Quote:
Originally Posted by tscales
Several things to look out for when purchasing one used.
1) Make SURE the seller says there is an XP COA sticker on the box for the OS you want. It's usually Pro, but any flavor works fine for BTV Link. Often they will not comes with the CD media, but since I have a bunch of Dells, I have the media, just need the sticker to be legal.
2) The GX620 USFF has DVI out. Try to find an auction that includes the Y cable, that splits it to one VGA and one DVI. Both work as dual monitor, although that doesn't gain you much on an HTPC. I generally use DVI->HDMI, so the splitter isn't essential, but on my Samsung 1080p, VGA actually works better.
Can't comment on the HP. I won't consider them as my past history is so horrible. The ones I looked at (curiosity) were underpowered and overpriced.
The 360 really is a media extender for Windows MCE or Vista MCE -- no hacks necessary -- but the noise was just too overwhelming. I can hear it from the other room when my daugther is playing a game.
Have fun.
Tom
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Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I do not have the proper OS disks lying about so the used GX620 is out unless I am willing to accept what ever condition the OS on the HDD is in. A new 740 or 745 with a DVI card is pretty spendy but if you are looking for a small footprint it may be worth it.
BTW my experience with HP and Dell is just the opposite of yours....HP has been solid and very reasonably priced while Dell has been problematic but priced ok. I need to look more closely at the Optiplex and at the Slimline. First blush does support that the Dell, for this particular situation (small footprint media server) may be cheaper and a better choice but I am a bit leary of the reliability and support for the Dell. One big plus for Dell is that they offer XP on their new systems.