Thread: How to buy, setup (hardware), build, or start with linux computers?

# step 1. find distro
newbies, use popular linux distro maximum support.
if particular , feel of distro, customize popular distro according , feel of choice. trust me, don't waste time on this!
google "distro rank"

32 bit or 64 bit?
http://club.cdfreaks.com/f3/32-bit-o...it-cpu-225213/
quote"... installing 32 bit os on 64 bit machine easier installing 64 bit version. 64 bit drivers not available lot of hardware. lot of software available in 32 bit version. can lead problems when need mix , match 32 , 64 bit software. example: running 64 bit web browser 32 bit plugins flashplayer. " end of quote


# step 2. find motherboard
chances local computer shop tell motherboards linux compatible.

or google "linux computer <your city>"
http://www.linux.org/vendor/system/index.html
http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/23168/
http://www.linuxhaxor.net/?p=850
http://www.linuxhq.com/vendors/systems.html

or go distro's hardware store...
or go ebay.com -> computers & networking -> computer components -> motherboards
under search field, check box of "include title , description",
search "linux",

or search "linux" under ebay.com -> computers & networking -> pc desktops or pc laptops & netbooks

check compatibility list
google "<distro name>" "hardware compatibility list"
google "<distro name>" "motherboard" or "mainboard"
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/hardwaresupport
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/hcl
http://en.opensuse.org/hardware
http://hcl.mandriva.com/


if have time further research...
google "linux hardware compatibility list", example:
http://www.linux-drivers.org/
http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/index.php
http://www.ubuntuhcl.org/
http://www.linux.org/hardware/
http://www.linuxcompatible.org/compatibility.html

... motherboards linux compatible. different chipsets, there driver @ linux kernel...


# step 3. find accessories...
hard disks, monitors, optical drives, keyboards, , mice linux compatible.
following devices, make sure check linux compatibility lists first, before buying them! wireless adapters, printers, microphones, webcams, camcorders, cameras, video cards, sound cards, ...

ebay great source compatible hardwares, too!
ebay.com-> computers & networking->
check box "include title , description",
search "linux", click on components on left
or search "linux wireless adapter" or "linux webcam"

enjoy it! =)

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