Buying new computer - Which ones have RS232?

[308guru]

I'm due for a new notebook for maintaining/programming PLC's. We've been partial to the IBM T41& T42's in the past. They'be been great. Nothing new seems to have RS232 though. You still get the good 'ol parallel port so I can connect to a vintage printer. Sweet. Any recommendations?

[Crossbow]

Most vendors have begun to use USB for their programming connections. Mitsubishi offers USB connection on the FX3U, Q02H and above, GOT1000, MR-J3 servos, and A700 VFDs. So you wouldn't need a serial port for those. As for a PC without, the USB-Serial adapter recommended for Mitsubishi products is the Keyspan USA-16HS or USA-19W. I've also had good success with the CP Technologies CP-US-03. The Keyspan is like $35 from CDW and the CP one is about $10 from TigerDirect.com. I know some Dell Lattitude laptops still have serial ports. Not the cheaper Inspiron ones though.

[panic mode]

"consumer grade" laptops don't have RS232 anymore. "business edition" laptops do. pick brand and check, they all will still have it. i'm using dell latitude (don't go for inspiron, it is "consumer....").

[Colin Carpenter]

Panasonic Toughbooks all have them ... check out the CF50 and the CF51 which are "ruggedised" office laptops (shock mounted drives etc) with out being monstrously expensive like some of their top of the range offerings. They're built for people like us who use laptops in the strangest places, and they have a "proper" battery condition monitor that works. Definitely the best buy I ever made in the laptop world.

[Big Country]

Dell offers a very nice one that has rs232, although you have to ask for it specfically. You get all the new technology with the old com port.