dell or compaq?

I'm intending to buy a cheap base unit to run freebsd on; I'm looking
at either a dell or compaq 2nd hand effort; possibly a dell optiplex
PIII from itdealers.

Can anyone say please which is likely to be the more reliable make -
and if either has possible nasty maintenance problems like
non-standard components?

Thanks for any advice..

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On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 15:02:11 +0000, Mike Scott
wrote:

I'm intending to buy a cheap base unit to run freebsd on; I'm looking
at either a dell or compaq 2nd hand effort; possibly a dell optiplex
PIII from itdealers.

Can anyone say please which is likely to be the more reliable make -
and if either has possible nasty maintenance problems like
non-standard components?

I would go for a P3 based Compaq Deskpro EP/EX system - they use ATX
compliant cases and power supplies. The Optiplex range are solid as a
rock but are non standard - the desktop systems use riser cards,
proprietary PSUs etc etc.

--
Mike Jenkins
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Mike's Auctions: http://makeashorterlink.com/?W49D31BA1

Mike Scott wrote:

I'm intending to buy a cheap base unit to run freebsd on; I'm looking
at either a dell or compaq 2nd hand effort; possibly a dell optiplex
PIII from itdealers.

Can anyone say please which is likely to be the more reliable make -
and if either has possible nasty maintenance problems like
non-standard components?

Thanks for any advice..

For running FreeBSD I think Compaq would be a safer bet. Occassionally
there have been issues with branded PCs under FreeBSD (and Linux too I
would guess) but there is/was some joint projects between
Compaq/FreeBSD, mainly involving high-end servers IIRC, but it would
inspire more confidence in me to use Compaq.

Take a look at

http://tinyurl.com/2luv4

HTH

Regards,

Parish


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Replies to the header address will be junked, as will mail from
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On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 15:27:20 +0000, Parish wrote:

Mike Scott wrote:

I'm intending to buy a cheap base unit to run freebsd on; I'm looking
at either a dell or compaq 2nd hand effort; possibly a dell optiplex
PIII from itdealers.

Can anyone say please which is likely to be the more reliable make -
and if either has possible nasty maintenance problems like
non-standard components?
....

For running FreeBSD I think Compaq would be a safer bet. Occassionally
there have been issues with branded PCs under FreeBSD (and Linux too I
would guess) but there is/was some joint projects between
Compaq/FreeBSD, mainly involving high-end servers IIRC, but it would
inspire more confidence in me to use Compaq.

Take a look at

http://tinyurl.com/2luv4

(Amazing what blind spots one can have... I seem to have hunted for
everything but 'dell compaq' on the freebsd groups :-( )

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 15:24:51 +0000, Mike Jenkins
wrote:
I would go for a P3 based Compaq Deskpro EP/EX system - they use ATX
compliant cases and power supplies. The Optiplex range are solid as a
rock but are non standard - the desktop systems use riser cards,
proprietary PSUs etc etc.

Interesting that the first thread on the url above suggests compaq
tends to be problematic custom stuff needing special drivers, and
recommends dell, as do others further on. Confusing!

Maybe 'brand name' PCs aren't such a good idea for this project
(replacing an unreliable, but otherwise more-than-adequate, PII for my
home 'net gateway).

Thanks for the thoughts though.

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Please use the corrected version of the address below for replies.
Replies to the header address will be junked, as will mail from
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