Hi All! I've been using HP Pavilion zv5260 as a desktop replacement for a while and now decided to get a real desktop. I am not sure if I should build a new box myself or buy a pre-built one. I need a home workstation that is going to be used primarily for writing and debugging code, browsing internet, occasionally watching dvds. I don't edit video and don't play video games. So, I figured that I don't need that powerful and expensive computer. In this case does it make sense to build one myself?
I googled and found that Dell offers Dimension n Series E521. http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/e510_nseries?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn It comes with no Windows OS preinstalled. And Dell claims that it is "ready" to work under linux. Does anybody here have this machine? Are there any compatibility issues? I plan to use it with Debian Etch. Etch comes with linux kernel 2.6.18 Googling I found out about a problem with USB freezing mice and keyboards, but it seems that this problem was solved with BIOS update that Dell issued in January, 2007. Google doesn't show any more problems with it... I am thinking about choosing these parts: ------------------------------------------------------------- Dell Dimension E521N AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ Operating System: FreeDOS included in the box, ready to install Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse 19 inch SP1908FP Silver Flat Panel Monitor TrueLife (Glossy Screen) 256MB NVIDIA Geforce 7300LE TurboCache Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache No Floppy Drive Included Integrated 10/100 Ethernet Modem 56K PCI Data Fax Modem CD ROM/DVD ROM 16x DVD+/-RW Drive Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio Speakers Dell AS501 10W Flat Panel Attached Spkrs for UltraSharp Flat Panels Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day* FREE GROUND SHIPPING! Total Price (taxes included) $757.30 ------------------------------------------------------------- It seems like the price is right. Before I always built computers myself, but now would I actually be able to build a box myself for this price ? Well, I don't necessarily want cheap, I just don't need a very powerful machine for what I am using it... Any advices or suggestions will be very appreciated! Thanks in advance... -- Registered Linux user number 402184. Get counted! http://counter.li.org -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]