Hello Hugh,

The Dell tower has:

-- M.2 2230 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD Class 35
-- processor Intel® Core™ i7 14700 vPro® (33 MB cache, 20 cores, 28 threads, up to 5.4 GHz Turbo)

* * *
* * *

I already have a USB flash memory stick ready with Debian 12 on it.

I followed this Debian web page to prepare the USB stick:

https://d-i.debian.org/manual/en.amd64/ch04s03.html
4.3. Preparing Files for USB Memory Stick Booting

using this .iso: debian-live-12.9.0-amd64-gnome.iso

I am taking to heart your comment: You really really should have an NVMe SSD ...

Perhaps I could install Debian 12 to the NVMe SSD on the new Dell tower ?? I will do research on this subject.

* * *
* * *

You mention my motivation in buying Dell: more well known brand with better support (but not for desktop Linux)

If my current dying tower weren't dying I wouldn't be buying a new tower.

You mention: I'm not sure why you asked for advice.

I asked for advice because GTALUG has rescued me more than once in the past. And I thought perhaps a member might suggest a PC configuration that would meet my technical and vendor needs.

Steve Petrie

apetrie@aspetrie.net
416-233-6116

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: Re: [GTALUG] Thanks For Responses -- Buying A Dell Optiplex Tower PC And A Dell Monitor.
Date: 2025-02-17 23:17
From: "D. Hugh Redelmeier via talk" <talk@gtalug.org>
To: Steve Petrie via talk <talk@gtalug.org>


From: Steve Petrie via talk <talk@gtalug.org>

I have settled on a Dell Optiplex Tower Model 7020 Plus and a Dell Monitor:

Dell Tower:
-- 32 GB RAM
-- 4 TB SATA Hard Drive
-- No Windows 11

You really really should have an NVMe SSD.  It's not expensive and it
is a significant speed improvement.  You can easily add one after you get
the computer but I take it that you don't want that challenge.

If you feel cheap, a 512GB SSD is generous and inexpensive.

You didn't even mention the processor.  It does matter, but not as much as
some think.

You seem to be paying four times as much as I did for my Bee-Link Mini PC,
with almost no advantage and several disadvantages..  (I'm assuming that
you are not plugging in a PCIe card.)

Disadvantages:
- more physical space.
- more noise.
- more power consumption.
- much slower disk

Advantages:
- more room for a 3.5" drive
- easier to repair (but you don't seem to do that)
- more well known brand with better support (but not for desktop Linux)

Choking on my Cheerios indeed.
I'm not sure why you asked for advice.
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