Machines for Longhorn

Julie asks about cheap machines for Longhorn:

Dell is doing the Free Shipping, double memory thingie again

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/banner_jump_media?c=us&l=en&cs=04&s=bsd

If someone figures out a properly configured box for Longhorn -- cheap, let me know - quick!

Here's what I've got coming, for Longhorn and other experimental uses (and as a backup in case my mail or web server croaks unexpectedly):

Order Detail
PowerEdge 400SC,2.4GHZ/512K Cache, P4, 800FSB
128MB DDR, 400MHz, 1X128MB PowerEdge 400SC
No Keyboard Option
No Monitor Option
80GB, 1 inch IDE Hard Drive for PowerEdge 400SC
3.5 in, 1.44MB, Integrated Floppy Drive, PowerEdge 400SC
No Operating System,For Dell PowerEdge Servers,No Windows 2000
Mouse Option None
On-Board NIC
48X,Compact Disk Drive,680M I Half Height, Black, PowerEdge 400SC

The advantages of going with a server machine vs. a desktop or laptop are many:

  • I can get a server machine without an OS. Given that I don't need an OS pre-installed(for obvious reasons), this saves some money.
  • I can get a server machine without a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. Since I use either a KVM or Terminal Services to access my machines, I don't need any of these.
  • A server, even a low-end one like this, usually offers better expandability than a desktop machine.
  • A server like this one has faster hard drives, and better bus speed, than what is currently available (or affordable) for a similarly configured laptop.
I did consider buying a cheaper no-brand PC such as those that can be found at Pricewatch.com, but in the end I decided that the potential hassle of getting something fixed/returned/replaced from a no-name dealer made it worth an extra $100 or so to go with Dell. Bottom line is that it isn't hard to put together an affordable system to run the Longhorn preview. This unit may be a little light on the graphics side (it sports an ATI Rage graphics card), and I'll definitely have to pick up some additional RAM, but it's a good start for my Longhorn playground, and I won't have to worry about it dragging down the other work I'm doing by trying to run it in a VM.

4 Comments

  • Dave, that's a fair point, and time will tell whether I'll regret the lower graphics power. But since this box is not intended for Longhorn alone, and LH is still pretty early on, I'm not too worried if it's not zippy. And anything will be an improvement over running it in a VM on my laptop. :-)



    Perhaps when Beta 1 of Longhorn comes out, I can use that as an excuse to pick up a machine with a better GPU.

  • You're kinda lacking in memory there. 128MB is grounds to make XP cranky...

  • Brian,



    That's why I said "and I'll definitely have to pick up some additional RAM (in addition to my comment about the relatively weak graphics). ;-)



    Memory's much cheaper aftermarket, so I rarely get more than the minimum when ordering from Dell, unless there's a good sale price or I'm buying from the Dell Factory Outlet (refurbs).

  • I just noticed something ugly (but bearable) about the 400SC - the hard drive and other storage peripherals are on plastic guide rails (green color). The hard drives may fit snugly but not fixed (not screwed on to the chassis) - so large amount of I/Os makes the disk reverberate causing noise! There has to be a workaround for this one..

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