mystery laptop port

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we prefer "percussionist"
Member Since: Jul 21, 2004

Not a music question, but I can't find an answer for my latest obsession anwhere else!

Most laptops I've seen have a port on the back that looks like the male end of a monitor port. The marking for it is 2 circles inside a rectangle. I've never known anyone to use it. Anybody know what I've been missing out on all these years?

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 05, 2006 04:54 pm

I don't know the symbol, but is it possible for a docking station?

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Jul 05, 2006 06:14 pm

It's just a serial port. Old school, obsolete, yet still included for some odd reason.

we prefer "percussionist"
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004


Jul 06, 2006 04:21 pm

And here I thought I'd get to spend $$ on some great new accessory I couldn't live without!

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Jul 06, 2006 04:36 pm

Well how else are you gonna hook up that serial 9600 baud modem for blazing fast download speeds ;)

Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002


Jul 06, 2006 08:16 pm

well people into home robotics still use them... apparently it's easy to program for... and never used by anything else... :)

oh and I'm pretty sure the patent is expired... which is always important...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 06, 2006 09:22 pm

Yep, I sitll have some controls out in the field that have serial com ports on em. We still keep a couple old laptops just for that reason. Although a fewe of our newest ones still have serial ports on em.

Member
Since: Nov 23, 2005


Jul 06, 2006 10:29 pm

Speaking of Laptops, anyone got any suggestions on who makes the best all around laptop now. Toshiba ? Compaq ? I may be in the market for my first before the end of this year. Should I wait a while ? It would be used for typical stuff as well as mild to light-heavy music production. Also, anyone here ever build their own laptop ?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 06, 2006 10:30 pm

I hate the word "best"...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 06, 2006 11:31 pm

AlienWare www.alienware.com

Just read a review in a computer music mag and they are among the top right now. And their pricing structure is very comparable. Slightly higher for the fancy looking ones though.

Conjurer of Emotion
Member
Since: Jan 14, 2006


Jul 06, 2006 11:52 pm

My friend has an alienware laptop. I can't speak for its performance over other laptops really, but I noticed that it was quite durable physically.

Member
Since: Nov 23, 2005


Jul 07, 2006 01:13 am

I'm looking for a skateboard / laptop ! Thanks Noize . Rad.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Jul 07, 2006 12:12 pm

If your not looking for a superior gaming laptop, I can honestly reccomend the HP's. Thin, light and very rugged, I had the 8230.

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