StarTech.com 4 Port RS232 Mini PCI Express Serial Card w/ 16650 UART

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

If you need simple, low-cost serial ports for a specific machine, this StarTech 4‑port RS232 mini PCIe card is exactly the kind of “just make it work” component that’s hard to beat at **£33.47 ex‑VAT**. The big value here is price-to-function: you’re getting proper RS232 (not USB-to-serial via a random chipset on a cable) and a tidy 4‑port layout that’s useful for things like POS/industrial peripherals, legacy telemetry, network equipment console servers, or lab/industrial integration where RS232 is still the lingua franca. Using it is usually straightforward if your host actually supports the right mini PCIe slot and you’re ready to install drivers.

That said, it’s not for everyone. If your real requirement is “plug in and go” with no BIOS/slot headaches, or you’re hoping to replace a USB-to-serial dongle for random laptops, this can be a pain because it’s an internal mini PCIe card. Also, RS232 implementations can be picky about ground/reference/levels with certain devices—so if you’re dealing with noisy industrial environments, don’t assume this will magically outperform proper industrial cabling/isolators.

**Who should buy:** engineers/resellers supporting legacy equipment, workshops with spare mini PCIe-capable PCs, and anyone who needs four RS232 ports cheaply and reliably. **Who shouldn’t:** teams standardising on USB for convenience, or anyone without confirmed mini PCIe availability/driver support—those folks will be happier with an external USB serial solution.