Laptop with RS232 port

Just wondering if anyone has purchase recently a laptop with an RS232 port? If so, what brand and model?

Thanks.

PS- I know about USB to DB9 adapters. Nothing beats a direct DB9 to DB9 connection.

 

There is still a few around

http://www.trustedreviews.com/lapto...Fujitsu-Siemens-LifeBook-E8210-3G-Notebook/p1

for example.

Google is your friend

Edit: Or this Dell

http://www.dell.com/us/en/enterpris...aspx?refid=laptop_latitude_e5500&cs=555&s=biz

 

Dell Precision M4300. Has 1 real serial port.

 

Thanks

My google skills must be getting rusty... universal serial bus (USB) is all I get when I search. I've looked at so many laptops (and their pictures) I was close to giving up on the trusty "real" serial port. Dell/Lenovo etc tech support either never gets back to me or dont know what it is.

Those Dells seem quite expensive for old technology.

 

If you like a particular laptop, but it doesnt have a DB9 RS232 serial port, you could always buy the port replicator for it, most of them still have serial ports. Although that Dell isn't THAT expensive.

 

Dell Latitude D630

 

Dell don't make the D630 anymore, so he would have to buy one second-hand. Then again, most second-hand laptops would have serial ports anyway if they are more than a couple of years old.

 

Looks like the Dell E5500 has a real serial port and is currently available for AU$1169 on-line.

 

And it also works with Windows 7 64 bit, you have to get the driver but a link is on their web page

 

Get a Pmcia card RS232 for your laptop !

 

PCMIA has somewhat been replace by Expresscards...

I was just looking at these and have seen quite a few negative reviews...

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16839104020

Does anyone use one of these Expresscards? What for?

In all honesty, most adapters I use work fine for CBus. However, being a system integrator there are many more uses for the serial port. One is for controlling RS232 controllable hifi components. This activity is important for products like Clipsal distributed Switch Automation.

 

The Dell E5500 is the only available one I've come across so far. There are some pretty average reviews on the web site about it.

Any other out there?

Is it worth it

 

True a proper serial is better but if you're just using send receive and ground then try one of the prolific based adapters (BAFO i think is the actual brand), they're blue and will work with most serial devices (touchscreens, cbus, other automation).

Will not work to connect to a modem or talk to devices that make use of carrier detect etc and other high and low bits.

Do not use an ATEN based device as the are dreadful and will give you no end of problems.

Sorry I don't know of a laptop with a genuine serial, its getting hard enough to find a desktop with one.

 

My searching has lead me to these (sharing is caring )

HP Probooks - 6430B and 6540B
Toshiba Tecra - A10 (slightly more pricey than HP)
Dell - E5500 (average reviews, but might be okay)

Harris Technology were very informative and knew what I was talking about. I'd have to recommend giving them a call.

HP told me the Probook 4510s does but have not found supporting evidence... it would be very appealing as it has full num pad, spill resistant keyboard and LED HD Anti-Glare. All useful features for programming and on site work (not ultra-portable but I don't mind).