[DC LoCo] Suggestions for Inexpensive, Linux-friendly mini?

[Thomas Gideon]

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On 01/19/2012 12:36 PM, Robert Simmons wrote:
> On Thu, Jan 19, 2012 at 11:20 AM, Thomas Gideon 
> <cmdln at thecommandline.net> wrote:
>> My wife's hand me down computer appears to have just bit the
>> dust, hard. It is an out of warranty MacBook Pro so the most I am
>> willing to do is try to get her files off of it.
>> 
>> I do not have another system ready to re-install and transfer
>> her files to so find myself looking at a new desktop computer
>> purchase for the first time in a few years.
>> 
>> Any recommendations for inexpensive, small footprint machines
>> that will work with Linux right out of the box? I use Kubuntu on
>> my own machines but would be fine supporting a stock install on
>> this machine if that makes a difference.
>> 
>> I've been searching the web and have come up dry on any ringing 
>> endorsements so far.
> 
> The EeeBox series of minis from Asus are fantastic.  I've set my
> mom up with this one: 
> http://usa.asus.com/Eee/EeeBox_PC/EeeBox_PC_EB1007/
> 
> This is the specific one that I ordered: 
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220066
> 
> The version of linux that it comes with is not very good, but I 
> installed Kubuntu with no problems.  I also added an SSD drive to
> it and maxed out the memory, so it is very fast.  If I were to make
> that decision again, I would probably put a larger hybrid SSD in it
> rather than a full SSD because you get pretty much the same
> performance but still get a 500+GB drive to use.  I've more
> recently installed a Momentus XT hybrid SSD in one of my laptops
> and I couldn't be happier. 
> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/laptops/laptop-hdd/
> 
> This is the drive: 
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148591
> 
> But I bought mine by searching on pricewatch.com for the place
> with the lowest price: 
> http://www.pricewatch.com/gallery/hard_removable_drives/ssd_hybrid
> 
> However, just doing a cursory search, it looks like Google product 
> search is listing much better prices than Pricewatch for this: 
> http://goo.gl/IV3Vd
> 
> Also, for the EeeBox, it looks like Google has some really good
> prices as well: http://goo.gl/e0o9T
> 
> I'm sure you have opinions on memory manufacturers, but I've never
> had a problem with Crucial: 
> http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Eee%20Box%20EB1007&Cat=RAM

Robert,
> 
thanks. This is the option with which I am going. I'll hold
off on any upgrades until she's had a chance to use it and we can
figure out what, if anything, will be worth the additional money.

I was even able to find a decent 22in monitor to order along with it
and come out at less than $500.

One final question. Do I need a video cable or adapter? The monitor in
question has VGA and DVI and I have spare VGA cables, not sure I have
any DVI cables. The specs on the Asus site mention d-sub--is there a
converter for that?

- -T
- -- 
The Command Line Podcast
http://thecommandline.net/
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