Laptop with serial port built in? (RS-232)

[acole1]

I am looking for a new-build cheap laptop with a built in serial (RS-232) port.

Our maintenance department uses the serial port to communicate with our older manufacturing machines, and the software they use frequently doesn't recognize the USB adapters.

The only thing I could find so far is the Toughbook 52, but I doubt they would want to pay $1,200+ for it.

 

[Brainonska511]

Lenovo's X200 with the Ultrabase has a serial port

or try an ExpressCard serial port: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

 

[DaveSimmons]

It's a very niche feature now so outside of industrial laptops like the Toughbook you're probably going to need to look for old, off-lease laptops instead of new ones, at least if you want something cheap.

Check old Dell models like D600 or D610 here, just make sure the graphics are Intel or ATI not the defective nvidia:
http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/

 

[acole1]

Thanks! That's good info.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

You can also get a USB to RS232 adapter cable. That is what I use and it works fine. That might be your cheapest option.

 

[master7045]

Dell Inspiron 8600 have RS232 ports on them. I know b/c I am using one now. They are about 4/5 years old though. They came with an option of Pentium M procs configurable up to 2 GB of ram w/ a dedicated video card. Pretty powerful at the time, not sure if it would meet your needs today.
Oh and not all 8600 came with the RS232 port, I configured one for my brother about a year after I bought mine and his didn't come with it or a parallel port, but mine did.