If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
1–10 of 357 posts
Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#2Would love know more about the "dire state" of ppc32 linux
Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#3> While I fully acknowledge there's a lot you can't do on a system like this (Docker, anything GPU related) it's still able to do a lot of productive work without feeling like a total dog to use.
This, of course, is becoming less and less true.
Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#4If you are happy not surfing most of the Web, any computer is good enough.
It's usually browsers and web pages that brings these older PCs down.
Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#5If you are happy not surfing most of the Web, any computer is good enough. It's usually browsers and web pages that brings these older PCs down.
I've heard there's quite the group here on HN that browse the web on CLI browsers.
Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#6The problem with arguments like these is to me two-fold:
1. Physical space. Most of the older tech takes too much space. I don't live in a mansion and I have no dedicated rooms just for big bulky computers.
2. Power consumption, heat, noise. I would love to be less consumerist and use stuff from 15 years ago and stop feeding greedy corporations but... the old stuff consumes 90 to 200 watts, heats up easily and noticeably, and can get loud.
Both parts of this problem are trivially solved by modern tech. I got a 13" Chinese fanless laptop second hand for 160 euro; it has a Celeron J CPU with 12GB RAM and 256GB SATA SSD. It can do anything I need that's not programming or rendering -- including playing 60FPS video -- and last time I checked it, it consumed 30W under full load (all CPU cores at 100%) and idled at 11W or so.
Modern tech is not only about its buyers being mindless consumerist drones. It offers tangible benefits, including long-term environmental sustainability.
Yes a lot of CO2 was likely released due to its production but I'd wager that tech that heats up less and uses less power can last 10-13 years and will pay off its environmental footprint with a generous interest on top.
So unless you're a retro collector or want to write compilers for older CPUs, there are zero reasons to be excited about older computers.
(That being said, if somebody finally creates a modern 6502 CPU computer e.g. in the shape of a 10" netbook I'll buy it immediately, provided I can also program it through USB from my workstation.)
Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#7Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#8If you are happy not surfing most of the Web, any computer is good enough. It's usually browsers and web pages that brings these older PCs down.
I've heard there's quite the group here on HN that browse the web on CLI browsers.
It's not something that's remotely practical on most modern sites. I hate everything new as well, but at some point it's easier to just suck it up and face the hell that is the modern internet.
Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#9The problem with arguments like these is to me two-fold: 1. Physical space. Most of the older tech takes too much space. I don't live in a mansion and I have no dedicated rooms just for big bulky computers. 2. Power consumption, heat, noise. I would love to be less consumerist and use stuff from 15 years ago and stop feeding greedy corporations but... the old stuff consumes 90 to 200 watts, heats up easily and notice…
I think there’s something to be said for the fundamentals of modern computers too. A 4K screen, excellent keyboard, blazing fast NVMe, etc are all attainable on a budget now with CPUs using less power, as you said.
Re: If you're happy with OpenBSD, probably any computer is good enough
#10If you are happy not surfing most of the Web, any computer is good enough. It's usually browsers and web pages that brings these older PCs down.
I've heard there's quite the group here on HN that browse the web on CLI browsers.
I used Lynx every now and then, back in the mid-90's. Eventually it is time to move on.