Small PCs?
Oct. 15th, 2006 10:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ffuturesMy second PC (HP Pavilion 400mhz, 256mb, runs Windows 98) has begun to freeze up occasionally - can't find anything obvious wrong, and it hasn't done it since I reseated the memory, but I think I need to start thinking about replacing it.
The thing is that it's mostly used for downloads and as an emergency backup, but it's now a bit long in the tooth for the backup part since a LOT of the software I use now won't run on Windows 98 anyway. It really needs to be an XP box for maximum compatibility, although at a pinch I can do without OCR, Pagemaker, and the other applications I own that demand XP for a few days if I have to, so Linux or a Mac isn't absolutely out of the question. I want to avoid XP Media Edition crappiness.
As I've previously mentioned I've been thinking that it would be a good idea to have a PC permanently attached to the TV in another room, and if I use WiFi or extend the network in there, the backup PC might as well be in there. So what I think I need is suggestions on buying or building a small-case PC; I have two hard disks and a DVD writer in the current machine which ought to be OK for a new one, but memory etc. and the OS would have to be bought new.
If I go the Linux route which is the best implementation for a complete beginner with lots of Windows and some OS-X familiarity? The main applications I'd want to run would be bittorrent, a web browser (opera for preference), and Open Office, scanning and paint software, etc.
If I do end up with XP, what's the best deal at present?
Finally, what make of casing, motherboard, etc. should I look out for if I do build my own?
The thing is that it's mostly used for downloads and as an emergency backup, but it's now a bit long in the tooth for the backup part since a LOT of the software I use now won't run on Windows 98 anyway. It really needs to be an XP box for maximum compatibility, although at a pinch I can do without OCR, Pagemaker, and the other applications I own that demand XP for a few days if I have to, so Linux or a Mac isn't absolutely out of the question. I want to avoid XP Media Edition crappiness.
As I've previously mentioned I've been thinking that it would be a good idea to have a PC permanently attached to the TV in another room, and if I use WiFi or extend the network in there, the backup PC might as well be in there. So what I think I need is suggestions on buying or building a small-case PC; I have two hard disks and a DVD writer in the current machine which ought to be OK for a new one, but memory etc. and the OS would have to be bought new.
If I go the Linux route which is the best implementation for a complete beginner with lots of Windows and some OS-X familiarity? The main applications I'd want to run would be bittorrent, a web browser (opera for preference), and Open Office, scanning and paint software, etc.
If I do end up with XP, what's the best deal at present?
Finally, what make of casing, motherboard, etc. should I look out for if I do build my own?
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Date: 2006-10-16 08:20 am (UTC)I can't remember whether you are already a Gimp user. I gather there can be a big difference between "some paint software of some sort" and "paint software that works like the paint software I'm used to".
Googling, Photoshop works under CrossOver Office but with some problems.
Linspire (formerly known as Lindows) is specifically aimed at being easy to use for Windows users, but I don't know how good a job it does. Ubuntu is certainly worth a look.