Yes Keyboard Cowboy is correct. I had a big annoyance with an automotive onboard diagnostic display program using a usb-serial adapter. It tried to grab ports 10 and higher.
Tech support told me to use low number com ports (1,2,3,4) and it worked.
We're using this laptop with serial to program PLC touchscreen displays for work. So even though this wasn't the biggest bang for the buck laptop, it had what we needed (Serial Port, XP preinstalled) for around $650. A reasonable price.