Just purchased Wildebeest, anyone want a review?

[echo314]

I don't see many topics here about the desktop computers. I just purchased a Wildebeest, and can answer some questions potential customers might have about this system (although Tom is pretty good at this too!).

Please let me know if there is anything you want to know, I can also just give my general impression of it and my own review. If you are interested, please reply to let me know. I'll post once I receive it. Below are the specs (no monitor)

Wildebeest Performance (WIL-B1)
Graphics 512 MB nVidia GeForce 9600 GT
Hard Drive 1 TB SATA II 300Mbps - 7200 rpm 32 MB Buffer

Memory 4 GB - 2 x 2 GB - DDR3 - 1333 MHz
Operating System Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) 64 Bit Linux
Optical Drive CD-RW / DVD-RW
Processor Intel Core i7-870 2.93 GHz L2 8 MB DMI 2.5 GTs
Wireless 802.11 bg

[Flyers2391]

Looks like a nice build, what are you using the system for, any specific tasks? Have you opened the case? It looks like there would be a lot of extra room in there.

Slightly different from that, how has your experience been with 64bit?

[Chazall1]

I was looking at the Wildebeest. What motherboard is it using? And how is the case? What is the manufacture of the case. What info do you have on the Power supply? I can not find information on all the components!

Thanks

[ShowMeGrrl]

I am thinking about switching from Windows to Linux for my main desktop computer. It's a little scary, because I do have some legacy Windows apps that I depend upon (Quicken, Homesite, Audible Manager, Paintshop Pro, PrintShop Pro, Applian, to name a few).

So I will want to install VMWare or Virtual Box to be able to run my Windows apps. Are you using any virtualization software?

I also have HP deskjet and laserjet printers and an HP scanners. How are your printer and scanner peripherals working?

[thomasaaron]

Chazall1, you might want to send me an email on that one. We typically don't post those sorts of things on the forums, as they are subject to change from time to time. We don't want customers expecting one thing and receiving another.

[Bromo]

Absolutely post a review! I am starting research for a Linux desktop for next year.

(Through a series of events I found myself 100% Linux for the last 9 months, and I haven't missed OSX or Windows at all ... )

I don't see many topics here about the desktop computers. I just purchased a Wildebeest, and can answer some questions potential customers might have about this system (although Tom is pretty good at this too!).

Please let me know if there is anything you want to know, I can also just give my general impression of it and my own review. If you are interested, please reply to let me know. I'll post once I receive it. Below are the specs (no monitor)

[jimmie-watters]

A review would be excellent. I have had a Starling for a couple of months and am starting to consider purchasing a desktop from System 76 and can't seam to find the same amount of feedback that can be found on the laptops.

[rlauzon]

Please let me know if there is anything you want to know, I can also just give my general impression of it and my own review. If you are interested, please reply to let me know. I'll post once I receive it. Below are the specs (no monitor)

I'd like to know how loud it is. I'm looking at going with this system and it's going to be near the TV.

I'm not looking for something that is whisper quiet, but I don't want something that's really loud either.

[ShowMeGrrl]

Would love to see that review, Echo314!

[rlauzon]

Well, my Wildebeest just arrived yesterday.

My first impressions are very good. It comes in a nice Antec case. It's very quiet.

I've only gotten the base system set up and the patches applied right now, but so far I am very pleased with the system.

[ShowMeGrrl]

Well, my Wildebeest just arrived yesterday.

My first impressions are very good. It comes in a nice Antec case. It's very quiet.

I've only gotten the base system set up and the patches applied right now, but so far I am very pleased with the system.


Great. Thanks. Please keep us informed of your experience with the Wildebeest in coming days.

Couple of questions I have: I don't suppose it has USB 3.0? (Don't know if the kernel even supports that at this point.) Is it possible to have two separate hard drives on the Wildebeest?

[rlauzon]

Couple of questions I have: I don't suppose it has USB 3.0? (Don't know if the kernel even supports that at this point.)

Unknown. I can't find anything that says it supports USB 3.0 (and I have no devices to try on it).

Is it possible to have two separate hard drives on the Wildebeest?

Oh, ya. There's room in there for 4 hard drives and there are power connectors for those drives as well.

[rlauzon]

Well, all the data has been copied over to the new box and I've gotten most of the software that I want loaded.

I have to say that this has been the most painless move to a new box that I've ever done.

The only major issues are:
1. My DVI-to-HDMI cable is just a little too short.
2. Since I used to be a Mandriva user, I'm still dealing with the differences in Ubuntu.

The box continues to run smoothly and quietly.

[riseringseeker]

Couple of questions I have: I don't suppose it has USB 3.0? (Don't know if the kernel even supports that at this point.) Is it possible to have two separate hard drives on the Wildebeest?

Google search for "linux kernel usb3" leads me to believe usb3 is indeed supported by the kernel, not only that, it is the only operating system to currently do so. Word has it that W7 should supported it on a future service pack, but not yet.

[Rasa1111]

that is a sweet box man! :D
really niiice!

now i want one........... :lol: ..... <3

[rlauzon]

A couple of minor issues have come up:

1. There's no GUI way to change the sounds associated with different events (like login, logout). This seems to be just something left out of Ubuntu 9.10, based on what I've read. Low priority and there's a work around (i.e. replace the files in /usr/share/sounds with what you want).

2. After 5 minutes of inactivity, the display would blank. The screen saver was turned off. The power management was turned off for the monitor. The monitor never went to sleep - the display was simply blanked. Notifications (like from my bittorrent client) would display.

The issue was an X server issue. This (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1222980&highlight=screen+blanking) solved the issue.

[ShowMeGrrl]

2. After 5 minutes of inactivity, the display would blank. The screen saver was turned off. The power management was turned off for the monitor. The monitor never went to sleep - the display was simply blanked. Notifications (like from my bittorrent client) would display.

The issue was an X server issue. This solved the issue.

The screen went blank -- and then what? Were you able to wake it up? Or was the machine just dead and you had to reboot?

Also, what would have happened if screensaver was turned on?

I guess I'm having trouble understanding the difference between screen blank and sleep. (Please forgive my relative lack of experience.)

[rlauzon]

The screen went blank -- and then what? Were you able to wake it up? Or was the machine just dead and you had to reboot?

Blank as in "blank". The monitor was on. It was still displaying. But some process basically displayed just a plain black screen.

Also, what would have happened if screensaver was turned on?

The screen went blank (even though the screensaver was not set to "blank screen").

I guess I'm having trouble understanding the difference between screen blank and sleep. (Please forgive my relative lack of experience.)

The monitor was obviously not sleeping nor was the PC sleeping. Both were obviously fully powered and working.

[ShowMeGrrl]

Blank as in "blank". The monitor was on. It was still displaying. But some process basically displayed just a plain black screen.

Hmmm. Thanks for the reply. One of the reasons I was a little puzzled is that my Windows XP PC screen routinely goes to a plain black screen when the computer is inactive for x number of minutes. But then when I click anywhere on the screen with my mouse, I get the login splash screen and can immediately get back to the desktop. I don't experience the plain black screen as a problem.

I realize Linux != Windows XP, but I was just wondering if what you were describing was the same thing. However, it sounds as if maybe you are not describing the same thing. In other words, your plain black screen is not the same as my plain black screen -- if that makes any sense!