Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Colonel Panic · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 2022

HI. I'm currently using a 12 year old Compaq PIII, and also have a Dell Optiplex GX-620 which needs a bit of work after I trashed the boot sector a couple of months ago (basically, the disk needs reformatting and then a fresh reinstall of something). It can be done, but as an alternative I'm thinking of getting a new computer instead.

Has anyone tried any of these small fanless machines, such as the Mint computer, the MintBox? If so, what did you think of it?

http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2383

I'm thinking it might not only be compact and cool-running but also quiet and cheaper to run than my Dell (anything would be quieter than this Compaq, especially with the hot weather we're having in the UK at the moment).

Thanks in advance,

CP .

Flash · Posted: Sun 14 Jul 2013, 19:38 Post subject:

A fanless computer is the way to go if you can find one that does everything you want, which shouldn't be a problem these days.

One serious problem with fans - other than their unreliability I mean - that no one seems to mention is the amount of dust they pull inside the computer. For no reason I can think of, the dust seems to prefer to stay inside the computer and cause problems.

wibble · Joined: 10 Jul 2013 Posts: 77

re - fans on base units.

I had to service a unit from a bar a couple of times, the amount of tar/dust inside the base was insane. Shocked

It was only 12 months old, was jammed packed with crap. took 2 hours of cleaning to get it looking respectable.

That was extreme but most of the units I took a look at had a fair amount of dust inside.

Colonel Panic · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 2022

Thanks for the replies so far and the advice given. I agree about the dust (though a can of compressed air does come in handy), but it's also the noise which you get with fans (especiallly when the weather is hot, as it is here at the moment) that bothers me.

Sage · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 5417 Location: GB

Why not run a Raspberry Pi. The kit from CPC is not only cheap, but their SD card still contains a Puppy version which runs satisfactorily. No Flash, of course, so Auntie's reprise isn't possible, but still plenty of options.

Colonel Panic · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 2022

RetroTechGuy · Joined: 15 Dec 2009 Posts: 2911 Location: USA

rokytnji · Joined: 20 Jan 2009 Posts: 2287

If I had a disaster and had to replace all my gear. I guess I would start with something like this or this
or this

depending on how much coin is in my pocket after the disaster. Right now though my last computer came out of a dumpster which runs as media center plugged into a 200 watt per channel anolog pioneer amplifier running ceiling speakers playing through xmms streaming radio in my Motorcycle shop in AntiX 11 Base.