You could try using a USB to serial converter for the hardware thus vmwere access the USB port and volia, your windows app has a serial port. Here is the first item on the google search http://sewelldirect.com/usbtoserial.asp Also I did not see a serial port on the spec sheet you provided. On Fri, 2008-12-05 at 14:55 -0700, Stephen wrote: > There is also the netbook option, newegg has a specific category for > them. Linux compatability has been good so far. > > On 12/5/08, jdawg wrote: > > I am in the market for a reasonable laptop. I went to some local places, > > and I think I can get more laptop for the money online. > > > > Background: > > > > After about 10 years, I will be forced to do a dual boot situation > > instead of scrapping windows and just install linux. > > Linux will be my main OS 99% vs. 1% M$. > > > > The reason I can't run Windows in a VM, is that I need to access the > > serial port in it. I got some software that will access the serial port > > to upload/download data between my Ham radio, and the Windows application. > > > > I need to keep the purchase to around 500.00 mark or less. > > I know this config will work with Windows, my question is does anyone > > see anything here that won't work with linux. > > I really don't have time to research this, so I was wondering if anyone > > had any experience with this laptop or similar that would be difficult? > > See below for the specs: > > > > Jerry > > > > I have found this: > > Dell Inspiron 1525 Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0GHz 3GB 250GB DVD±RW 15.4" Vista > > Home Basic (Blossom Pattern) > > > > Part #: BLM-DELL-1525-5-R > > Warranty: 1 Year Direct > > Condition: Refurbished > > Packaging: Factory Box > > Ship Weight: 10 lbs > > Manufacturer: Dell > > MFG Part #: Model #: Inspiron 1525 > > Supported By: www.dell.com > > > > Qualifies for $1.99 shipping when you spend over $49.99 > > Use code: SAVEMONEY during checkout! > > Your Price: $559.99 > > Qty > > > > > > Get Inspired and compute on the go with this Dell Inspiron 1525! The > > Dell Inspiron 1525 15.4-inch widescreen notebook is packed with > > essential features in a slim, compact and blossom pattern design! > > > > This Dell Inspiron 1525 is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0 GHz > > processor and 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM. There's a 250 GB hard drive that provides > > ample storage space for plenty of music, games, photos, critical data > > and much more! Plus, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic comes > > pre-installed. > > > > Access CD and DVD media, backup large amounts of data, and burn CDs and > > DVDs with ease with the DVD±RW drive. Connect to the Internet via the > > 56K modem, integrated Ethernet, or go wireless and connect via the > > integrated wireless LAN. > > > > There are plenty of I/O ports including HDMI, USB and S-Video for > > connecting to a TV. Watch movies, work on spreadsheets, and browse the > > Internet on the stunning 15.4-inch widescreen display. Affordable > > portable computing can be yours with this Dell Inspiron 1525 15.4-inch > > widescreen notebook! > > > > > > By law, California shipments of this product are subject to an $8.00 > > Electronic Waste Recycling Fee > > > > Features/Specifications: > > > > * Dell Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0 GHz 15.4-inch Widescreen Notebook > > > > * General Features: > > * Blossom pattern case color > > * Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic pre-installed w/COA > > * Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0 GHz processor > > * 3 GB RAM > > * 250 GB hard drive > > * DVD±RW drive > > * Integrated video > > * Integrated audio with built-in speakers > > * Modem > > * Integrated Ethernet > > * Integrated wireless LAN > > * Keyboard with TouchPad > > * 15.4-inch Widescreen Display > > * Built-in memory card reader > > > > * Supported Media: > > * Secure Digital (SD) > > * Memory Stick (MS) > > * Memory Stick Pro (MS PRO) > > * MultiMedia Card (MMC) > > * xD-Picture Card (xD) > > > > * Expansion slots: > > * One (1) ExpressCard slot > > > > * I/O ports: > > * Four (4) USB ports > > * One (1) HDMI port > > * One (1) S-Video/TV-Out > > * One (1) 15-pin VGA port > > * One (1) 4-pin IEEE 1394 FireWire port > > * RJ-45 Ethernet port > > * RJ-11 Modem port * Microphone in > > * Headphone out > > > > * Regulatory Approvals: > > * FCC > > * UL > > * CSA > > * CE > > * MIC > > * A-Tick > > * NOM > > > > Package Includes: > > > > * Dell Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz 15.4-inch Widescreen Notebook > > * Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic pre-installed w/COA > > * Power Adapter (100 - 240V 50/60 Hz) > > * Power cord > > * Li-ion battery > > * Vista Reinstallation DVD > > * Drivers and Utilities CD > > * Microsoft Works CD > > * Roxio Creator DE 10.2 CD > > > > Additional Information: > > > > * Notes: > > * Model: Inspiron 1525 > > > > -- > > Happy Trails! > > Jerry (K7AZJ) > > Hobbit Name: Pimpernel Loamsdown > > Registered Linux User: 275424 > > > > --------------------------------------------------- > > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss