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Which is a good choice for a hobbyist / experiment machine? [closed]

Which is a good choice for a hobbyist / experiment machine? [closed]

I plan to buy a hobbyist machine which can install various Windows and Linux.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 295
Total answers/comments: 2
Guest [Entry]

"I'd recommend using virtual machines to run these under a host OS, this way you can easily set snapshots so you can mess around with the system and if you hose it, revert to a previous configuration. In terms of learning how things work, without the risk of wasting hours setting things up, it's a lot easier to play.

If that's the route you go down, I'd install the barest minimum needed to run VirtualBox with the largest disks, most RAM and fastest processor you can get.

Maybe something like Xubuntu would be a suitable host OS. VirtualBox will install 99% of OSs, from things like Windows 3.1 to Windows 7, and from any Linux to ReactOS to AmigaOS."
Guest [Entry]

"Obviously you want this machine to be your test-bed, so I'd suggest that you get a second hand PC or a second hand parts that way you could even play around with the hardware configuration and get exactly what you want for any specific application or operating system.. also a good way to economize.

If you get a good bargain you could probably purchase extra spares too in the same budget that you planned, just be careful not to get duped."