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While Popular Mechanics is not really the last word in computer technical publications, this is an interesting comparison. It should come as no surprise to a more than casual user that a unix based OS would outperform almost any Windoze system. Even the now-bloated RedHat Linux is sleek compared to Vista.

We use *nix almost exclusively in our office with only two machines with W2K on them. One is a ‘honey pot’ and the other is a firewall. The real work is done on *nix systems, mostly Suse.

I recently purchased the following:

HP Pavilion Slimline s3400z PC
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
- AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 4400+ dual-core - 2.3GHz
- FREE UPGRADE to 3GB DDR2-800MHz dual channel SDRAM from 2GB
- Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
- No Modem
- 250GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
- LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
- 15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, headphone port
- Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ front audio ports
- No additional security software (60-day Norton Internet Security trial)
- Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
- HP keyboard and HP optical mouse

I have a 19” Dell flat screen monitor already. The above speced unit cost me $430 including freight (tax not included). Since I use the thing for surfing the web and email 99% of the time, the value appears to be with this unit vs the more expensive alternatives shown above.