Need laptop with serial port

[king nero]

I need a new laptop, but found very little that still have a real serial port.

For the Siemens Step 7 software, is it really necesarry to have a com port, or would a USB-to-serial device work?

 

[Controls_Engineer79]

i think USB-serial is pretty relyable now - theres one for sale on this site that the guys on here swear by - seems to work with every plc model

 

[LadderLogic]

This would be a more reliable option than any USB-serial converter.

http://www.socketserial.com/product.htm

 

[BobB]

This would be a more reliable option than any USB-serial converter.

As long as the darn thing stays in the slot! Gave them away as they keep falling out of the slot in the laptop.
Gone back to USB/232 converters.

 

[controlled]

Siemens has a USB version of the MPI adaptor. part number 6es7972-ocb20-oxao

 

[ndzied1]

As long as the darn thing stays in the slot! Gave them away as they keep falling out of the slot in the laptop.
Gone back to USB/232 converters.

Sounds like a good application for duct tape.

 

[Muzza]

Try these.... We're slowly changing over to them and have had a good run. Whilst USB to serial converters are getting better, there's still no substitute for a real serial port if you can get one.

Clients who we've recommended them to are also happy..

Also available with 3G modems built in if required.

Cheers,
Muz

 

[geniusintraining]

You can just buy a USB-MPI cable....

I have a few PCMCIA (MPI/Profibus) cards that work good

or.... Not sure what you think about eBay but I just bought a Dell D630 and it has a real seial port and it cost about the same as the PCMCIA card

 

[Paullys50]

I'll recommend an ebay Dell D830.

They are the great all around for our business I think. Serial, PCMCIA, ExpressCard slot and it will probably still come with XP. Get a high end dual core version and you'll be good for a few more years.

 

[sampsag]

I have HP 6730b. Serial port is included and i have installed XP to it.
I use daily; Step 7, Wincc flexible 2008 + microwin and everything is running fine...

 

[LadderLogic]

As long as the darn thing stays in the slot! Gave them away as they keep falling out of the slot in the laptop.
Gone back to USB/232 converters.

Well, I actually have a different problem: once I have put the thing in the slot, I cannot get it out - it just stays there, too tight. That is a ThinkPad T61.

I kind of thought these PCMCIA/PC Card slots were standardized long time ago.

 

[chud]

I have HP 6730b. Serial port is included and i have installed XP to it.
I use daily; Step 7, Wincc flexible 2008 + microwin and everything is running fine...

got the same pc and so far so good. Got vista and 98 running on it throught simulator and the port works fine on both for all my plc's.

 

[Jobbe]

I use a Dell Precision M4400 laptop with a port replicator. This COM port works fine for S5 and WAGO PLC's.
For S7 I use the CP5512 PCMCIA card, but there is also a USB to Profibus/MPI adapter wich u can use.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=430-3115

 

[Arun]

I use DELL Latitude D830.

Works fine since a year.

 

[gas]

I have a new (sort of) machine with most of my stuff on it and no serial port.
I also went to computer store and had the guy look in the back room for a "95" machine. It has a real serial port and I can also boot up DOS. I have some customers that still run old PLCs and Screens.