>From: Paul M Foster <paulf@quillandmouse.com>
>Reply-To: slug@nks.net
>To: slug@nks.net
>Subject: [SLUG] Yet Another Hardware Recommendations Thread
>Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 12:43:12 -0500
>
>I'd like to replace my main box. It's one of those Walmart Microtel boxes
>that came with Linux installed. Here's what's happening: For a lot of
>reasons, I'm moving a lot of my applications from console to X,
>particularly using Firefox to run many of them. The problem is that on this
>box (256M memory Via C3 with 64K cache), I'm getting a lot of swapping and
>latency going on. So I'd like to get a box with more horsepower.
>
>Here's what I'm interested in:
>
>1. Single-processor
>
>2. 32 bit (*not* 64 bit)
>
>3. 1GHz+ processor speed (decent on-chip cache, not 64k like this Via C3
>chip I'm running)
>
>4. 512M memory or more
>
>5. CD/DVD drive
>
>6. hard drive optional-- I'll stick an existing one in
>
>7. AGP Video card (NO proprietary drivers). I'm not going to be playing a
>lot of video games, but I'd like a nice responsive card. Doesn't have to be
>3D, but might be nice.
>
>8. Linux-supported sound card
>
>9. Floppy drive (occasionally needed)
>
>10. NIC (optional-- I can find one to stick in)
>
>11. I'd like to spend in the vicinity of $1000 (or less ;-)
>
>I don't understand anything about the difference between DRAM, SRAM, EDO
>RAM and such, nor do I understand "front side busses" etc. So I don't
>really know how to integrate components, though I have no problem
>installing hardware and putting things together.
>
>I'm not fond of big name (Dell, HP) boxes, and am more in favor of white
>box PCs.
>
>Generally, CPUs, memory, hard drives, floppies, NICs and hard drives are
>supported by Linux out of the box. I have three concerns, in decending
>order of importance:
>
>1. Video card support vs performance. You can buy really smoking Nvidia and
>Matrox cards, but I don't want to use proprietary drivers. Most cards will
>work in your AGP slot, but whether Linux supports them without proprietary
>drivers is another matter.
>
>2. System performance. I've heard nightmares about not having the timing on
>your bus, memory, etc. in sync. If components aren't matched properly, you
>can get lags and latency. I don't want to have this. I'd like to make sure
>that everything fits and works together properly, but I'm just not
>qualified to spec a system like this.
>
>3. Sound card support. I don't care that much about sound, but sound
>support has traditionally been a problem for Linux.
>
>Okay, so long story short. What I'd like are the following:
>
>1. Names of vendors who build systems like the above which will have Linux
>support.
>
>or
>
>2. Links to *current* *updated* Linux hardware recommendation sites.
>
>or
>
>3. Specific hardware recommendations which adhere to the above.
>
>
>I'd appreciate any assistance you 250 plus list members could provide.
>Thanks.
>
>--
>Paul M. Foster
Paul,
If there is a specific distro that you prefer to use, it might be a good
idea to check $(DISTRO)-centric sources (wikis/forums/e-mail lists/etc.)
regarding said distro's support for the types of hardware that you are
interested in purchasing.
Also, keep in mind that you could use this opportunity to support a vendor
that sells desktops with Linux pre-installed. It would ensure you that the
hardware is supported and save you the trouble of building a machine. Here
are a few online vendors that I found after a quick search:
http://system76.com/
http://www.pricepc.com/
http://www.emperorlinux.com/
http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux_laptops.html
I think that the last two only offer laptops but I included them in case
anyone else on the list is interested. If any sluggers can suggest other
vendors (besides Wal-Mart) that sell Linux pre-installed please post.
-Jonathon
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