Whatever has been proven to work reliably is what use. If I want the convenience of a modern laptop and usb2serial adapter it's because I need to use the computer behind it too to send files or generate a log. I usually set up my super-reliable vt220 or something similar first, to make sure the settings and target computer are functioning. Then I swap in the laptop with usb2serial cable that is known to work with the model of laptop. Bill On Sun, Jan 3, 2021, 10:01 PM Jameel Akari via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
As for having a dedicated terminal device… I have lusted after DEC’s handheld service terminal forever. It’s not super practical but it’s really cool. Same for something like a TRS-80 Model 100 or HP 200LX.
The only problems I’ve ever had with USB-to-RS232 dongles has been dodgy drivers for the knock-off Prolific chips. Actual PL-23** dongles have always worked fine for me up to 115200 baud. (On many generations of Mac, using either ZTerm, minicom, or GNU screen, and the same on various Linuxes.)