Serial to USB Adapter

Do you need a serial to USB adapter? Many new computers, especially laptops, come equipped with several USB ports for connection to printers, scanners, modems and other devices that use a USB connection.

These new computers are called legacy-free because they don’t have the traditional serial ports that older computers have offered in the past. Hence, many people these days need a serial to USB adapter. 

There are several reasons that computer manufacturers stopped adding serial ports to new computers. They were seen as causing problems, as they interrupted the functioning of the computer, especially a laptop computer.

Unfortunately, serial ports are necessary for legacy devices. GPS’s, (global positioning systems), and PDA’s, (personal digital assistants), utilize a serial port to transfer information with your computer or to charge off your computer. 

To solve the problem, experts say, the user in need of a serial port on a computer that does not come equipped with one will have to buy a serial to USB adapter (known interchangeably as a USB to serial adapter).    When purchasing serial to USB adapters, a user will find they are available from several different sources, including links from this site. They are not expensive; many start at around $30.

A serial to USB port adapter should have a USB connector on one end. This is the end of the adapter that will be connected to your computer. The other end of the adapter will have a functioning serial port.

All standard adapters come with these two ends that “reverse” your computer and make it compatible with serial port devices. The adapter should come with software that installs the driver devices on your computer for the serial to USB adapter. 

It is important to make sure the USB to serial adapter you buy has a return policy. Some software that is sold with adapters will not work on some computers. Make sure you have the option to test the adapter on your computer.