Cheap laptop with serial port?

SuiCid3 · 17th December 2008, 6:51 AM

Looking for around 5-10 new or used laptops.
Something cheap... preferably under $1000, budget can be stretched if needed. new or used doesn't really matter as long they are semi-reliable and has a serial port. Cosmetics aren't too much of an issue.

Any ideas on where to get some?
Thought I'd post up what I'm looking for while I do my own research.

bioxeed · 17th December 2008, 10:17 AM

Does it absolutely have to have a serial port? Wouldn't you be able to get something more easily (and cheaply) if you just got a normal laptop and then a USB to Serial port adapter?

SuiCid3 · 17th December 2008, 10:28 AM

Yep.
Serial port is a definite requirement as some of the applications required won't work with any known adapters.

I've found some sites that stock some older models but just need to sort through them.
http://laptop.com.au/index.php/cPath/1
http://www.recompute.com.au/c/laptops/115.html

bioxeed · 17th December 2008, 10:40 AM

Bugger. That makes it more diffcult. Though there are also pcmcia cards and expresscards that you can get. Dunno how compatibility would be with your apps though. And some of the cards aren't exactly cheap either.

Tony · 17th December 2008, 10:44 AM

look at the very latest dell latitudes

mine has a com port

17th December 2008, 6:51 AM	#1
SuiCid3 Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 2007 Posts: 1,606	Cheap laptop with serial port? Looking for around 5-10 new or used laptops. Something cheap... preferably under $1000, budget can be stretched if needed. new or used doesn't really matter as long they are semi-reliable and has a serial port. Cosmetics aren't too much of an issue. Any ideas on where to get some? Thought I'd post up what I'm looking for while I do my own research. __________________ 'To be pleased with one's limits is a wretched state' - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

17th December 2008, 10:17 AM	#2
bioxeed Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Acid Lab Posts: 3,155	Does it absolutely have to have a serial port? Wouldn't you be able to get something more easily (and cheaply) if you just got a normal laptop and then a USB to Serial port adapter? __________________ http://bioxeed.org - hard techno and such Dystopia - Jack In. Kick Arse. Ouches - "I don't care if the headphones look like 2 cane toads stapled to my head as long as they do the business"

17th December 2008, 10:28 AM	#3
SuiCid3 Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 2007 Posts: 1,606	Yep. Serial port is a definite requirement as some of the applications required won't work with any known adapters. I've found some sites that stock some older models but just need to sort through them. http://laptop.com.au/index.php/cPath/1 http://www.recompute.com.au/c/laptops/115.html __________________ 'To be pleased with one's limits is a wretched state' - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

17th December 2008, 10:40 AM	#4
bioxeed Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Acid Lab Posts: 3,155	Bugger. That makes it more diffcult. Though there are also pcmcia cards and expresscards that you can get. Dunno how compatibility would be with your apps though. And some of the cards aren't exactly cheap either. __________________ http://bioxeed.org - hard techno and such Dystopia - Jack In. Kick Arse. Ouches - "I don't care if the headphones look like 2 cane toads stapled to my head as long as they do the business"

17th December 2008, 10:44 AM	#5
Tony Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,915	look at the very latest dell latitudes mine has a com port __________________ "Nowadays things are completely different, and auto makers are much more global in structure. Its difficult to see ANY new car these days as the product of any one company or country. There are honourable exceptions that prove this rule though. The R32, R33 and R34 series Skylines were the babies of an intensely focused faction inside Nissan, a group who still feel their heritage & family tree come from the Prince regime of ex-aircraft engineers who were really serious about racing and making great cars. Sadly, this group now seems to be feeling pressure to change." I drive a stock R33 non turbo automatic Skyline - 120kW at the wheels! OCAU Nissan Skyline Club Member