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Also, remember to factor in the cost of a copy of Windows XP
Or skip Windows entirely, and go Linux!
I am quite serious about this BTW - I have now successfully dropped the Windows XP side of this machine for Mandriva Linux, and I can still run Half life II, via Cedega. The only machine I use WinXP on at home is the laptop, which is solely because I've yet to get the wireless card to run successfully under Linux.
OK, so for the latest games, you will need XP (though Doom III came out with aLinux version), but even though I run some games every now and again, it's not really my main use for a computer.
As for home building, I can never see the point if you're not interested in the geek value of doing such things (and I've done it in the past - I used to run a monster Amiga conversion for everything at home until about 3 years ago). Most out of the box machines have the advantage of warranty support, and generally do what you need them to unless you're really in it for the hobby value, which I can no longer, unfortunately or otherwise.
As for brands, Dell have been Ok for cheapish systems at work, though their customer service for our laptops was execrable. I've found the second hand HPs inherited from work are still buzzing along reliably (with Linux!) enough now and they're about 6 years old, if not more. HP/Compaq use pretty standard parts now so the ones I use (including an Athlon XP 1900) have been easy to add new soundcards into for example.
Anyone in the UK is also well advised checking out Morgan Computers for relatively old but still very much usable kit, most of which is factory returns or just old stock (avoid their second hand stuff) with the odd knock or scratch. They're dead cheap and still provide manufacturer's warranties for most items, though avoid anything really shite like Time, Tiny or EZPC branded junk. |
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