All the solutions described on an earlier page (Macintosh Serial Expansion) can be used for adding serial ports to PCI Macintoshes, with the exception of the NuBus cards. In order to use NuBus serial expansion cards, you must use a Second Wave (voice: 512-329-5283) PCI to NuBus external chassis. This may be the preferred method if you already have an investment in NuBus cards, but it is an expensive solution otherwise. Performance should be acceptable, but NuBus cards use older, somewhat slower, emulated 68K drivers, rather than PowerPC-native drivers that PCI cards require.
Certainly, a PCI serial card makes a lot of sense - just plug it in and get additional serial ports. As of early 1998, there are only three companies who are actually shipping PCI serial cards for the Mac :
Detailed comparisons of all the available PCI serial cards can be obtained from our free 'white paper': Choosing A Mac PCI Serial Card. It also describes what serial devices will run and what won't run on 3rd party serial cards. (Adobe Acrobat format)
Return to MegaWolf Home Page
MegaWolf, Inc. mail to: megawolf@megawolf.com 1771 Grasso Blvd. voice/fax: 203-562-1243 New Haven, CT 06511