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View Full Version : Help me build a Cheap Linux Box



The Jinx
September 21st, 2007, 05:41 PM
Greetings my fellow Ubuntu lovers,

I am currently looking to build a very cheap Ubuntu Machine but I don't know where to start so I am asking for your help. As I am working with a budget I hope you can help me in my adventure to build a new Linux Box.

Requirements:
~ Must be under $150 or $200 shipped to United States , New York
~ Must be able to run Ubuntu 7.04
~ Must be able to run Beryl
~ Must be able to run Gaim / Pidgin
~ Must be able to surf the internet (check emails, post on ubuntuforums.org and watch streaming videos from youtube, etc.)

Thanks,
~ Jinx ~

LaRoza
September 21st, 2007, 06:05 PM
Requirements:
~ Must be under $150 or $200 shipped to United States , New York
~ Must be able to run Ubuntu 7.04
~ Must be able to run Beryl
~ Must be able to run Gaim / Pidgin
~ Must be able to surf the internet (check emails, post on ubuntuforums.org and watch streaming videos from youtube, etc.)

Thanks,
~ Jinx ~

I would look for used, or garbage computers. That is a low price for a computer with more than 512 MB of RAM, and a decent video card.

Try looking for used hardware, or a cheap modern computer, and add on later.

Bachstelze
September 21st, 2007, 06:06 PM
ebay.

voided3
September 21st, 2007, 06:10 PM
I got a computer w/ an 800mhz PIII, an Asus mobo, 64mb of RAM, a 20GB drive, and a 8mb SiS video card for $15 at a flea market and I already had 512mb SDRAM laying around and a 64mb MX440 so I got a pretty good system for an actual cost of (if you were to buy the parts) probably about $40 (though cost me only $15 once again). It runs Xubuntu w/ Beryl well, though I have Puppy Linux on it now and it's KILLER fast (no joke).

angryfirelord
September 21st, 2007, 06:41 PM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856167010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103031
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106084
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144173
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220089
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125073

You may want to double-check to make sure I got everything right. It comes to $226.

jrusso2
September 21st, 2007, 06:58 PM
I know people that have gotten used P III Dells off ebay for $80 and just added more memory and had a decent Linux box for less then $150.

Anthem
September 21st, 2007, 07:08 PM
Used is the way to go. Check Craigslist or your local paper.

If you want to buy new, the low-end Inspiron 531s is a pretty good deal. $350 gets you a decent product in a slim tower (no monitor):

AMD Sempron™ 3600+
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
48X CD-RW/ DVD Combo Drive
Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 graphics GPU
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
56K PCI Data Fax Modem

More than enough for what you're looking for.

angryfirelord
September 21st, 2007, 07:13 PM
One more thing I forgot to point out: Look at some of the refurbished PCs at tigerdirect. With a rebate, you can get a pretty good PC for a low price.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3302628&body=MAIN

You'll have to add a video card to get better 3D support.