Product Watch: Using Old Serial
Devices On Your iMac And G3/G4 Computers
Stealth Serial Port
The Stealth Serial Port from Gee3.com
provides a standard serial port for the newer Macintosh computers
that do not have one. Current versions support the Blue and
White PowerMacs and the G4/400 PowerMac. A version for the
iMac will be available in early October and a version for
the G4 systems based on the new logic board (G4/450 &
500) is under investigation.
The Stealth Serial Port is designed to be compatible with
all serial devices that work on older Mac systems. Its interface
card uses the same chipset found on earlier Power Macs and
is compatible with Comm Toolbox, printers, modems, MIDI devices,
LocalTalk, Wacom graphics tables and more. No new drives are
required other than the Stealth Serial Port extension. A standard
Mini-DIN8 connector provides the same serial port you are
used to.
The Stealth Serial Port appears as a standard serial port
to all applications. For applications that use the Comm Toolbox,
just select the Stealth Serial Port. This includes the PalmPilot
Connection kit 2.0, most communications programs, and many
print drivers. Fort other applications, just select the Modem
port.
The Stealth Serial Port fits in the internal modem slot of
the Blue and White G3s, G4/400 and iMac. If your system came
with and internal modem it must be removed before the Stealth
Serial Port can be installed. The Stealth Serial Port is easy
to install on the G3 and G4 systems but it is recommended
that you have a technician install it in the iMac.
The
Stealth has a small interface card that fits into the slot
on the logic board used for the optional internal modem. There
is a short ribbon cable that goes from this interface card
to a mini DIN8 connector that mounts in the hole where the
telephone jack for the internal modem goes. It installs in
minutes with just a screwdriver. Just open the G3/G4 unscrew
the metal plate covering the modem hole, plug in the controller
card and screw in the mini-DIN8 connector. If you can install
memory into your computer you will have no problem installing
the Stealth Serial Port.
The Stealth Serial Port has one mini-DIN8 connector. There
are several options to connect multiple serial devices to
the Stealth (other than physically switching cables). The
Stealth ThreePort is a manual 30-way switch box available
for about $20. The Stealth is also compatible with the Macally
Port Xpander in the same way it works with other Macs (Communication
Toolbox applications).
The Stealth does to work with devices that require 9-pin
mini-DIN connectors such at Geoport modems that draw their
power from the serial port.
In a recent review
Macworld gave the Stealth Serial Port a 4 out of 5 mouse rating,
praising its ease of installation and the fact that you could
add serial port functionality without using one of your PCI
slots.
Stealth Serial Port MSRP: $50
Contact:
GeeThree.com
261 Hamilton Ave. #311
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Fax: (650)328-8092
Email: info@geethree.com
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The
Stealth has a small interface card that fits into the slot
on the logic board used for the optional internal modem. There
is a short ribbon cable that goes from this interface card
to a mini DIN8 connector that mounts in the hole where the
telephone jack for the internal modem goes. It installs in
minutes with just a screwdriver. Just open the G3/G4 unscrew
the metal plate covering the modem hole, plug in the controller
card and screw in the mini-DIN8 connector. If you can install
memory into your computer you will have no problem installing
the Stealth Serial Port.
