Notebook with Serial Port

[Khalil]

I am looking for a new notebook for a client that must have a 9 pin serial port on it.
Only brand I sell is Asus and they don't make one.

[LeftyAce]

The Thinkpad "ultrabase" has a serial port on it. It's a docking station that can be permenantly attached to the x-series laptops (and possibly others) turning the ultra-portables into something a bit closer to a full-fledged computer. It'll increase the weight, obviously, but the machines start at around 4 pounds. The bases add an optical drive, serial port, a bunch of usb ports, etc. Not sure if this link will work; they have a javascript-based navagation system...
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...DFEB639312E18E

[glc]

Won't a USB to serial adapter work?

http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cabl...6%2C1009%2C601

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by glc Won't a USB to serial adapter work? http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cabl...6%2C1009%2C601

I suggested that and a PCMIA card that has a serial port on it, the customer claims he tried all that on his current HP but the kind of equipment he hooks up to require it be on the motherboard.

[glc]

Even though it will show up as a numbered com port in device manager?

[Khalil]

He says on the HP it is not showing up at all. He is bringing it in tomorrow. I have one of the PCMIA serial adapters. Could be the laptop.

[Khalil]

Problem solved. It was the crappy HP laptop that was the problem. Tested some of his units on our Display Asus with the PCMIA to Serial card and they connected perfectly. On the HP, when you plug in the card, it sees it and same with the USB adapter however as soon as you connect anything to the serial port the laptop crashes. What a piece of garbage! It is still under HP "warranty" so I told him to call HP. I sold him an Asus F50SV. He now has a real warranty and support from us.

[Panama Red]

I know you have your issue solved but thought I'd just throw this out. I've had several customers experience difficulties when trying to use a serial to usb adapter with various products. I've substituted this adapter and it has worked every time. It's made specifically for PDA adapting and it's the one I use for my own old Palm PDA.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812107906

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by Panama Red I know you have your issue solved but thought I'd just throw this out. I've had several customers experience difficulties when trying to use a serial to usb adapter with various products. I've substituted this adapter and it has worked every time. It's made specifically for PDA adapting and it's the one I use for my own old Palm PDA. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812107906

Thanks Panamred, I will order a couple and keep them handy.