[NTLUG:Discuss] Computer (FYI)

[Kelledin]

On Saturday 15 February 2003 08:35 pm, terry wrote:
> Did ya see the Fry's flier in Friday's paper?  In particular
> the $179 computer, complete with keyboard, speakers, etc., all
> but a monitor. 733 MHz, 30 gig HD, 128 meg RAM, CD, NIC, 56K
> modem.  It would make a great office computer, or server.  It
> comes with Thiz Linux, which is a Chinese Linux distribution. 
> It's a truly unbeatable price!
>
> One interesting detail is the processor, it's my first time to
> hear of a VIA processor.   I would buy one if I could, just to
> see how it runs, but am busy right now and don't have the
> money or the time at the moment.

Yup, VIA makes processors now.  Ever since they swept up Cyrix, 
they've carried on making uber-cheap x86 processors.

There's not much to say about the VIA processor.  IIRC its FPU is 
only clocked at half the core speed, and the rest of it isn't so 
great on performance either--but it's very cool running and 
suitable for a lot of low-end tasks these days.

Intel's lower clocked Tualatin processors (.13u Pentium 3 parts) 
are probably a better solution, if you can track them down and 
don't mind paying extra for the Intel name.  Sadly, the entire 
Pentium3 line is getting discontinued in favor of the 
space-heater better known as the Pentium4. :(

-- 
Kelledin
"If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does 
it still cost four figures to fix?"