[NikiterZTS]

Looking for a couple laptops to send over seas just for one work project that I deal with.

Needs to have RS232 ports and able to support Lab-View software.

Called BestBuy and Future Shop but this set up is pretty old school so they don't have it.

Should I contact DELL or IBM directly?

Thanks.

[Canadian ST]

This isn’t directly regarding your laptop question/purchase, but stay away from Dell if you ever intend on using there tech support.

We’ve had our Dell for 3 years and called Tech support on a couple occasions, I was put on hold for hours (literally) with out any of my concerns/problems dealt with.

[Gravter]

You see, that is odd... I've been dealing with Dell for the last 7 - 8 years and always had great support.
RS-232 might be hard to find on laptops, but I'm sure they are still available.

[NefCanuck]

The other issue, when you say you are sending the laptops "overseas" be sure to check that export laws allow you to send these overseas.

In response to your RS-232 requirement, that's very old school now, you may be forced to buy a USB to RS-232 adapter.

Otherwise you'd be looking at a place that sells refurbished laptops to find something like that cheaply (there are new RS-232 equipped laptops, but those tend to be niche machines now, EG: "rugged" machine = $$)

Other issue is what OS'es does the Lab View S/W run under?

NefCanuck

[Jmountney1]

i would think your best bet would be to just get a usb to rs-232 adapter like mentioned above.

i have used PLC and robots that have required rs-232 and the way we got around it was the usb adapter.

the only problem was some times the computer would not recognize what we were trying to do.

i have had my dell laptop for 2 years now and the tec support has been grate

they have installed a new keyboard and lots of other goodys and they even sent me a new free charger when my one broke even thow it was all most 2 years old.

[torradan]

USB-RS232 adapters aren't all the same.. you have to watch which you get.

I've tried 4 of them, and not all of the pins are "connected", so the device I was trying to do didn't work. I ended up buying the USB version of the device so I could control my trains :)

I heard the Cables to Go and the Keyspan USB-serial adapters are all good though (after the fact).

Dell support on the other hand... I prefer to speak with someone who spoke English. Called them once and that was enough.

[Scorcher000]

Dell suck balls, dirty, sweaty balls. I have 4 skids of old junks Dell pc's here waiting for Dell to come and send a truck to pick up. Spoke with a rep several times and the same story, I'll make sure it gets done lol. Were just gonna toss them. They will send you a new one quick and great service but the pick ups are out to lunch service.

[NikiterZTS]

Lots of usefule info in here......called the whole bunch of places and looks like id have to go with RS-232 via USB adaptor

[darkpuppet]

If you're looking at IBM Lappy's, I could probably hook you up with the friends and family deal.

$900 gets you a 2Ghz dual core machine with 15" screen, 100GB hdd, 2Gb RAM, etc etc... and something like 3 USB ports, so you can use RS232 adapters as well.

let me know if you're interested and I can hook ya up.