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laptops with com ports...anybody still sell them?


Branners

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Im tracking down a laptop for a friend who needs a true com port on board as from what I can see all the add in PCMCIA cards dont talk nicely to diagnostic software.

 

Can anybody recommend a good laptop with a com port, or have details on any com port cards that do actually work with diagnostic software?

 

Price range for the laptop is £450 to about £900.

 

JB

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Guest Nicholas

you'll struggle Branners I use a PCMCIA to RS232 and it works fine with all diagnostic software I use for our systems that still have a com interface.

 

Failing that I have 30 odd fujitsu lifebooks with com ports you're welcome to one :)

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you'll struggle Branners I use a PCMCIA to RS232 and it works fine with all diagnostic software I use for our systems that still have a com interface.

 

Failing that I have 30 odd fujitsu lifebooks with com ports you're welcome to one :)

 

Hi, whats the spec on the lifebooks as that might just meet their needs?

 

Do you have the model details for the PCMCIA to RS232 adapter as the last one I purchased just wouldnt play ball with a bar code reader?

 

JB

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Guest Nicholas
Hi, whats the spec on the lifebooks as that might just meet their needs?

 

Do you have the model details for the PCMCIA to RS232 adapter as the last one I purchased just wouldnt play ball with a bar code reader?

 

JB

 

Specs here branners: -

 

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Fujitsu_Siemens_LifeBook_B2154__5375994

 

I'll dig out my card and have a look for you..

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I've also been using a USB to RS232 adapter for various things as well, including ECU mapping, managing voice and data equipment, mobile phones etc...

 

The best I have found personally are cables based on the Prolific 2303 - mine has yet to let me down at all. I tested a couple of others - including a Belkin one that had a couple of strange oddities when trying to manage various devices.

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We use HP with onboard RS232, we need them for various device configurations, also makes it easier for working on my AEM ;)

 

They also have 1gb net, 802.11g and bluetooth etc, only complaint is the low screen res of 1024x768, not ideal for gaming on quiet afternoons :D

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Perhaps I've misread the thread, but are you only looking for as laptop to interface with an EMB? If so, there is a simple £10 solution to this which converts the serial output to USB.

 

does it work though? I have seen and heard of problems with the converters to RS232 and it needs to be reliable and not mess about otherwise I get a call asking me to fix it.

 

JB

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Just checked the model number on my laptop and its a HP nc6000.

 

thanks Wez, the NC6000 is a laptop Im familiar with, but its old stock now and has been superceeded twice, I think the replacement now is the NC6400 which I dont think has a COM port.

 

The Dell should do nicely, I know the Dell reliability is good, their support is a little iffy but it should make a good laptop.

 

JB

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