PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. It refers to a standard for peripheral interface devices for laptops and other portable computers. The PCMCIA standard allows for the use of memory cards and other devices, such as modems and network cards, to expand the functionality of a computer. Originally developed in the 1990s, PCMCIA cards are now largely replaced by ExpressCard and USB interfaces. However, they played a significant role in the evolution of portable computing, enabling users to easily add hardware features without needing to open the computer.