Looking for a cheap pre-built box for running Linux as a workstation

[anandtechuser07]

I want to buy an inexpensive pre-built box for running Linux as a workstation (I don't mind buying it with windows and installing Linux on it). I'll be using it for C++ applications development. I'd like to be able to run the latest wiz-bang graphics that KDE/Gnome have to offer. Can someone recommend a good, cheap box for $400 or less?

Thanks.

 

[IlllI]

shuttle kpc?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

In these cases I almost always recommend checking out the business end of the Dell Outlet. Even now they have a great Dell Vostro 200 slim tower with an 80GB drive and 1GB of memory for $309. Even better it was simply Previously Ordered New. As close to a new system as possible. On the other side they still have many other options that you can look at there.

 

[I4AT]

Originally posted by: clandren
shuttle kpc?

When are these supposed to be out? The $99 barebone seems interesting, are they any smaller than the typical XPC?

 

[anandtechuser07]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
In these cases I almost always recommend checking out the business end of the Dell Outlet. Even now they have a great Dell Vostro 200 slim tower with an 80GB drive and 1GB of memory for $309. Even better it was simply Previously Ordered New. As close to a new system as possible. On the other side they still have many other options that you can look at there.

Thanks for that pointer. There seem to be good deals, although I'm wary of buying used systems, even if they've been "certified". I'll be using the system to write critical code, so I'd hate to have the CPU fry or the hard drive crash.

 

[Zap]

Look for one of the Dell Vostro 200 deals. You can get a brand new dual core system WITH a widescreen LCD for under $450 out the door. If you don't need the monitor, sell it and use the money to buy a PCI-E video card for the system.

 

[anandtechuser07]

Didn't want the Vostro. Instead, I just bought a Dell XPS 210 for $589+tax from Dell Outlet. This configuration new is $999. It has a Core 2 Duo E6420 at 2.13 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive, and a motherboard video card (Intel GMA 3000).

Gonna install a good distro (Fedora, Kubuntu, or SUSE), and later get an ATI 2400 video card later.

WAS THIS A GOOD DEAL? Y/N

http://www.dell.com/content/pr...?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs