Been looking at System76, ZaReason and others.

Not bad looking builds you can put together. Good-enough pricing, too.
Until you get to the "I don't live in the USA so I have to pay huge shipping and customs" part of it. A larf riot, that.

Now it looks like I'll have to buy the parts and build one.

My question: Is this going to actually be worth the effort? If I use the same specific parts that these dealers say they use, and if all goes well, will I be better off than if I just bought a high-quality Windows box and just dual-booted it?

I'm questioning whether a "Linux-built box" means anything practical.

Appreciate feed-back.

If you are assembling your own box, there is no reason to use exactly the same parts they used. Just make sure you are using pretty standard parts, that go well together, and that are well supported by the Linux kernel. It is important to get very specific on parts if you need to support specific software (games, CAD, CADD, video editing, etc.) or operations (database server, etc.).

Thanks. It turns out that their parts list is pretty generic anyway.

And a whole lot cheaper if I do It myself. But I like that this parts list would seem to be "proven" as I'm not seeing a lot in the way of complaint.

I kind of doubt any consumer system was ever build just for linux exactly. OEM's test on windows (macos) and offer linux later. Some specialty one of a kind could be purpose build for some special task in linux/bsd/qnx sort of deal.

If shipping from the USA is the primary block then consider companies in the UK/EU:
https://www.entroware.com/store/inde...te=common/home
https://slimbook.es/en/

I've always had good luck with buying off-lease refurbished business boxes (desktop and laptop).

1 members found this post helpful.

Linux works well with generic.

I've had three Zareasons and a ThinkPenguin. They were all Intel inside. The main feature of native Linux boxes is that they avoid hardware that can be problematic or require special drivers, such as Nvidia, Broadcom, Realtec, etc. In my experience, you are not paying for exotic hardware when you get a native Linux box; you are paying for quality hardware. And you are paying for a promise that the hardware will work out-of-the-box with Linux.

The ones I've used have had good to excellent hardware, depending on the model, a cut above the inexpensive consumer grade stuff from major vendors (note that I'm not knocking consumer-grade, just making an observation--I got more than my money's worth from several Dell Inspirons over the years).

Just my two cents.

I've never bought a new PC for myself. Twice I bought bargain basement refurbs as extras, but my primary machines have always been self-built - 29 years so far. Pick the right components and they just work. The main thing is to avoid buying hardware newer than the software. Let other people be the guinea pigs if you're not a driver coder.

I've been sticking exclusively to Intel GPUs and CPUs on new purchases for quite some time, but have bargain priced used AMD and NVidia GPUs from eBay on some machines.

I've never found a box I couldn't run Linux on. Sometimes it required camping on Linus' development tree, but what the hell.
Mind you, there are some I avoid. Lenovo comes immediately to mind.

I used to screw around and build my own, but then approached my (local) parts shop and asked what a built-to-spec system would cost. Bugger all more than if I did it myself - and they would do a burn-in test as well. Sat down with a very knowledgable young lady and debated the pros and cons of various bits; from PSU to memory - very worthwhile for the few extra bucks. They got pretty cranky when I told them I didn't want Windoze - they used an OEM for the burn-in; I told them to erase it before delivery.
Do it again next time too, great value for money.

1 members found this post helpful.

Build-it-yourself is the way to go for Linux boxes. The reasons are that you can choose the exact components that you want, and choose components that work well with Linux. You get a machine that is easily serviceable and upgradable because it is 100% built with standard components.

Build-it-yourself will likely cost about the same as pre-built. It makes the most sense if you are looking for a high-end desktop.

The main con is that you may have to debug it yourself. Both of my HEDTs had marginal DIMMs that I had to weed out (but I have also experienced marginal DIMMs in pre-built PCs).
Ed

Hi,

I have been building systems for years. I buy quality case and a sized spec PSU that may cost a little more but you will have a better system.

I have used both Intel & AMD for different builds but I usually select AMD for the cost. Personal Motherboard preferences are usually spec to what I will be doing with that boxen. I have used MSI, Asrock, ASUS and even GigaByte. I do like water cooled systems for reliable quiet service. Even with water cooling I will install case fans and a filter is a must for the chosen case.

It all boils down to what you want to do with the system and how much you can spend. You can find a lot of guides online; https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-pc

One thing to remember is to make proper cable management throughout the system. This too will depend on the case style you choose. Plus I like a bottom mount PSU case to allow better cooling flow and cabling.

Be sure to size spec the system before hand so you know what you will need to get.

Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!

1 members found this post helpful.

Great stuff, thanks all!

Talking to the shop down the street about building it for me - got bad eyes here - we'll see what they come up with.
Sent them a starter list to see what they come up with price/time.

1 members found this post helpful.

Update:

3 local shops are apparently run by bandits - prices ridiculous so giving up on that way. But -

I currently have a dual-boot Lenovo box - it's still dual-boot because it will NOT RUN without the Windows 10 disk. I tried all kinds of things but had to keep Win10. Does anybody know why?

I'm asking cuz have found a good-looking Dell and I'm told Dell's are the same. (It's not really that important, I can always use Windows to repair screwed-up USB sticks )

What do Linux users think of Dell with a Ryzen 7 ??

And mostly just curious about why this windows thing happens.

I can't remember now what my pre-loved Lenovo box came with. I think it may have been Windows 10 because it's a UEFI machine with a GPT disk. Anyway, I scrubbed the lot and I've had no trouble running a Linux-only setup on it.

@syg00. What have you got against Lenovo?

binkyd,

The cheapest Ryzen 7 is a gaming CPU which costs about £140 and is rated at 15070 and is overkill in my opinion for what you need.
The Ryzen 5 2400G CPU is rated at 9323 which is more than adequate I would suggest.

Here is a ready- built Xenta Ryzen 5 8GB 240GB SSD Desktop PC with no operating system from Ebuyer at a reasonable £299:
https://www.ebuyer.com/910260-xenta-...SABEgImX_D_BwE

A Ryzen 7 gaming PC will start at about £700.

To give you some idea of self-build component prices for both Intel and AMD, here are two spec lists. The total in each case is about £350 which includes two drives:

INTEL
CPU:
Intel i3-8100 (1151 socket-Coffee Lake) rated at 8000:................................... £100
https://www.ebuyer.com/805380-intel-...-bx80684i38100

Motherboard:ASUS PRIME H310M-R R2.0 (Socket 1151/H310/DDR4/S-ATA 600/Micro ATX)............ £57.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-PRIME-...a-830602490040

Memory:
Crucial Ballistix 2 x 4GB = 8GB kit.................................................. £38
https://www.ebuyer.com/736863-crucia...-bls4g4d240fsc

Drive(s):
WD 1 TB PC Hard Drive – Blue………………………………………….....................................................£34.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD-TB-PC-Ha...mputers&sr=1-1

SanDisk SSD PLUS 240 GB………………………………………………..................................................£29.58
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-PLU...mputers&sr=1-2

Case:
Corsair Carbide Series 88R Windowed mATX/Mini-ITX Case for Computer – Black....................£43.82

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CC-...mputers&sr=1-1

PSU:
Corsair CP-9020120-UK CX Series 450 W CX450 ATX/EPS 80 PLUS Bronze Power Supply Unit – Black..........£44.99

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CP-...mputers&sr=1-1


…………………………………………………...
AMD
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G Processor (rated at 7330) with Radeon Vega 8 Graphics..................... £79.39
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Ryzen-P.../dp/B079D3DBNM

ASRock B450M Pro4 AM4 M-ATX Motherboard……………………….............................................£70.97
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASRock-B450...mputers&sr=1-1

Corsair Vengeance LPX 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4………………………..........................................£38.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMK...mputers&sr=1-1

WD 1 TB PC Hard Drive – Blue…………………………………………...................................................£34.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD-TB-PC-Ha...mputers&sr=1-1

SanDisk SSD PLUS 240 GB………………………………………………........................................................£29.58
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-PLU...mputers&sr=1-2

Corsair Carbide Series 88R Windowed mATX/Mini-ITX Case for Computer – Black..................... £43.82


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CC-...mputers&sr=1-1

Corsair CP-9020120-UK CX Series 450 W CX450 ATX/EPS 80 PLUS Bronze Power Supply Unit – Black............ £44.99

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CP-...mputers&sr=1-1

I've come to the conclusion that I can no longer build my own due to poor close-up vision (cataract surgery doesn't fix everything) and shaky hands due to age and carpal-tunnel symptoms (no, put away your hankies )
I also have a daughter who's a gamer, and she gave me her input in this a.m. - this is what she wants me to buy:

https://www.amazon.ca/Dell-Inspiron-...ustomerReviews

(odd - the link only shows stock to Prime members)