Linux Ubuntu Media Server PC for under $350 - Hardware Selection - Buying a PC

The Goal: Build a cheap Ubuntu Linux box for movie and photo viewing on my widescreen TV

I recently experimented with connecting my Xubuntu Linux laptop to my TV and found the results to be interesting enough to seriously rethink my entire media strategy.

It inspired me to embark on a project with a simple goal. To get a PC dedicated to the task. I’m not going to install “Ubuntu Media Server” which is a distribution in it’s own right.. There is no need - it’s just Ubuntu Linux with some extra stuff - so I’m going to install Ubuntu.

My criteria were:

• Spend less than $350
• Leave the door open to upgrade to gigabit ( fast ) network and high end video card
• Find a PC that fit in a space 14.8” high
• Find a PC with low noise levels

Is $350 / entry level too much to ask? NO. Since Microsoft’s launch of Vista, you’ll find that “entry level” for Vista means “loaded!” for Linux!

Build or Buy? What is the best foundation for a Media Center PC

Well that really depends on what special offers you can find, but, it’s more and more common to be able to buy a PC for the same or less than the sum of it’s parts.

I considered one of the cheapo Ubuntu PCs, like the Walmart $199, but reseach that and you’ll find it’s not very expandable - it’s micro sized components in a big box, and more suited to installing in my car than my TV room.. another project brews.

I tracked prices and offers at Tigerdirect.com ( build your own ), HP, Dell and retailers like Circuit City, Best Buy, MicroCenter and CompUSA and decided that I really could buy something within the price range ready made, with the advantage of user reviews to help me gauge fan noise potential.

In the end, the offers at Dell outshone the competion, and their 14.5” high cases closed the deal for me.

How to get the best deal at Dell.com

In a word, “experiment”. There are at least 3 different paths you can take to get the same hardware at Dell.com, with a price variance of up to $60!

On the Inspiron 531 line, you get to choose between standard and “Slim” for the same price. Either could do, but know that the “Slim” version has more limited video driver possibilities - it only accepts half height cards.

The three routes are:

• Build your own ( which takes you down a Vista path )
• Search site for “Ubuntu” which takes you to the Ubuntu Linux Dell PCs
• “Built For you” which offers you a small selection of prebuilt Vista Machines

Try them all! You’ll find price variation like:

• Monitor can be removed from package to save up to $170
• The optical disk on some is a decent Rewrite DVD, and some is more basic with a $30 upgrade option
• Some come with Linux as the OS, but the base hardware is often more expensive!

Another option is to google “Dell Coupons” and see what you come up with. When I ordered, the way to go was the “Built For You” non-customizable machines with the default options, but removed monitor.

• $329
• Free Shipping
• Decent AMD processor ( my preference )
• 1 gig RAM
• 250gig disk
• Onboard nVidia ( for Ubuntu, if in doubt get nVidia )
• Decent Rewriteable DVD that other routes charge an extra $30 for
• A Vista license ( for what it’s worth )

That’s pretty meaty. Just before Vista release I bought my current desktop, a very similar HP for $600 and it has a slightly slower processor!

Tips on Ordering from Dell and getting your gear QUICKLY

Dell go out of their way to avoid giving you shipping estimates during the order process. Their FAQ talks about build times of 3-6 days, but doesn’t make any promises.

Before ordering call DELL customer service and ask what the lead time on builds at the moment. If you have a local DELL store call them too. The answers I got were “about 10 days” and “about 6 days”.

After ordering, the shipping estimate I got from DELL was 30 days!

DELL pride themselves on customer service, and a follow up email detailing that I got verbal estimates of 6 to 10 days got things in motion. I persisted, and the result was an overnight Saturday delivery, 8 days after my order.

I think if you keep going in a DELL email customer support thread, they will continue to make the effort to give you what you consider to be good service. If you don’t ask, you won’t get.

Next steps. Coming very soon