|
|
Affiliates: Office Depot | Amazon.comOther Cobweb sites: Low End Mac | Low End Living | Reformed.net |
The Missing Upgrade VariableMick
Benoit As you attempt to bring your aging PC up to date, surely you have considered everything. How much RAM can I upgrade it to? Should I get a bigger hard drive? Can I get a processor upgrade or should over clock the existing CPU? The one thing many people overlook or decide on without consideration is the operating system. All of you have certainly seen Microsoft's latest offerings: Windows ME, the most current version of the consumer standard; Windows 2000, which promises the combination of server like stability; and Windows "ease of use" - Windows XP, which brings together the consumer product and the NT core. Perhaps some of you have even heard of Linux, the "renegade hacker" alternative that requires extensive computer knowledge to use, but then rewards you with complete stability. However, you feel chained to the Windows 95 or 98 environment which you have always used. The newer offerings from Microsoft require a recent machine, and Linux seems beyond the technical abilities you possess. But there are alternatives. One in particular stands out as a shining example of what an operating system can be - a pleasant, easy to use enviroment in which to do one's work. With a pleasing interface, support for older hardware, much free software, and a friendly user community, BeOS is a viable, wonderful alternative. HardwareUnlike Microsoft's latest offerings, the newest version of BeOS will run on very modest hardware. A PC with a 133 MHz Pentium or compatible, 32 megabytes of RAM, and 200 megabytes or more of hard drive space is the minimum hardware supported. A VESA-compatible graphics card is also a requisite to enjoy the full beauty of Be's spectacular interface. Not confined to older hardware, BeOS also runs spectacularly on
newer hardware and supports many new peripherals. It runs amazingly
on my Pentium III/750, and I never hear it hit the hard drive except
when loading a program. More information on hardware compatibilty is
available at the BeOS
Ready List on Be's site. Recent Three Finger Salute
Other Recent Content on LEPC
Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Computers are like that. Please report errors to the webmaster. Letters sent to LEPC may be published at our discretion. Email addresses will not be published unless specifically requested. If you prefer that your message not be published, clearly mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style. LINK POLICY: This site allows and encourages links to any public page, so long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking the linked page. PRIVACY POLICY: In brief, we don't collect any personal information unless you explicitly provide it. Low End PC is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft, Intel, or anyone else. Many company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are hereby acknowledged. For more details, see our Terms of Use. | Resources
|
