When the iMac and Macintosh computer systems decided to go with the USB interface port over the old serial port, some Mac owners were a little upset. Previous Mac computers had serial ports for printers and other peripherals
The USA-28X from Keyspan fits into one USB port and provides 2 serial interface ports to enable use of your original Mac peripherals
Easily plugs into a USB port on an iMac, iBook, current G4 Macintosh
Draws its power from the USB connection -- a power adapter is not required
Provides two RS-422 mini-DIN8 ports
Editorial Review:
Product DescriptionAdds 2 Serial Ports to an iMac or new Macintosh G3 or G4 Computer System Manufacturer's 5 Year Limited Warranty
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Serial technology is still alive on the Macintosh!
I am a software developer for a Point-of-Sale program that is used by thousands of stores. We have relied on the Keyspan 28x for years to provide us with compatibility with the older RS-232 technology. Even today, 6 years after Apple stopped producing Macs with serial ports and replaced them with USB, the computer industry and the peripheral industry lagged behind. Now, there are many peripherals that support USB, but there are still many used and new RS-232 and RS-422 devices that the Keyspan ... Read More
Rating: - Good, but does not work in OSX with an old printer...
I mistakenly purchased this product to use with an ibook for printing in OSX AND CLASSIC with an old Apple Laserwriter 300. Bad news: because the old printer does not have software for OSX, I cannot use the adapter with OSX! This adapter works easily with my old printer in the "classic" mac OS on my ibook; however, printing is very slow. So if you want to use an old printer with both OSX and Classic OS, forget about this product.
Rating: - Works well with any USB equipped mac.
The description ."...for Mac Imac and Blue G3" is misleading, probably dating from when those were the latest and only USB macs available. Fact is, it works flawlessly to provide two working serial ports with any USB equpped mac.
I found that I could use my ancient serial printer from my grey G4 tower without even reading the documentation. I could print from any classic application, either running in the Classic environment, or when booting OS9. I was even able to use classic printer ... Read More
Rating: - Bad C/S support makes adapter worthless
I have the original serial adapter. Keyspan has never updated their software so that it works with MacOS (9.0 - 9.2). Software conflicts with all peripherals, creates networking problems. I've tried contacting Keyspan to find a solution, but they don't respond to customer emails.
Rating: - Great and functional device
This adapter allows printers w/ regular serial connections to be hooked up via/ usb to an imac, b&w G3, g4 or cube. It comes w/ all necessary drivers but you must order the proper Serial cable if you do not have one. On keyspan.com their is a great list of supported printers. Other then the print deskjetdirect for networks this is the best solution for hooking up older printers or non usb printers to new apple computers.
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Electronics : Keyspan USA-28x External USB to Serial Adapter
- Serial technology is still alive on the Macintosh!
- Good, but does not work in OSX with an old printer...
- Works well with any USB equipped mac.
- Bad C/S support makes adapter worthless