What do you think about this computer?

[gregorylock]

I was on PCLinux website and found this computer.  I thought it might be a good replacement for my old test PC which is a Dell Vostro 400

My Dell Vostro Specs.  It's about 12 years old at this point, and I was having some problems with running the later versions of VLC and compositing on MX Linux 19.2.

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System:    Host: gregory-Vostro-400 Kernel: 4.15.0-112-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Xfce 4.12.3 (Gtk 2.24.28) Distro: Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Machine:   System: Dell product: Vostro 400
           Mobo: Dell model: 0GN723 v: ��� Bios: Dell v: 1.0.15 date: 06/23/2008
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core2 Duo E4600 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips: 9575
           clock speeds: max: 2400 MHz 1: 1200 MHz 2: 1220 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA GT218 [GeForce 210] bus-ID: 01:00.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 driver: nvidia Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: GeForce 210/PCIe/SSE2 GLX Version: 3.3.0 NVIDIA 340.107 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card-1 NVIDIA High Definition Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 01:00.1
           Card-2 Intel 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.15.0-112-generic
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82562V-2 10/100 Network Connection
           driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: ff00 bus-ID: 00:19.0
           IF: enp0s25 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
           Card-2: D-Link System DGE-528T Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: de00 bus-ID: 02:01.0
           IF: enp2s1 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 561.7GB (3.9% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD5000LPLX size: 500.1GB
           ID-2: USB /dev/sdb model: Cruzer_Glide size: 61.6GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 455G used: 17G (4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.29GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 40.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 0.0:39C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 171 Uptime: 1 min Memory: 387.0/3943.4MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0 Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35
I use that computer for testing linux distros on real hardware and I watch youtube videos through my TV.  So I'm just curious what you think of the computer I found.  At a glance I think it looks like a low cost replacement.  Another idea I have is, replace the motherboard, ram and cpu in the old Dell Case.

[Spatry]

While not necessarily cut out for gaming, it should be ok to use as a desktop or server. Unlike many Intel processors which offers 2 threads per core, this one only has 4 threads  total and is a Celeron processor. This looks like a small unit, larger than the PI.

For the price tag, I would personally pass this one up as I can find used i7 machines on Ebay in that price range. I would not mind having something like this for Opensim but I have had issues with low range Celeron processors not being able to handle the constant hammering of Mysql applications.

[Ironclaw]

I'd probably be looking for something more like this  Less money, faster, more memory and more expandable.

Another good place to look is if you have a college or university near you they very often sell off their older machines cheap when they replace them.

[Linux Lounge]

I'd probably be looking for something more like this  Less money, faster, more memory and more expandable.

Another good place to look is if you have a college or university near you they very often sell off their older machines cheap when they replace them.

I second this, I've heard of people getting absolutely amazing deals doing this, then all you need to do is buy an SSD and graphics card off eBay and you're all set

[Spatry]

Good one, Ironclaw! That is the machine you want Gregory!

[Kalthrix]

I'd probably be looking for something more like this  Less money, faster, more memory and more expandable.

Another good place to look is if you have a college or university near you they very often sell off their older machines cheap when they replace them.

I agree with Ironclaw. Definitely a good route to go. Can find some pretty decent machines. We don't sell computers directly at the university I work at, but use a e-recycler TAMS (link below). If you live in the U.S., would be a good resource. I don't believe they ship internationally though.

https://www.tams.shop/Default.asp

If you need just a laptop, but don't have preference on the brand (either Dell, HP, Lenovo); see the below link. These go for $280 across the board. Again, going through the same place/different site, I believe they only ship within the U.S.

https://www.tamsoutlet.com/category-s/136.htm

[Crimson]

Absolutely jump on that HP EliteDesk, those are great machines! My bench at work only has an i5, but it still runs VMs and everything else like a champ!

[gregorylock]

Thank you for your recommendation.  I'm sorry that I didn't respond sooner.  I clicked the notification button but I only got one notification.  I should of received several notifications.  That EliteDesk is very tempting.  I still feel like rebuilding my old dell machine.  Because that mid tower case has room for a hard drive drive bay, like an icy dock.