IO Crest SI-MPE15046 2 Port Mini PCIe Serial Card for RS-232

The IO Crest SI-MPE15046 is a straightforward internal card for a very specific job: adding two legacy RS-232 serial ports to a computer that lacks them. You would pick this if you need to connect older industrial equipment, point-of-sale terminals, networking gear, or other devices that still use a DB9 serial connection. Its key feature is using the Mini PCIe interface, which is common in many small form factor PCs and embedded systems, rather than a standard PCIe slot.

What stands out is the price. At this sale price, it's one of the cheapest ways to add serial ports. However, the very low 2.4-star rating based on five reviews is a major red flag. This suggests some units may have driver problems, fail to be recognized, or have other reliability issues. It's a basic card with standard flow control features, but quality control seems inconsistent.

Given the steep discount from a list price that appears inflated, this is a budget gamble. If you absolutely need serial ports and have the correct slot, the low cost might be worth the risk. For a critical system, you might want to spend more on a brand with better reviews.