I want to get a cheap desktop machine to act as the base and
printserver for my wireless network - consisting of just one laptop.
Printer is an HP 5550.
What would be the minimum machine I should pick up from a used
computer store? I have an old monitor, but will need a keyboard an
mouse.
Just about anything new enough to have a fair remaining life
expectancy would be fine. I would avoid something old enough to be
socket 7, especially Super7, which had more incompatibilities and
issues. I suggest something like a socket 370 Coppermine P3 or
Celeron in the ~ 500-800Mhz range, but slower would be OK too from a
performance standpoint. It might also depend on the OS you'll use and
the size of HDD... HDDs being parts that wear out, you might find it
beneficial to put a new drive in it, and perhaps replace the fans as
well unless they're known good name-brand. If sleeve-bearing fans
still working fairly well, lube them.
Similar issues as with modern systems, start with good parts
regardless of the particular technology, age, and go from there. The
power supply ought to be a name-brand too. It might be easier to find
OEM boxes at some shops, in which case I'd suggest a Gateway or Dell
over a Compaq or HP.
Dave
