Buying something new

[William Park]

On Thu, Oct 07, 2004 at 10:33:40AM -0400, phil wrote:
> I need a new computer.  I've finally run up against the limits of the 
> old Dell I'm using for Linux, realizing that adding enough Rambus 
> memory to make it workable for new applications would cost more than 
> another system (...and afterward it would still be slow and in need of 
> more disk space).  This is really only a problem because, as a software 
> specialist, I typically think of hardware as something that *impedes* 
> computing.  :-)
> 
> My requirements are for something reasonably capable, but not fancy; 
> most of my development is server-side stuff and for my "play" 
> applications (graphics, music...) I have my Macs.  Probably my only 
> slightly unusual needs -- compared to the standard ads I'm reading -- 
> are a dual-processor box for testing concurrent programming and a 
> CD/DVD writer.  Otherwise, a gig of RAM, maybe 160 disk, and "standard" 
> support for audio, video, USB, ethernet....
> 
> (For unavoidable business reasons, it will almost certainly be 
> dual-booted with some version of Windows...sigh.)
> 
> So, the question is, are any of the Toronto stores being discussed 
> Linux-aware to the degree that I could walk in and ask for a bunch of 
> features, with the caveat that the hardware must work with an 
> up-to-date Linux distro?
> 
> I don't object to doing research in order to learn what's supported, 
> except that it's hard to know when you're finished.  (For example: 
> SuSE's site lists most multi-processor motherboards as 'partial' or 
> 'unknown' support.  Other sites recommend certain boards and then, in 
> the fine print, say things like "of course you won't be able to use the 
> on-board SATA controller".  Aaaarrrggh!)
> 
> What's a recommended approach for someone who just wants to produce 
> software and doesn't want to turn hardware acquisition into a full-time 
> hobby?

Buy a motherboard with minimal builtins, then add PCI cards of your
choice.  Most motherboards nowdays includes audio, video, network, USB.
But, they have become fairly standard, that there shouldn't be any
issue.

-- 
William Park <opengeometry-FFYn/CNdgSA at public.gmane.org>
Open Geometry Consulting, Toronto, Canada
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