Usb vs Serial port cnc router Newbie

I think one of the biggest advantages is that USB has a faster transfer rate than serial ports. That, and many computers don't have serial ports these days.

I have an old (vintage) pen plotter that has ports and no possibility of a USB upgrade connection. (ever).
what was once valued at over $2500 is now not worth 50 bucks for parts.
personally, I would steer clear of anything that only had serial ports.

ever is a really long time !
i haven't used one, but my understanding is they do fine, when the equipment being operated does not require the USB data transfer rate, when serial rate works.

Tim - I have a few of those adapters and they will not work with my plotter - a CNC may be different, I dunno.
I would not buy a complex machine such as a CNC without having a sure fire way that it could be "adapted or modified" to accept USB cables and commands prior to purchase. just my personal view on the topic question.

John Smith_ said:

Tim - I have a few of those adapters and they will not work with my plotter - a CNC may be different, I dunno.
I would not buy a complex machine such as a CNC without having a sure fire way that it could be "adapted or modified" to accept USB cables and commands prior to purchase. just my personal view on the topic question.

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I would not give up on your plotter, a communication interface from RS232 to USB is not difficult, and you may just have bad adapters. i would contact the plotter manufacturer to see which one they recommend, if you still want to use it, it is doable.

wrt today's equipment, i agree i would not go with a "serial port comm" device either. my previous comments were directed toward your plotter.

Search for real time and USB. CNC is a real time application. Windows plus standard USB is limited for RT apps.