Best Parallel Port Cards of 2026
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Parallel port cards are handy add-ons for computers that lack a parallel port, or for those who need additional parallel ports for multiple devices. These cards can be easily installed into a PCI or PCIe slot on a desktop computer, providing reliable and stable communication with parallel devices such as printers, scanners, and other peripherals. With parallel port cards, users can enjoy fast data transfer rates and high-quality print output without the need for special software or drivers. These cards are an affordable and practical solution for expanding the functionality of a computer, and are highly recommended for those in need of parallel ports.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 9 Parallel Port Cards
StarTech.com 1-Port Parallel PCIe Card
The StarTech.com Parallel PCIe Card allows you to easily add a DB25 parallel communications port to your computer using a PCI Express slot. It supports multiple modes, including SPP and ECP, ensuring compatibility with various devices such as printers and scanners. With speeds of up to 2.5Mbps, you can expect efficient data transfer for all your peripherals. The card is versatile, making it suitable for use in different applications, from scientific sensors to medical equipment, providing you with great flexibility in your connectivity options.
Multibao PCIe Parallel Port Adapter Card
The Multibao Parallel Port Card is designed to connect your parallel peripherals, such as printers and scanners, to your computer system. It features a native single-chip design that ensures maximum performance and reliability. With its single lane PCI Express compatibility, you can expect efficient data transfer rates of up to 1.5Mbps. This card supports various modes including SPP, ECP, and EPP, allowing seamless integration with the existing Centronics interface for your devices.
CERRXIAN 1-Port PCIe Parallel Printer Card
The CERRXIAN PCIe Parallel Card offers a reliable way to add a parallel port to your computer via a PCI Express slot. Its native single-chip design ensures you get maximum performance and stability, making it ideal for connecting older peripherals. Supporting SPP, ECP, and EPP modes, it fully works with standard Centronics interfaces, so you can easily use printers, scanners, and other devices. With a data transfer rate of up to 1.5Mbps, this card provides efficient and dependable communication for your parallel peripherals.
Zopsc PCI-E LPT Printer Card Adapter
The Zopsc LPT Printer Card is a PCI Express single parallel port card that allows you to connect various parallel devices such as printers, programmers, and scanners. This versatility means you can easily integrate older devices into your modern setup. It supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, MAC, and Linux, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of computers. The card uses a PCI Express x1 slot, which can be installed in various PCI Express slots, providing flexibility for your system's configuration.
GODSHARK PCI to DB25 Parallel Port Card
The GODSHARK Parallel Port Card offers a reliable PCI to DB25 connection for your desktop PC, making it ideal for connecting printers. With the WCH CH351Q chip, you can enjoy seamless communication with your printer. Once you install the necessary drivers, you can easily set the printer's port to match the card, ensuring compatibility. This card supports older operating systems like Windows XP, 7, and 8, but does not support Windows 10, so you can be assured of its functionality with your current setup.
Elprico PCI Express to Parallel Port Card
The Elprico PCI-E Parallel Card is a convenient PCI Express single parallel port card that allows you to connect parallel devices like printers, programmers, and scanners with ease. It supports a range of popular operating systems, including MAC and Linux, ensuring compatibility with your setup. The card fits into a PCI Express x1 slot, but can also be installed in larger PCI Express slots such as 4x, 8x, or 16x, offering great flexibility for your computer. This makes it a practical solution for adding parallel port functionality to your system.
ELIATER PCIe Serial Parallel Expansion Card
The ELIATER Expansion Card is designed to enhance your computer's connectivity options with ease. Its capability allows for the addition of extra serial or parallel cards, making upgrades straightforward. The multi-mode IEEE 1284 compliant controller supports faster data rates of up to 1.5Mbps for the parallel port, which is beneficial for transferring large files efficiently. With Plug and Play functionality, it automatically selects IRQ and IO addresses, saving you time during setup. Furthermore, it is compatible with various operating systems, ensuring versatility for your desktop needs.
LinksTek PCI Express Parallel Adapter Card
The LinksTek Parallel Adapter allows you to add a single parallel port to your desktop PC or industrial device. This is particularly useful for connecting older devices such as printers, scanners, and memory card readers, ensuring they can still be used efficiently. Complying with the IEEE 1284 standard, it supports various protocols, including SPP, EPP, and ECP. With a maximum data speed of 1.5 Mbps, it ensures smooth and reliable data transfer for all your old peripherals.
InLine 76624C PCIe Parallel and Serial Port Card
The InLine 76624C PCIe Card provides a reliable PCIe host interface, making it easy for you to connect your computer to parallel and serial devices. With its parallel and serial output interfaces, you gain versatility in connecting older printers or other peripherals. The card supports a fast data transfer rate of 2.5Gbps, which ensures efficient data communication. Equipped with the MosChip MCS9901CV-CC component set, the card offers stable performance and compatibility across various systems including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, giving you flexibility for different operating environments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a parallel port used for?
A parallel port is an interface allowing a personal computer (PC) to transmit or receive data down multiple bundled cables to a peripheral device such as a printer. The most common parallel port is a printer port known as the Centronics port.
2. Is parallel port still used?
Today, the parallel port interface is virtually non-existent because of the rise of Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices, along with network printing using Ethernet and Wi-Fi connected printers. The parallel port interface was originally known as the Parallel Printer Adapter on IBM PC-compatible computers.
3. What are serial ports and parallel ports?
A serial port is able to transmit a single stream of data at a time. A parallel port is able to transmit multiple data streams at a time. A serial port sends data bit by bit after sending a bit at a time. A parallel port sends data by sending multiple bits in parallel fashion.
During our parallel port card research, we found 24 parallel port card products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,566 customer reviews through our big data system to write the parallel port cards list. We found that most customers choose parallel port cards with an average price of £21.21.
The parallel port cards are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of parallel port cards, including StarTech, Multibao, CERRXIAN, Zopsc, GODSHARK.
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