Search MilitaryCAC: Site Map

.com | .us | .ml  | .mobi | .net | .org The Definitive Source for Everything CAC Common Access Card help for your Personal Computer

STEP 1c & 2c:  CAC READERS FOR LAPTOP COMPUTERS

CAC Readers are available for your laptop.

 Click the pictures below to find online businesses selling it

NOTE:  'Most' new laptops do not have these slots anymore, so, if you are upgrading in the near future, I'd recommend you look for a USB type instead (like the first one shown below).

ONCE YOU'VE DECIDED WHICH READER YOU ARE GOING TO PURCHASE AND / OR DOWNLOADED THE DRIVER, PROCEED TO STEP 3

NOTICE:  The links to vendors / products is an attempt to save you time searching for the specific item, by linking you directly to the item shown.  You will notice I have multiple [when I can find] vendors to choose from.  I have no personal preference as to who you decide to purchase from.  I am not endorsing any particular product or vendor, I'm merely informing you what works and where you can purchase a CAC reader from.

These first 2 readers are not specifically for laptops, but are the smallest readers I've found.  Also, know that a lot of the newer laptops are not coming with PCMCIA or ExpressCard slots anymore, so USB is the way to go for future.

SCR-3500 Smart fold mini USB Smart Card Reader

Mac Friendly

Note: There is another SCR-3500 reader being sold with a Part number different from the original 905141 (sometimes shows as SCR-3500A P/N:905430-1).  If you are a Mac user, install this updated driver.  Hold the control key [on your keyboard] when clicking the .pkg file [with your mouse], select [the word] Open

ACR38U-TFC Pocket Mate Smart Card Reader

Information from manufacturer (including drivers)

Mac [10.5 - 10.10] friendly after this update (except when using Firefox)

For computers with USB Type-C connections

ACR39U-NF Pocket Mate II Smart Card Reader

Information from manufacturer (including drivers)

Mac friendly after this update (except when using Firefox)

If you have an available ExpressCard slot on your laptop, you can purchase one that will fit in the slot.

Lenovo GemPlus ExpressCard Smart Card CAC Reader (works with XP, Vista, 7, 8 / 8.1, & 10)  Drivers available from Gemalto's website

SCR 3340 ExpressCard CAC reader driver (includes Windows 8) FIRMWARE UPDATE follow instructions

CardMan Mobile 4321 Mobile ExpressCard Smart Card CAC reader driver (works with Windows Vista & 7)  I hope you are not running one of these old Non support Windows Operating Systems)

Cherry SR-4300 ExpressCard CAC reader driver (works with Windows Vista & 7)

If your laptop slot looks like the one below, you have a PCMCIA slot not ExpressCard

SCR243 PCMCIA Smart Card CAC reader driver  (now includes Windows 7)  FIRMWARE UPDATE look at instructions

SCR201 PCMCIA Smart Card CAC reader driver (now includes Windows 7) FIRMWARE UPDATE look at instructions

SR-4044 PCMCIA Smart Card reader driver

Instructions for a successful installation of the CAC Reader drivers

"Antique" Readers

The manufacturers have abandoned support for these readers. 

Use at your own risk!!

.

.

The CAC readers below "might" work with Windows XP but NOT Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, or Mac OS X.  This is partly because they will not read the PIV II CACs (GEMALTO TOP DL GX4 144, GEMALTO DLGX4-A 144, G&D FIPS 201 SCE 3.2, and Oberthur ID One 128 v5.5 Dual) and they [the manufacturers] haven't provided any firmware updates to read the newer CACs.

The simplest solution is for you is to get a modern vendor supported CAC reader above this section

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GemPlus GPR400 PCMCIA Smart Card reader  32 bit driver  64 bit driver  alternate driver

Windows XP users may need this driver

Alternate driver download locations:

Envoy Data

SCM Microsystems

HID Global

OTHER TYPES OF READERS TO CONSIDER

Desktop computer reader

External USB type A CAC reader

External USB type C CAC reader

USB keyboards with built-in CAC reader