The card-type parallel port card is used to connect a printer to the computer. The card can be installed in the computer’s PCI slot, and it can be removed when it is not needed. Card-type parallel port cards are more reliable and easier to use than converter boxes. Some of the renowned brands are StarTech, Belkin, and HP.
Choosing the right parallel port card is difficult as it depends on the type of printer you have. To make it easier to find the exact parallel port card you’re looking for, we rounded up the best parallel port cards on Amazon, according to thousands of customer reviews.
Check out our favorite parallel port cards in the list below, and keep reading for our buying guide.
Our Editor’s Best Parallel Port Cards Reviews
- 1-PORT PARALLEL PCIe CARD: Using a 1x PCI Express 2.0 Gen 1 slot, add a DB25 parallel communications port to your computer; Installs in full/standard or low profile PCIe cards slots (brackets incl.); Latest version of our popular parallel card PEX1P
- TECH SPECS: Parallel port LPT controller card supports SPP/Byte/Nibble/ECP modes | Compatible with IEEE 1284 | Speeds up to 2.5Mbps | Asix AX99100 chip | Full profile bracket pre-installed
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: Parallel port expansion card works with printers, scanners, plotters, point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, oscilloscope
- WIDE COMPATABILITY: Fully compliant with PCI Express Base Specifications Revision 1.1 and PCI Power Mgmt 1.2; Compatible with PCI-e x1 slot and up; Supports Windows (incl. XP and up) Windows Server (2003 and up) and Linux (2.6.X and up)
- 1. PCIE-PA1 will provide single DB25-Pin parallel port on desktop PCs and industrial device. Allow users full use old type parallel port peripherals device such as printers, scanners, CD-ROM drives, memory card readers, bar code scanners and more parallel port device.
- 2. Fully support IEEE 1284 protocol. Supports ECP (enhanced capability port), EPP (enhanced parallel port), SPP (standard parallel port), Nibble, Byte mode will work on most of parallel port peripherals device.
- 3. Selected by ASIX AX99100 PCIE to parallel host controller. Provide 2.5Mbps max communication speed. Will compatible with most of Intel, AMD and ARM platform hardware on Windows OS and Linux kernel system.
- 4. System Requirements: Windows 11, 10, 8.x, 7, Vista, XP (32/64), Windows Server 2003, 2003R2, 2008, 2008R2, 2012, 2012R2, 2016, 2019, 2022. Linux Kernel, 2.6.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.x.
- 5. Comply with PCIE specification revision 2.0, works on PCIE 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0. PCIE X1 interface compatible with PCIE X1, X2, X4, X8, X16 slot. Comes with full height bracket and low-profile bracket and full height bracket will work on standard size PCs and slim PCs.
- 【Features】 PCIE Transfer Parallel Card is a single PCI courier parallel card.
- 【Convenient use】 The PCIE transfer card can be connected to parallel equipment, such as printers, programmers, scanners, etc. To meet your multiple needs
- 【Compatibility】 PCIE Transfer Card supports a variety of traditional operating systems for Windows, and Linux.
- 【Card Slot】 PCIE Transfer Card with PCI Express X1 slot, can be installed in a variety of PCI Express slots (including 4x 8x16x).
- ✅ Quickly adds one parallel port through an available PCI Express slot ; Save on the cost and hassle of upgrading peripherals to work with your newer system.
- ✅ Compliant with PCI Express Base Specification revision 1.1 and IEEE 1284 standard.
- ✅ Supports Enhanced Capability Port (ECP), Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) and Standard Parallel Port (SPP) for maximum compatibility with your parallel peripherals. Low Profile bracket not available for this product.
- ✅ Works hassle-free with most parallel port peripherals such as printers, scanners, memory card readers, etc. Check SIIG website for downloadable driver.
- ✅ Speedy data transfer rate of up to 1.5 Mbps ; Chipset ASIX/MosChip MCS9900CV-AA.
- Easily Add 2 Serial Ports and 1 Parallel Port To Any Computer
- Add one IEEE 1284 Parallel Port on system
- Supports 2 x UART Serial Ports
- All 3 Ports Uses 1 PCI Slot
- This card capability allow for upgrade with additional serial or parallel cards to your computer easily. Note: Open the "CH38XDRV"file in the CD to install.
- Multi-mode IEEE 1284 compliant controller (SPP, PS2, EPP, ECP), Faster data rates up to 1.5Mbps for parallel port.
- Plug and Play, Automatically selects IRQ & IO address, Supports IRQ sharing.
- Compliant with ExpressCard/34mm Standard; Compatible to 1-Lane (x1) PCI-Express Throughput.
- Operating System: Windows 32bit 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista and 64bit XP/2003 Server/Vista/WIN7/WIN8/WIN10/WIN11/Linux. If there was any problem with PCIe combo serial parallel expansion card, pls feel free to contact us, we will provide a solution within 24hrs.
- PCIe CARD WITH SERIAL & PARALLEL PORT: Using a x1 PCIe 2.0 slot, add a DB25 parallel & a DB9 RS232 port to your computer; Card installs in full/standard profile PCIe slot; Latest version of our popular PEX1S1P952
- TECH SPECS: Parallel Speeds up to 2.5Mbps | Supports SPP/Byte/ECP modes | Compatible with IEEE 1284 | Asix AX99100 chip | RS232 speeds up to 921.6Kbps | 16C950 UART | 256 byte FIFO buffer
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: PCIe expansion combo card adds LPT Printer & COM serial ports working with printers, scanners, plotters, point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, oscilloscope
- WIDE COMPATABILITY: PCI Express RS232 serial/parallel adapter card is compliant with PCI-E Base Spec. Rev. 2 & PCI Power Mgmt 1.2; Windows (7 and up) Windows Server (2003 and up) and Linux (2.6.X and up); Auto IRQ & IO assignment; Supports IRQ Sharing
- PCI CARD WITH SERIAL & PARALLEL PORTS: Using one PCI bus, add a DB25 parallel & two DB9 RS232 ports to your computer; Serial Parallel PCI Card installs in 2x full profile or 3x low profile expansion slots; Auto IRQ & IO assignment; Supports IRQ Sharing
- TECH SPECS: Parallel Speeds up to 1.5Mbps | Supports SPP/Byte/ECP/EPP modes | Compatible with IEEE 1284 | Asix MCS9865 chip | RS-232 speeds up to 115.2 Kbps | 16C550 UART | 256 byte FIFO buffer | 5-9 bit character | Even, Odd, No, Space or Mark Parity
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: PCI expansion combo card adds LPT Printer & two COM serial ports working with printers, scanners, plotters, point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, oscilloscope
- STANDARD PROFILE & LOW PROFILE BRACKETs: PCI multiport Parallel LPT & dual serial COM adapter card installs using 2x standard bracket (pre-installed) or 3x low profile brackets (incl); Supports Windows 7 and up, Linux 2.6.x to 5.x
- Compliant with PCI Express Specification Rev 1.1; Compliant with IEEE 1284 standard
- Supports ECP/EPP/SPP
- Supports Bi-Directional data transmission of speed up to 2MByte/s
- Standard and Low Profile Bracket Included
- Supported OS: Windows 98SE / ME / XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10; Windows Server 2000 / 2003 / 2008 / 2016; DOS; Linux
Best Parallel Port Cards Buying Guide
Before choosing the best parallel port cards you should consider the following options:
1. Parallel Port Y Cable: This is the simplest option for connecting multiple devices to a single parallel port.
You simply plug one end of the Y cable into the parallel port and the other two ends into the devices you want to connect.
2. Parallel Port Switch: A parallel port switch is a little more complex than a Y cable, but it offers more flexibility.
With a parallel port switch, you connect your devices to a single port, but you can select which device to use at any given time.
You can also use a parallel port switch in conjunction with a Y cable to connect even more devices to a single port.
3. Parallel Port Extenders: A parallel port extender allows you to connect multiple computers to a single port.
For example, you can use a parallel port extender to connect a laser printer to a computer and then connect a second computer to the same port.
This allows two users to print to a single printer at the same time. One disadvantage of parallel port extenders is that you can’t use them with any other parallel port devices.
4. USB to Parallel Port Adapters: If you want to use a parallel port device on a computer that only has USB ports, you can use a USB to parallel port adapter.
You will typically get better performance with a USB to parallel port adapter, but you won’t be able to use any other USB devices along with your parallel port device.
5. PCIe to Parallel Port Adapters: If you have a newer computer with only PCIe connections, you can use a PCIe to the parallel port adapter to connect your parallel port device.
The same limitations that apply to USB to parallel port adapters also apply to PCIe to parallel port adapters.
6. Parallel Port Extenders: A parallel port extender will allow you to connect multiple computers to a single parallel port.
For example, you can use a parallel port extender to connect a laser printer to a computer and then connect a second computer to the same port.
This allows two users to print to a single printer at the same time. You can also use a parallel port extender to connect multiple computers to a single printer, allowing for centralized printing.
However, you can’t use a parallel port extender with any other parallel port devices.
7. Parallel Port RAID Controllers: If you want to connect multiple parallel port devices to a single computer, you can use a parallel port RAID controller.
This will allow you to use more parallel port devices than you would be able to connect to a single computer with any other option.
However, you won’t be able to use the RAID controller for any other parallel port device.
8. Parallel Port Video Splitters: If you want to connect multiple monitors to a single computer with a parallel port, you can use a parallel port video splitter.
With a parallel port video splitter, you can connect two, three, or even four monitors to a single computer.
However, you won’t be able to use a parallel port video splitter for any other parallel port device.
9. Parallel Port Audio Splitters: If you want to connect multiple audio devices to a single computer, you can use a parallel port audio splitter.
With a parallel port audio splitter, you can connect up to eight audio devices to a single computer.
What else you should know about parallel port cards
1. What are the best parallel port cards?
Some of the more popular and highly rated parallel port cards include the StarTech PCI1PECP, the Belkin F5U002, and the IOGEAR GPIB-USB-HS.
2. What are the features of the best parallel port cards?
Some features to look for in a parallel port card include support for various types of parallel port devices, compatibility with a wide range of computers, and ease of installation.
3. What are the benefits of using a parallel port card?
There are many benefits of using a parallel port card. Some of these benefits include:
- Increased speed: A parallel port card can increase the speed of data transfer between devices.
- Increased compatibility: A parallel port card can make it easier to connect different types of devices to each other.
- Increased flexibility: A parallel port card can allow for more flexibility in terms of the types of devices that can be connected to each other.
4. How do I choose the best parallel port card for my needs?
Some tips that may be helpful include:
1. Make sure that the card is compatible with your computer’s operating system.
2. Check the card’s specs to ensure that it has the right port type and speed for your needs.
3. Read online reviews to get an idea of how well the card performs in real-world use.
4. If possible, try to find a card that comes with a warranty or satisfaction guarantee.
5. What are the top-rated parallel port cards?
The top-rated parallel port cards are the ones that offer the best performance and the most features. There are a few different brands that offer parallel port cards, but the two that are most popular are the Intel 82579V and the Asus P5LP-LE. Both of these cards offer great performance and a wide array of features. The Intel 82579V is a little more expensive than the Asus P5LP-LE, but it offers a few more features.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best parallel port cards. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best parallel port cards will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.