Cheap Linux Desktop/Server, part one
Being away from my main computer recently I booted up an old machine I’d installed Xubuntu on last year. Having read and responded to a few emails and performed some important work tasks I realised that the only application I really rely on is a powerful image editing/graphics program.
I forward all my addresses to GMail and Google Docs is a more than capable viewer and editor for what I needed. All my todo lists, project plans, bookmarks, RSS feeds and photos are on various online services. Whilst I wouldn’t want to be without a decent PC every day, Xubuntu (and Ubuntu on later machines) is a good, solid alternative for an extra PC, small server or something for the kids room.
Ubuntu or Xubuntu?
Whilst Ubuntu works well on the majority of machines, if you’re short on memory Xubuntu could be the way to go. Xubuntu is intended for less-powerful computers and features the Xfce desktop environment. I’ve used Xubuntu on a 600MHz Celeron, 128MB RAM and a 10GB HDD with half satisfactory results. At this level, an upcoming distribution, Fluxbuntu, sounds very promising.
Anything upwards of 600MHz, 256MB RAM and 20GB HDD should be fine with Ubuntu. Using an Xubuntu machine with a 1.8GHz AMD processor, 256MB RAM and 80GB HDD to write this post I have to say it’s flying.
Ubuntu and Xubuntu are a wheeze to install. If you’re running with less than 256MB RAM I recommend checking out the ‘Alternate’ CD and using the text based installer, which gets around speed and any graphics issues. The only drawback is the partitioning isn’t as clear, in my opinion. If you have a disk you’re not worried about, it’s a good idea to let Ubuntu do its stuff, then consider following this guide on creating a seperate home partition - a great idea when you want to upgrade.
Either request the CDs or DVDs through ShipIt (which take several weeks), or download Ubuntu here and Xubuntu here.
Route to a cheap Linux desktop, part one
Seems obvious really, but old machines are pretty good for this. All you need to do is check the drive is free of any data you want to keep, doesn’t have a PSU you recall having a problem but can no longer put your finger on and it isn’t a Commodore PET. If you have a machine missing memory or a processor, now is a good time to have a look on ebay and see if you can find a second hand component to get that machine going again.
In my case, I recently went to a local computer store which has a main shop, but also a warehouse with hundreds of second user ex-office computers, monitors and peripherals. Starting from £2 for a very basic machine, up to half decent Optiplex’s for £130 there’s bound to be something suitable. I found a pallet with Compaq Deskpro’s (550MHz PII, 256MB RAM, 20GB HDD) for £20 and all being in very good condition took one home. By the evening I had a fully functioning music player, web server and worthy Yahztee! competitor.
If you’re short on a monitor, keyboard and mouse those can add £15 to £25, and you have a computer capable of most tasks for under £50.
If you don’t have a store like this locally, you could check Freecyle for anyone disposing of an older computer. Another possibility is eBay, where companies clear offices and sell on computers. I’ve done this before and found that the machine wasn’t at all like the one shown, even though the feedback was in the thousands and incredibly good. Having said that, I’d have no hesitation in looking again at this option. Some also sell them without harddrives and offer to fit one for an extra fee, and I’d think about checking the price on a larger OEM drive at ebuyer first. Some sellers also add VAT on the prices shown, but this is normally explained.
A smaller footprint
Both in space and carbon, there’s lots of small factor computers out there. Often seen in libraries and offices, these machines are typically smaller and can sit along side the monitor in a stand. I’ve even seen one mounted in a book shelf with an old LCD monitor in a picture frame to make a fantastic music player (through a hifi) and digital photo frame.
I’m seriously considering something like this for under the TV, or as a small development server. The Dell Optiplex GX270, Compaq Evo D510 and IBM ThinkCenter desktops seem a good place to start.
In part two I’ll look at the options with new or home build computers.
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