The serial decoding in DSOs is very useful for checking signal integrity, etc., when you're building circuits but not for decoding large amounts of data or hacking/debugging a serial protocol.
...Trying to find settling time issues. There are many cases, where communication means sending 2-4 bytes, and then doing something. It is really useful for that.
Those "2-4 bytes" would be covered by the part where I said "very useful useful for checking signal integrity, etc."
The PC stuff comes into play when "decoding large amounts of data or hacking/debugging a serial protocol" - the second half of the sentence.
I only mentioned it because the OP mentioned "i2c/spi/232/logic level analysis" in the very first line of his post. This made me think it might be important to him.
I agree. A logic analyser typically can't show signals realtime and it cannot show related analog signals (unless it has a DSO module).
Ditto.
It is not really signal integrity. Signal integrity is "just" analog inspection of digital signals (well, more than that). You cannot do that with a logic analiser.
Mixed signal is where the MSO shines, hence the name, D'OH!
It is one of those cases, where you just haven't used an equipment, that others need. I was fine for years without a timer-counter. And then there was a project, where it became essential.
Also, there are very useful trigger conditions for modern scopes, like they can error frame or I2C violation and others. You can just leave the scope connected overnight and see in the morning if there were any issues with your communication, how many times, etc... all this in a small box, without PC.
Anyway, we are off topic, and we kinda agree so let's just move on.