Choose a Computer
For some of us, choosing a computer is easy. We have a 386 or 486 machine
that has been replaced by something better, or we have simply decided to
find a new task for 'old faithful'.
Others will want to buy the 'perfect
Linux machine', and have a system to really be proud of.
Unless you are willing (and able) to develop drivers for Linux, you should
probably avoid the latest but greatest, and perhaps settle for something
that is a little older, a little more main-stream, and a little more supported.
This may mean avoiding the newest, fastest SCSI controller, or the fastest
display controller, in favor of those that have been around a while, and
have proven popular. By all means, get a copy of the
Linux hardware HOWTO
and read it BEFORE laying down cold, hard cash for that new system.
If the HOWTO seems a little old, and you really want that new display
card (or whatever), you might check the current Linux driver sources to see if it
is really supported. (If you don't know what the last sentence means,
AVOID THE NEW CARD)!
So, my recomendation is,
- Get a 486 PC that is as fast as you can afford
(OK, get the Pentium if you must),
- Get a local bus backplane (VLB for
the 486, PCI for the Pentium).
- Get a main-stream SCSI controller, or
an EIDE controller if you don't like SCSI,
- and at least 700MB of disk.
(I work for Quantum - Please get several drives!)
- You will be
fairly happy with 8MB of memory, but will probably be happier with a
cheaper, slower CPU and 16MB of memory or more - it's a trade off.
- Get as large a monitor as you can afford. 14" is too small, 15"
is OK if you are young, but older eyes will really appreciate a 17" or
larger monitor.
- Get an accelerated display card that is supported by Linux.
Ben Spade
Not responsible for errors in spelling or facts.