Need a recommendation of brand & model for a cheap Ubuntu (Lucid) workstation.
June 7, 2010 1:38 PM Subscribe
I need a recommendation of brand & model for a cheap Ubuntu (Lucid) workstation. My main concerns are Ubuntu hardware compatibility without a lot of configuration, overall dependability, & parts availability.
I've wound up handling equipment procurement in a small not-for-profit organization. I'm not really qualified for this role. :)
We currently have a hodge-podge of 3 machines, and it makes tracking configurations and repair more difficult. Ideally I would like multiples of the same unit: 2 machines, 1 backup, and maybe 1 for parts. Budget: Ideally $500 or under, limit of $1000.
Usage:
Web browsing, PDF viewing/printing, OpenOffice, nothing fancy.
Maybe accounting software (ala Quickbooks/Quicken) in the future.
Current peripherals:
LaserJet 4050N, connect via parallel or ethernet
Linksys WRT54G
I desire:
Dependability and/or good parts availability.
I've wound up handling equipment procurement in a small not-for-profit organization. I'm not really qualified for this role. :)
We currently have a hodge-podge of 3 machines, and it makes tracking configurations and repair more difficult. Ideally I would like multiples of the same unit: 2 machines, 1 backup, and maybe 1 for parts. Budget: Ideally $500 or under, limit of $1000.
Usage:
Web browsing, PDF viewing/printing, OpenOffice, nothing fancy.
Maybe accounting software (ala Quickbooks/Quicken) in the future.
Current peripherals:
LaserJet 4050N, connect via parallel or ethernet
Linksys WRT54G
I desire:
Dependability and/or good parts availability.
The easiest way to guarantee your hardware's Linux compatibility is to buy from a vendor that's already done that for you. You could just pick one of these.
posted by Zed at 2:44 PM on June 7, 2010
posted by Zed at 2:44 PM on June 7, 2010
As for model, of the things on that page, any of them configured with any of the dual-core CPUs offered for them and 2GB memory would be very comfortable overkill for your described use.
posted by Zed at 3:01 PM on June 7, 2010
posted by Zed at 3:01 PM on June 7, 2010
I'm a very big fan of System76 (system76.com). Good computers, good configurability when buying, and great customer support.
posted by gbinal at 9:44 PM on July 5, 2010
posted by gbinal at 9:44 PM on July 5, 2010
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Form factor is open. We currently get by with a mixture of AT, XT, laptop.
The ability to keep horizontal ATX units on a shelf vs. floor or desk is tempting, but I don't know if there are other drawbacks. We would not need more than 2 internal drives, and have no need for optical drives.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 1:49 PM on June 7, 2010