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StarTech.com Newer version available PEX1P2: 1 Port PCI Express Dual Profile Parallel Adapter Card - SPP/EPP/ECP - 1x DB25 IEEE 1284 PCIe Parallel Card (PEX1P)
StarTech.com

StarTech.com Newer version available PEX1P2: 1 Port PCI Express Dual Profile Parallel Adapter Card - SPP/EPP/ECP - 1x DB25 IEEE 1284 PCIe Parallel Card (PEX1P)

Bottom line: The StarTech.com Newer version available PEX1P2: 1 Port PCI Express Dual ($62.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Native PCIe DB25 port, not a USB-to-LPT bridge that legacy software refuses to see; main trade-off: superseded by the PEX1P2 per the listing's own newer-version-available flag.

$62.00

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Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Native PCIe DB25 port, not a USB-to-LPT bridge that legacy software refuses to see
  • ✓ Full IEEE 1284 support: SPP, EPP, and ECP modes for printers and industrial gear
  • ✓ Dual profile card ships with full-height and low-profile brackets for SFF builds
  • ✓ Slot-powered design needs no external adapter and consumes no USB port

Cons

  • ✗ Superseded by the PEX1P2 per the listing's own newer-version-available flag
  • ✗ Requires a free PCIe slot, so laptops and most mini PCs are out
  • ✗ Costs well above a USB parallel dongle, worth it only if you need a true LPT port
  • ✗ Single port only; multi-device parallel setups need a second card or a switch box

Manufacturer description

The StarTech.com PEX1P adds a single DB25 parallel port to a modern desktop through a PCI Express slot, which is the whole point: motherboard makers dropped the onboard LPT header years ago, and plenty of hardware never followed. The card covers the full IEEE 1284 command set - SPP, EPP, and ECP - so it can drive older laser and dot-matrix printers, EPROM programmers, CNC controllers, parallel-port security dongles, and retro-PC test gear that a USB printer adapter cannot address. Because it is a dual profile design, the same board goes into a full tower or a small-form-factor chassis…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored StarTech.com Newer version available PEX1P2: 1 Port PCI Express Dual… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the expansion cards category. StarTech.com's expansion cards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for expansion cards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a real parallel port or just a USB adapter in disguise?

It is a native PCI Express card, so the DB25 port appears to the OS as a genuine LPT port rather than a virtual printer device - the difference that matters for older software addressing LPT directly.

Which parallel port modes does the PEX1P support?

It supports the full IEEE 1284 set: SPP, EPP, and ECP. That covers standard printing plus the bidirectional and high-speed modes used by programmers, dongles, and industrial controllers.

Will it fit a small form factor or low-profile case?

Yes. The PEX1P is a dual profile card, meaning StarTech supplies both a full-height and a low-profile bracket so the same board works in a tower or a slim chassis.

Does it work with current versions of Windows?

The listing does not state which operating systems are supported on this revision. Check StarTech's driver page for the PEX1P and your exact Windows version before ordering.

Should I buy the PEX1P or the newer PEX1P2?

The listing itself flags the PEX1P2 as the newer version. Compare the two current listings on stated OS support before you choose.

Key Features

  • HD15 M/M
  • VGA cable
  • HD-15 (M) to HD-15 (M)
  • 60 ft
  • black
  • Delivers high resolution from your PC to your VGA display (1920x1200 or above)

Full Specifications

Size60 ft / 18.3m
BrandStarTech.com
ColorBlack
ModelMXT101MMHQ60
WarrantyLifetime
UnitCount1
ManufacturerStarTech.com
ItemPartNumberMXT101MMHQ60

Ready to buy?

StarTech.com Newer version available PEX1P2: 1 Port PCI Express Dual Profile Parallel Adapter Card - SPP/EPP/ECP - 1x DB25 IEEE 1284 PCIe Parallel Card (PEX1P) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $62.00

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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