serial port needed in a T42/T43

[z.entropic]

I have a heavily used 3-yr-old T23 2647-2TU, a 1 GHz, 512MB 768x1024 14.1" workhorse with no serious problems to report (well, the box cracked at the usual stress point over the PCMCIA push buttons and the paint has peeled off the metal plates over the memory and processor compartments). However, I need a faster machine and a longer battery life (both the original and replacement (Chinese) 6-cell packs give me barely 2 hours of run time).

I'm thinking of replacing it with a 1.7-1.8 GHz T42 w/ a 40GB HD, 256+512 MB memory and a 14.1" 768x1024 screen (I really don't care for, and don't need, higher-res screens). One complication is that I use at work several pieces of oldish HP measurement equipment that talk to my T23 via an RS-232 serial port.

What would be the best models to consider? Wireless performance (g) and compatibility is important. What options do I have to connect to my instruments via an RS-232 after an upgrade to a T42?

z.entropic

[jdhurst]

First, may I suggest you get the 60Gb 7200 rpm drive with that machine, CPU and memory. I also assume the 1.8Ghz CPU will be the Dothan. Nice fast machine if you do that.

If your software to talk to the oldish HP equipment runs in XP, then you can use a USB -> Serial converter. Works fine - been there, done that (but not specifically with HP gear).

I have a situation with a client where the software will not run in XP but will run in Windows 98. Windows 98 (any version) does not and will not support USB 2 (which is what a T41/42/43 has) and so that will not work. In my case, the client keeps the service people outfitted with T30's where the USB ports are Version 1.1. (They run Windows 98 as a VMware guest - I am not suggesting you run your host machine as Windows 98).

... JD Hurst

[KillaByte]

You could get your hands on a port replicator II - the "hidden" RS232-port of the T42 can be accessed through it (well - if you want a mobile RS232-port you would have to go for a USB<->RS232 adapter)

[z.entropic]

Thanks for the suggestions and case report; somehow I didn't think of this obvious port adapter solution and have not googled for it...

I'm not sure if I really need a 7200 rpm drive; I value more quiet, energy efficient, better priced accessories than the latest and newest. When I looked at the various drive options on the IBM site, I didn't see any 7200 rpm drives for a T42p; all seem to be 5600 or less (for the 8200 rpm drive). Were you speaking of a T43(p) perhaps?

Also, is there a rapid-entry options matrix somewhere where I would plug in my requirements/wishes and a corresponding model(s) would pop up? IBM's page is tedious to use and it's easy to get lost in their myriad of types... An example of my specs would be T42p, 1.8GHz, 512MB, 60MB/5400 HD, 14.1" XGA/Samsung, 802.11b+g/IBM, FP, CD-RW/DVD-R. To what model do these specs correspond, and how to find out this info?

z.entropic