What Computer to Buy?

[Gregory Piñero]

On 7/20/06, Kent Borg <kentborg at borg.org> wrote:
> On Wed, Jul 19, 2006 at 11:18:36PM -0400, Gregory Piñero wrote:
> > Plus the choices out there just seem overwhelming.  What motherboard,
> > video card, etc?  I'm definately considering this route though.
>
> Consider getting something like an Intel 915G ATX
> (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121248R).
>
> The key item here is that it has onboard accelerated video that is
> Ubuntu compatible out-of-the-box, period.  No messing with proprietary
> drivers!  This board also has lots of slots, takes upto 4GB of RAM,
> audio, gigabit ethernet, good number of USB ports, SATA and ATA.
>
> At $53 bucks *it* is not going to crush your budget.
>
> Then you add:
>
>  - CD/DVD drive
>  - ATA cable for CD/DVD drive
>  - two SATA hard disks to use in software raid 1 (religious item here,
>    if you aren't part of that religion, then just one disk).
>  - SATA cable(s)
>  - case, with enough bays for all your disks, probably best to get one
>    with a power supply already included.
>  - case fan--disks last longer when kept cool
>  - CPU and heatsink
>  - RAM
>  - keyboard and mouse (probably PS/2 is best, more compatible)
>  - display (LCD if you can afford it is nice)
>  - UPS if you don't want to lose your work to a power blink.
>

Thanks Kent.  That's an excellent starting list for me.  Building my
own is sounding better and better.

> You are in for some mix-and-match to make sure you have everything
> figured out, but the result will save you money over a pre-built that
> matched it--and it is satisfying.
>
> Another thing, mainstream computers can have funny issues that make
> them less Linux compatible.  A generic motherboard that Dell or HP
> hasn't customized is a better bet for Linux compatibility.

Interesting point here.  I hadn't thought of this.

>
> Oh, and if you build it yourself you don't have to pay the Microsoft
> tax (aka a Windows XP license) that you don't need.
>
> If you want to post your shopping list before you place the order I'm
> sure you will get plenty of opinions on whether it all adds up.
>
> Good luck.
>
> -kb, the Kent who has assembled many computers by now.