Sorry, out for dinner. Under $1700 would be good, under $900 would be awesome. I haven't tried the Expresscard adapters, though that is a good thought. Keep in mind though that I really want a supported configuration, which I believe requires a non-adaptered DB9 port.
Well since ur going with old antiquated i/o, thought I should ask, cause originally like parallel (or scsi connectors for Mac
) they were all 25pin. Lots of older scientific/instrument equip still use that craptastic old 25pin config.
Umm, don't know if it's internally just a USB to serial port adaptation or has the real UART controller inside, I"m just not knowledgeable enough on those things...so you would be wise to call tech support, and get a definitive answer b4 u purchase such a laptop.
Google is ur friend
... or, I don't get paid enough for these simple searches on dialup...how bout as a reward, paying for 2yrs of 3G modem data plan for my laptop
?
Verizon's new Pre or Pixi smartphone deal (cause they got's tons of unsold product in Palm's inventory) will cost me only $30-50 for the phone, and I get free Wi-Fi hotspot (means I can use the phone as an web access point), in the deal...but the min service plan is $30/mo for 450min...now does that count for the usage of the teethered data device (laptop) usage, including the 450min talk time, or is it separate? Can I make & receive simultaneous voice & data, so I can drop my land line#? If so, then it's an addtional $40/mo for the smartphone data plan... ie. $70/mo, which is better than paying and additional $40 for tethering data plan, but still too much 4 me
.
But I digress,
Dell 5500 (only one on their site I can see) has a 9pin connector on it's side panel, right next to the VGA 15pin connector. Click on 'Tech Specs' tab, and U can scroll down the page for list of ports which does state "serial". But, d/l the pdf of specs on the 5500 & 5400 and in ports section, it does not list 'serial'. Call an verify.
Latitude E5500 - Laptop | Dell
^click on images/features pix to see ports on one side.
Accessories on Dell's site:
STARTECH.COM 2-Port Native ExpressCard RS232 Serial Adapter Card with 16952 UART : Networking | Dell
This 2 Port ExpressCard-based Serial Card lets you add 2 RS232 serial ports to your laptop or ExpressCard equipped desktop computer, using an available ExpressCard slot.Featuring 128-byte FIFO communication, and a high performance 16C950 UART, the ExpressCard Serial Adapter card offers up to 460Kbps data transfer rates, which ensures peak communication with your serial peripheral devices.The serial card is designed based on a single-chip architecture (as opposed to cards that use a "bridge chip"), providing native PCI Express communication for greater performance and reliability, as well as reduced power consumption and CPU load.Compatible with ExpressCard 34mm and ExpressCard 54mm card slots, the 2 Port Serial ExpressCard includes a slot spacer for greater security while installed in 54mm slots.
Manufacturer Part# : EC2S952
Dell Part# : A3112714
^currently out of stock
From this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2256905/posts
^they mention Thinkpad T43/42's, which can still be bought 'new' apparently, though long discontinued I believe.
via these search terms:
laptop built in serial I/O port
