Lesson 20: How to Find a Cheap Operating System
The Windows Operating System
If you want your computer to do more than just sit there, it's going to need an operating system. Windows is the most popular OS brand to date and at the time of this writing, there are currently two operating systems we recommend you to choose from:
- Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3 for System Builders (older but more stable)
- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 32-bit for System Builders (newer than XP, needs more resources to run)
There are many other versions of these operating systems but the two mentioned above are the cheapest.
Other Operating Systems
Linux - An open source OS and it's FREE
There are many different types of Linux out there and most of them are completely free to download on the manufacturers website. Unfortunately, the learning curve with linux can be pretty high but they've come a long way with the user interface making it a lot easier for beginners.
The best thing about linux, besides the fact it's free, is the open source software you get. Linux literally has thousands of programs you can download for free and there are programs very similar to popular PC software that's, of course, free as well.
SOME windows programs will work on linux using a program called Wine. Wine has come a long way and supports lots of windows applications but there's a lot that will not work and some of the ones that do work, don't work as well as they will on a Windows OS.
Here's just a short list of the many different types of Linux:
OSX - A Macintosh Operating System
Yes, it technically is possible to put a Mac OS onto a PC but sometimes it doesn't always work plus you still have to purchase the OS so you're better off with Linux or Windows.
Finding an OS
With the average user in mind, since most people are familiar with Windows and most of the software used is designed for Windows, a Windows OS is recommended.
Computer Hardware --> Software --> Operating Systems
Of course if you want to try out linux, by all means go for it. After all, it's free! Don't forget, before you build your computer, you will need to download a version of linux and burn it to a cd in order to try it.
We prefer Windows XP but with Vista being the newer OS, you will find it a lot easier to get technical support from Microsoft with it than XP. Unfortunately Vista uses a lot more system resources to run than XP. We find XP to run faster on budget computers but Vista should run well on the computer we built during this virtual build. We will go with Windows Vista.
Total spent so far:
- Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 - $54.99
- Heatsink: Included with processor - $0
- Motherboard: ASRock N68-S - $47.99
- Case: Rosewill R222-P-BK Black Computer Case - $19.99
- Case Fan(s): Included with case - $0
- RAM: Rendition 1GB DDR2 667 Memory - $10.99
- Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 80GB Hard Drive - $34.99
- CD/DVD Drive:HP Black 22x Multifunctional DVD Writer - $24.99
- Sound Card: Integrated - $0
- Video Card: Integrated - $0
- LAN: Integrated - $0
- Floppy Drive: N/A - $0
- PSU: APEX AL-A400 ATX 400W Power Supply - $24.99
- Monitor: Hanns·G Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - $99.99
- Speakers: Logitech S120 2.3 Watts Speaker System - $13.99
- Keyboard: LITE-ON Black USB Wired Keyboard - $6.99
- Mouse: Logitech SBF-90 Black PS/2 Optical Mouse - $5.25
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 - $84.99
** These prices are taken at the time of this writing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Here's a great tip to consider before purchasing an OS:
- If you know anyone currently going to college, they can usually get a really nice student discount on software. I purchased a copy of Windows XP Professional Edition for $12 doing this. It's completely legal and it definitely beats paying $80 and up for a new OS. If you don't know anyone going to college, ask your close friends and family members if they know anyone.
Next Lesson:
One more lesson to go! Let's continue on to: Lesson 21: The Grand Total.
