User:Mrmiscellanious/$97 Linux-based desktop computer

From time to time, people often ask me to build them a new computer, or find me one that's awfully cheap. Now, for the majority of computer users around the world - surfing the web, sending email, instant messaging and word processing are probably the most used tasks of a computer. Luckily for many, these tasks require minimal power, space - and can run on a very cheap computer, built from scratch.

Furthermore, this project is not even proven to work. All the products below, if assembled correctly, should work - but I haven't tested any of the products listed below. Also, you'll need your own monitor, keyboard and mouse for comfortable usage of this machine.

Now, I didn't keep a real good track of economics here - a simple adding of rounded-to-whole-dollars, some may include shipping, some not, etc. In either way, the price (without shipping/potential taxes) should actually be lower than $97.

Parts
All computers need parts. But more importantly, they need parts that work together. Below are links to parts that are readily available to purchase via the Internet that can be used to construct a computer for approximately $97 US Dollars:


 * Case:. Now, I know you could be one of those people who would make their own case out of wood, or even stuff it into a camera case - but let's stay traditional (and cheap), and go with this homebrew case and power supply combo for $19.  Sure beige isn't as attractive as it was 15 years ago, but then again - I don't think too many of us are, either.


 * Motherboard: ASUS is a very nice producer of motherboards.  I found a very versatile motherboard (refurbished) with onboard Video and LAN, but chose to leave out Audio (due to the fact that this machine won't have a CD-ROM drive, nor will support the storage for media files).  Including a power cord, screws, and power supply connectors, you can find the ASUS CUV-LV Motherboard for ~$20.


 * CPU: We don't need that much power on this machine (much to Tim Allen's dismay), so we'll keep it simple with a 600MHz Pentium III processor (which fits the 370 Socket, meaning it will work in our Motherboard above). 600MHz PIII processor for $11.


 * Fan: Since we're buying mostly OEM or even refurbished products, the above CPU doesn't come with a heatsink or a fan. Luckily, these are cheap items (and are probably better off bought at a local store rather than online).  A quick search gave me this combo for Socket 370 processors for $5.


 * RAM: Simple PC133 SDRAM will do. Originally, I was planning to have 256MB of RAM, but I realized later on that this project wouldn't need it.  Instead, we're going with a standard, but sufficient, 128MB of RAM priced at $12.


 * Storage Media: Compact Flash cards will do just as good as a hard drive for this purpose.  For what this computer is going to be used for, 256MB of storage is plenty enough for the Operating System along with most of the essential programs.  Kingston 256MB CompactFlash card priced for $19.


 * Connector: This is the little device that will make our CompactFlash card act like a hard drive. By connecting the card to this device, an IDE cable can match it at the other end to perform hard-drive like tasks. I'm sure a few of the more advanced hobbyists can probably make their own device like this for cheaper, but to stay on the pre-assembled track (for parts, that is), a CompactFlash to IDE connector will run you $11.

Add them all up, and it equals $97. As said before, this is more of an estimation (as taxes and shipping are included in some, and not in others) - but proves that a ~$100 desktop is feasible for the commercial market.

Operation of project
Now, as of this stage - the computer lacks a floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, and phone modem. But, you should only need to use a CD-ROM drive once (and, if your Internet doesn't connect via phone line, a modem is unnecessary as well) - meaning you could install the Operating system on another machine, or connect a spare drive up to the project. Once installation is complete, you won't need the drive anymore.

A choice of Linux distros below are ideal for this project:
 * Puppy Linux. Very easy to use flavor packed with almost all basic programs a normal user would need, although a little large in size with a full installation - either way, it *should* fit on the card (but you might have to stray away from the install script).
 * Damn Small Linux. Smallest distro with its programs, and leaves plenty of room on the flash card for more applications to be installed (through the use of apt-get, as it is derived from Debian).
 * Austrumi. Slackware is a very nice and strong distro, and provides the base of Austrumi.  Similar to DSL, the distro allows for more programs to be installed on the flash drive if the base install doesn't provide enough.