I just want a computer that will let me edit video with Ubuntu Studio or play games that I know my “low-end” laptop won’t play right now. If this laptop had more RAM and a graphics accelerator I probably wouldn’t be asking these questions. It doesn’t have the space for a graphics card.
After my HDD died and was replaced with a clean one I installed this Ubuntu Linux, so far I would say it is excellent. It is more stable and less buggy than any Windows I have had.
I am considering installing Windows 7 and running Linux from a USB when I want it. I definitely do not need a “jet engine”, lol. Even if I get a desktop I will probably use this laptop most of the time.
I just want a computer that will let me edit video with Ubuntu Studio or play games that I know my “low-end” laptop won’t play right now. If this laptop had more RAM and a graphics accelerator I probably wouldn’t be asking these questions. It doesn’t have the space for a graphics card.
My humble suggestion...
Video accelerators "cards" are typically built in on the motherboard. My Dell has an integrated Intel GMA 4500. Most of the ones on the motherboard will not be screaming fast.
The two big vendors left besides Intel are
Nvidia and
AMD/ATI Technologies.
The key is getting a version of the OS that is compatible with drivers that support the accelerator.
Often an upgrade to a new OS version will cause old drivers to not work; a case like that is highlighted here:
http://cygwin.com/ml/cygwin-xfree/2011-01/msg00001.html
Mesa 3D is the open source implementation of
OpenGL. OpenGL is a specification, not an implementation. You'll need to make sure what you need to is installed on your OS; I find it best to do this type of install at the outset, then leave it alone, as changing the X Windows configuration can easily disable X Windows and requiring most people to reinstall. Recovering any files you need would have to be done without the Desktop. I like to keep my files in one directory, keep up to date backups of that directory, and generally not mess with my X Windows config or upgrades in general. Installing new software, which brings along prerequisite packages is "adventurous" enough as it is, IMHO.
Here's an example of "going too far" with one's Operating System version:
http://elrepo.org/bugs/view.php?id=355
CentOS 6.4, the current version, apparently uses new versions of something in the graphics stack of software that is incompatible with some old video drivers.
Here's one guy's comment:
"I have a AMD FirePro 3D V4800. It fail after upgrading to CentOS 6.4. I had to downgrade Xorg to CentOS 6.3 to fix the probelm."
This is the kind of research I'd do before buying.
1) get to know the available accelerators from your PC vendor
2) research to find which version of your desired OS WILL definitely support drivers and actually successfully enable DRI (direct rendering using the accelerator) with which particular model of accelerator, i.e., ATI/Radeon model m, Nvidia model m, etc.
3) Should web search a little as well and make sure your desired monitor won't present known problems. You can certainly buy PCs with no monitor today if you want to use your current one (Dell threw one in for free with my PC - they were determined to get rid of one ! I'm using it now, so it worked out.).
4) Before you buy anything, on a working PC, download the bootable image (suitable for burning onto a DVD) of the working version of the OS that you want to install, then burn it onto DVDs, then try to boot from them and make sure they work (you won't have to actually install, quit before then). This DVD will enable you to always reinstall and "start from scratch" - even if you have no way to get to the internet.
5) Go on Dell's (or other? major vendor) website and "build" or select options for PCs, selecting accelerators you know will work. You might not be able to get all the options you want, especially having your linux installed, since doing it yourself will allow you to choose install options (of course I assume you're comfortable doing this). But you'll get to know what models of PCs they are selling, what the basic differences are (get an idea of the right "line" of machine), and how much they cost.
6) Now you'll be ready to make a call and talk to a salesman to purchase a PC, and have the best chance of it working as you expect.