Laptop with serial port

Sone · 4 Jul 2011 at 09:03

Appart from the Toshiba Tecra does anyone still make a laptop with a built in 9pin serial port?

edscdk · 4 Jul 2011 at 09:08

you can buy USB to serial thingies...

Sone · 4 Jul 2011 at 09:16

always have problems with those, have to connect to old gas anaylsers and have differing settings. Have no problems with the tecras but usb converters always have niggly issues.

paradigm · 4 Jul 2011 at 09:59

We buy Tecras for the same reason, not come across anything that fits the bill other than those.

Sone · 4 Jul 2011 at 10:48

Just having problems getting an A11 from anywhere thats not silly money. Paid around £470 last month but now all are £800ish :eek:

paradigm · 4 Jul 2011 at 11:09

I know, EoL really does ruin prices

EDIT: what about just getting any laptop with a PC Card slot, and a PC Card serial adapter? That way it's proper hardware RS232 rather than USB emulated?

Sone · 4 Jul 2011 at 13:14

managed to find an old model for £399 + vat. Used to use pc card adapters but the ones with cables the guys always lose them and the one with built in ports get damaged.

paradigm · 4 Jul 2011 at 13:56

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and move from them.

We don't need them for the Serial port, more because we have a stack of docking stations for them and it beats paying £130~ for a new docking station for a new laptop just because they decided to change the sodding port on the bottom.

Sone · 4 Jul 2011 at 14:53

for what they cost seem pretty good, also the sat pros in the the same chassis minus the serial port.

Not going to set the world on fire but decent well built machines