I need a serial port on new laptop....

BugBlaster

For work I need to upgrade laptop, but it will need to have a serial port set as port 1 to 4, due to the old software setup constraints within the products I am servicing. Any thoughts on what models are out there at the mo? I have tried to use a USB-serial converter but these mostly seem to default to port 5. i would appreciate any help on this. Ta

TontoMurphy

If you're running XP you should be able to change the port number. Go into device manager, select the port that has picked up with the USB convertor, click advanced and change to a free port between 1-4

Wisesmurf

i have a new toshiba laptop. I was messing around with it the other night and popped off a cover covering a serial port to my surprise.
I'm not sure what model it is, i'll get that later for you. what specs do you need. My laptop aint peticularly high-end but is powerful enough.

TontoMurphy

i'm using a Compaq nc6320. It has a serial port on the side...

Tom Dunne

I was adamant new laptops don't come with serial ports, until somebody set me straight on this very forum.

I can't remember the model, but some Dells have them.

Paddyo

The Toshiba Tecra M5 has a serial port

Paddyo

BugBlaster

The spec of the laptop does not have to be great, the software currently runs happily on win98 450mhz speed machhhhhinnnnneeee

legs11

i got a usb serial conv with drivers if you want it? send a pm..

MarkR

Ditto. Prolific something or other. You should be able to change the port number in device manager anyway.

cargo

A lot of Dells have serial ports as standard. It's one of the reasons they are so popular at work here. The Latitude D610 definelty has one.

I would check the specs on the website though as they tend to produce newer models cheaper and lighter so something has to give and the reliable old serial port is a bit out of fashion these days (unless you're an I.T. or Telco nerd!!)

BugBlaster

Search results:
Dell Latitude D610 - Sorry!
Apologies we do not sell this product anymore.
Please have a look at the latest range of Dell Latitude Notebooks available.

ugh!

any more thoughts?
ta

Obelisk29

The Dell Latitudes D520, D620 and D820 all have serial ports as standard.

cargo

Yep, can second that. Just seen a D520 with one guy in work and it has a serial port.

The D610 is just discontinued. (presume D620 is it's newer brother)

thebman

The D820 does:
http://i.dell.com/images/global/products/flash/latitd820/swf/en/ie/index.swf?flashFeed=http%3a%2f%2fwww1.euro.dell.com%2fcontent%2fpublic%2fflashfeed.aspx%3fc%3die%26l%3den%26s%3dbsd%26id%3dlatit_d820&country=ie&language=en&segment=bsd&customerSet=iebsdt1&contentPath=overview&xmlPath=xml%2fen%2fie%2fbsd%2f&videoPath=video%2fen%2fie%2fbsd%2f&imagesPath=images%2fen%2fie%2fbsd%2f&swfPath=swf%2fen%2fie%2f&containerURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww1.euro.dell.com%2Fcontent%2Fproducts%2Ffeaturesdetails.aspx%2Flatit_d820%3Fc%3Die%26l%3Den%26s%3Dbsd%26cs%3Diebsdt1%26~lt%3Dpopup

You can see it if you rotate the laptop in that Flash image.

I have a D810 and its similar to the D820. If its anything like my laptop, its well built and has never given me any problems. I used it for my 4th year project in my computer science course. Cycling in I was knocked off my bike and landed on the laptop and it has never given a single problem.

Obviously look up the D820 for known issues but I'm very happy with my laptop anyway.