Re: parallel port finally obsolete?

The company I worked for before I retired used laptop computers connected to external test equipment via the parallel port. We had several instances of some problem causing damage to the port, and in a laptop this is hard to repair and expensive to replace. My preference is to obtain a cheap desktop computer, most likely used, and install a parallel port adapter card in one of the expansion ports. Then if you blow up the port, it is cheap and easy to replace the card and be running again soon. Of course you can use opto-isolated parallel port hardware and have reasonable protection with the laptop if you prefer.
Bob

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