Branners Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nicholas Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitesupraboy2 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I have found the USB to com port adapters work well with Hex editor applications for flashing chips. You normally have to ask software manufacturers if its compatable with these adapters though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Failing that I have 30 odd fujitsu lifebooks with com ports you're welcome to one How much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nicholas Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 How much? it's an offer for one to help out a fellow club member so nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 3, 2007 Author Share Posted October 3, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edd_t Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 i use a COM to USB converter, works fine. Other than that cant you usually get Dell to custom build one with a com port. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 it's an offer for one to help out a fellow club member so nothing Oh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Mine has one, its a dell laptop latitude D620 very nice laptop tbh and quick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nicholas Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 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.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBDJ Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Dell 620 has a serial port...that might have been superceeded now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2 MSW Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Just bought an old tosh off ebay with a true com port on the back for work when configuring switches - £40 bargin and it works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I use a usb adaptor with mine to talk to my AEM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 FWIW the eManage has issues with adaptors, sometimes they work sometimes they don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabs Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 All the DELLS we use and order here at work have COM ports: Basically the D600/D610/D620 range, or you can go more powerful with the Precision Laptops, but they are big and heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 Seems the Dell D520 also has a com port so thats one I will take a closer look at. JB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBDJ Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 or you can go more powerful with the Precision Laptops, but they are big and heavy. My Precision M90 doesn't have one Big and heavy is an understatement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Just checked the model number on my laptop and its a HP nc6000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovervi Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 was going to say, just ordered a couple of D520's and they have, NBD support with Dell never had a problem with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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