StarTech.com PCI Serial Parallel Combo Card with Dual Serial RS232 Ports (DB9) & 1x Parallel LPT Port (DB25) - PCI Combo Adapter Card - PCI Expansion Card Controller - PCI to Printer Card

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

At **~£20 ex-VAT**, this is one of those “get it working today” parts. A StarTech PCI card that gives you **two serial (RS232) ports plus a single parallel (LPT)** can be genuinely useful in a small office that’s still tied to legacy gear—think older badge printers, label devices, barcode scanners, cash/scale interfaces, industrial sensors, or any admin/ops setup that refuses to move off old drivers. The value is less about performance and more about avoiding expensive replacements/migrations when you just need connectivity to keep workflows running.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it unless you’re sure you have a **real PCI desktop slot** and the right drivers for the operating system you’re using. Also, **£20 is “cheap for a reason”**—it’s not going to modernise anything, and parallel (LPT) support in particular can be temperamental depending on OS/driver stack and the printer’s expectations. If you’re on newer Windows builds or using a managed environment, check compatibility first; otherwise you can end up spending more time and money than it’s worth.

**Who should buy:** UK businesses with a legacy PCI desktop and a specific need for **RS232 + LPT** to keep existing hardware alive on a budget. **Who shouldn’t:** anyone on a modern PC without PCI, anyone looking for a forward-looking solution, or anyone without a confirmed driver/compatibility path.