[ale] Do people still roll their own Linux desktops?

[John G. Heim]

I've been over and over this with various people for years and I always end 
up building my own system. Every time I come across one of those low-cost 
machines there is something wrong with it. I don't mean that its broken 
down. I mean one component or another is sub-standard in some way. There 
always is something about it that is no good and ends up being a pain in the 
butt for as long as you own the machine.

I'm blind and even so, I still build my own machines. In a way, I feel like 
I'm indulging myself at a significant cost. I know I really should be buying 
hamburger but I like steak so much more.  I tell my wife I need to spend 
$600 instead of $400 because its "research" for my job. But I just feel that 
if I buy one of those inexpensive machines, there will be something about it 
I don't like. This has been my experience and that of my friends who have 
put linux on their PCs. Some driver is impossible to find, or the case is 
impossible to open, or the disk failes, or something.

I don't intend this as advice. If you're asking if people still build their 
own machines, my answer is yes.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Björn Gustafsson" <bg-ale at bjorng.net>
To: "Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts - Yes! We run Linux!" <ale at ale.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 6:48 PM
Subject: [ale] Do people still roll their own Linux desktops?


I'm in the market for a new desktop Linux system, and I've never
bought a consumer unit before.  This time though I'm sorely tempted by
deals I see in the $350-$450 range on discount desktops, which are
sometimes even quad-core systems.
http://www.buy.com/prod/hp-pavilion-p6203w-desktop-athlonll-x2-r-215-2-7-ghz-4gb-500gb/q/loc/101/213720391.html
for example is $370 for an older model dual-core desktop.

My 5+ year old case is feeling creaky, and I'm probably due for a new
power supply, so I don't think I can build a comparable system myself
for under $450, and I worry about durability with such cheap parts.
My main requirements are a dual or quad-core processor and at least 4
GB of RAM, with a decent video card.  If I look at pricewatch.com and
similar sites the components add up to $500 or more. (Not including a
monitor, which I don't need.)

Does anyone have suggestions on a low-budget alternative to pre-built
systems, or am I wasting time even thinking about that?  For example,
are the "no OS systems" that Ascendtech sells any good?
http://www.ascendtech.us/customkititems.asp?kc=DTPCC2DE8400912

-- 
Björn Gustafsson

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