Re: [tlug] Need purchasing advice for a linux compatible desktop

[Jim <jep200404@example.com>]

Joseph Essertier wrote:

> And is a 64 bit processor worth the investment 

That depends on what you want it for. 

My feeble understanding is that the virtualization support I 
mentioned is available only on _some_ of the 64-bit chips. 
It is the virtualization support that could be so handy. 

> and likely to be compatible in the future? 

Linux still supports ancient CPUs. 
64 bit CPUs will be supported for a long long time. 

> ... I'm afraid that if I get a 64 bit processor I'll be limited in
> my choices of distribution in the future.

Nonsense. Many distros, especially the big distros, offer a 64-bit 
version. Even for those that don't, the old 32-bit versions work 
just fine on 64-bit CPUs; you just don't get the benefit of the 
64-bit stuff. 

> I'll spend as much as necessary to get one that has sufficient specs, 
> because I'd like to use it for at least 5 years. 

I don't know what one has to do to get a motherboard with good 
caps, so check after a year or two, check the motherboard caps 
every few months for bulged or leaking caps. 

Jim