please advise

[knight]

hi all

our only ISP -and telecom company- has a computer offer. for around $59/ months for 30 months someone could get one of the computers listed down.

Since my old computer is .. old (P166, 64MB RAM), and the motherboard and cpu I got to assemble my new AMD 1GB pc were fried (bypassing the power supply, long sad story), I 've decided to get a new machine.

The new computer will be a Linux box, and I would like your openion on the listed computers from Linux point of view.

ps.
* I would increase the specs a little specially the HD
* clearly, I am not intrested on the software that come with offer
* I already have a good printer (HP 870cxi)
* personally I don't like the 'built-in' stuff

-----------------------------------------------------------------
The computers are:

1) COMPAQ DESKPRO EX

Desktop Casing
Intel Pentium III 800Mhz
Intel Motherboard i815 Chipsets Technology
128MB RAM / 4-8MB Shared VRAM
20GB IDE Hard Disk Drive
52XCD ROM Drive
15" Compaq Colored Monitor
Integrated 32bit Audio System
Internal 56K Fax/Modem V.90
External Speakers (180W)
WIN 98 English/Arabic CD
McAffee Viruscan 5.0 CD (latest version)
Lexmark Z12 Color Printer (until supplies last)


2) ACER ASPIRE 6600

Tower Model
Intel Pentium III 800 MHz,
128MB SDRAM,
10 GB Hard Disk Drive,
50X CDROM,
Intel 815e Embedded graphics,
56K Fax/modem,
10/100 Mbps Onboard LAN,
Multimedia microphone,
Monitor mounted Stereo Speakers,
Acer USB Wheel mouse, FDD,
17" Monitor, Win Millinieum Arabic,
Trend PC Cillin 2000 anti-virus & PC Doctor
Scanner or Internet Camera (until 31st January)

3) DELL optiplex

Intel Pentium III - 866 Mhz
Desktop casing
128MB SDRAM
20GB hard disk drive
48X CD-ROM drive / 1.44MB floppy disk drive
Built in sound
External speakers
56K Fax / Modem
Dell 15" SuperVGA Monitor
Microsoft Arabic Windows 98
Microsoft Mouse
Arabic / English 101 keys keyboard
10/100 PCI Network Interface Card
Anti Virus Pacakage

4) HP Brio 410 PC

Tower Model
800 MHz Intel P-III Processor
256 KB L-2 integrated cache
133 MHz Front Side Bus
128 MB SDRAM
48X CD-ROM Drive
10 GB Ultra ATA/66 Hard Disk
8MB to 16 MB of Integrated SMA Graphics
Integrated Audio, 64-voice Wavetable s/w synthesis with speakers
MS Windows 98 SE
56 kbps Internal Fax/Modem
2 Serial, 1 Parallel & 2 USB ports
MS Internet Explorer 5.0
Norton Anti-Virus
15" Monitor
Deskjet 640 Printer (until 31st January)

[spacial_K]

I'd suggest going with the dell. Even though it is desktop cased and has integrated <shudder> sound, I believe it's the better deal. BTW, what video card is going to be included with it? I don't see it listed.

[teeitup]

Read some of the articles in the Linux rags on building a linux box.

Clones are the best way to go.

You can control all the important pieces, video card, sound card, NIC.

Upgrading is much easier.

Choose well supported hardware and your Linux experience will be alot smoother.

I would never recommend a Compaq. You never know what might be inside. My history with Compaq products is long and storied.
The servers aren't too bad but I would never recommend one of their desktops for the home user.

Good Luck,


------------------
Don't take life to seriously, You'll never get out alive!
-Bugs Bunny-

[Gweedo]

I would personally look at a BTO (Build to order) machine. They will avoid proprietary
architecture and also get rid of integrated parts (sound, video, etc.)

I know Compaq has this, my bro works at Staples and sells them all the time because they are non--proprietary design.

Look and see if dell has something of this nature. I prefer dell over Compaq but in both cases Customer support sucks. From experience with working with each at a business level.

[teeitup]

If the numbers are right, figuring $19.00 for the internet access, the PC is costing you $1200.00.

You might want to explore what you can get on your own for $1200.00. You might be surprised.

Later,


------------------
Don't take life to seriously, You'll never get out alive!
-Bugs Bunny-

[Ryeker]

I agree with teeitup. Does the $59/month include Internet access? You can probably get a far better deal from other places.

------------------
ryeker@yahoo.com

Beauty is only skin deep... Attitude runs to the bone. -Dark Angel

[FoBoT]

if your finances are sufficient, don't get any of them

if you are short on $$ then i understand, no body can/should live without adequate PC
i would try the dell out of that list

[knight]

I think Dell is good. I checked and for this model they are using an intel 810 chipset mobo, bad.
also the VGA is built in with not shared 4MB but no AGP slot.

Please keep in mind that this is a 30 months installment offer from the Only ISP and communication company in my country. It is a choice between the 4 mentioned models or go for a build-it-yourself 'model' which I usually prefer but it is not an option for me now: (tip: no money)

[knight]

amazingly, your guess is correct, I think internet access is costly here.

it is $19.2/ month per 10hrs
breakdown:
$8/month fixed 'rental' fee
$1.12/hr

and yes, you can get alot for $1200 if you have them right now. But remember, this is a 30 months installment program. I hate it but is the best available now

[knight]

oh yes, it does include intermet access, and this is the only ISP in our country, and the only telephone (communication) company as well

[knight]

Originally posted by FoBoT:
if your finances are sufficient, don't get any of them

if you are short on $$ then i understand, no body can/should live without adequate PC
i would try the dell out of that list

Oh thanks FoBoT, I think you really understand the issue here.

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by knight:
using an intel 810 chipset mobo, bad.
also the VGA is built in with not shared 4MB but no AGP slot.

http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/eek.gif

never mind, we have compaq's with those at work and they are fine for winders, but you don't want that for linux

[FoBoT]

definetly the HP

check this from their web site

"Other certified operating systems: Novell, Linux distributions: RedHat, TurboLinux, Caldera and SuSE"
http://www.hp.com/desktops/brio/ba410/specs.html

have fun http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif and come back after you get your linux installed if you need any help http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[knight]

Thanks alot for the url

Bad Points:

* VGA memory is shared
* Only 3 PCI slots
* Max CPU upgradabilty?
* Max Memory is 512MB
* Only two DIMM banks
* NO ISA slots?
* ATA 66 (come on, 66 and no 100?!)

btw:
* what is SMA?
* They didn't mention the motherboard chipset (810, 815e, Appolo)

that said, it looks like a good option
Thanks again, alot

[knight]

Findings:
here are some comments
1) Compaq:
No No, as everybody righly said

2) Acer:
2 PCI, 0 ISA, 1 4X AGP
Built-in 8MB Shared VGA
Built-in Sound
Only 10GB HD, ATA66
17" monitor (Good)
2 5.25, 2 3.5 expansion bays

3) Dell:
BAD SYSTEM
Chipset 810
3 PCI, No ISA, NO AGP (what?)
Built-in 4MB Not Shared VGA (Only?)
Want me to continue?

4) HP:
I thought I will go for this system but:
4 PCI, No ISA, 1 AGP (?X?)
10GB HD ATA66 (Come on!!)
Only 2 Memory Slots, and the dealer had put 2 64MB modules in them: No more expansion (but Kingiston)
Very Small and congested case, the Power Supply is exacly on top of the socket 800Mhz Cpu composition
120 W Power Supply!! (it was on the label)

Conclusion:
1) I think I will wait and continue a little more with my P166 PC for maybe 2 to 3 months and I will assembel my own PC, I hope I will have cash then.
2) This didn't change my believe that brand computers were never for me

Thank you evey body for the comments and help