I've run my HA on a Dell D600 centrino based laptop for several years, but it has developed a hardware fault (Can only see 512MB RAM) so while it still works it labours a little which causes occasional Cortex issues. As I am expanding my network I think its time to consider an upgrade ... but what?
Currently the laptop runs:
Cortex, incl webserver, email commands
Squeeze Centre
printer for all in workgroup
fileserver for workgroup
Remote Desktop
In the next few months I'll be adding another third to the Cortex network and in the foreseeable future I would like Cortex to handle a CCTV camera for the front door.
One of the great things about the Centrino laptop is that its low power (~17W IIRC with screen off). I bought a duplicate D600 to make 1 good one but it has other issues so an upgrade is required as SWMBO is getting fed up with the glitches on what was a solid install :-(
While the current system is memory limited (network timeouts occur while its paging), I think the extra nodes in the network will add to the CPU load, as would CCTV. I've looked at CPU benchmarks here http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php and am becoming blinded by data!
The choice seems to be between something v low power - Single Core Atom.
A Dual core atom with D525 looking like best on power and performance combined
Another Laptop T4400 based - lowish power built in UPS, ~£400
Or given articles like http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/25w-pe...iew-31816.html or http://www.servethehome.com/intel-co...da-ion-review/ go for some real grunt banking on the fact its low Watts at idle.
Given people have run cortex on some fairly lowly Via C7 solutions I know Cortex doesn't need that much but add Windows 7, a machine acting as a music & file server - how much grunt will I need?
On Windows7 - anyone using it ? How much memory is needed? Does it come with Remote Desktop on Starter / Home Premium?
Advice much appreciated
Currently the laptop runs:
Cortex, incl webserver, email commands
Squeeze Centre
printer for all in workgroup
fileserver for workgroup
Remote Desktop
In the next few months I'll be adding another third to the Cortex network and in the foreseeable future I would like Cortex to handle a CCTV camera for the front door.
One of the great things about the Centrino laptop is that its low power (~17W IIRC with screen off). I bought a duplicate D600 to make 1 good one but it has other issues so an upgrade is required as SWMBO is getting fed up with the glitches on what was a solid install :-(
While the current system is memory limited (network timeouts occur while its paging), I think the extra nodes in the network will add to the CPU load, as would CCTV. I've looked at CPU benchmarks here http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php and am becoming blinded by data!
The choice seems to be between something v low power - Single Core Atom.
A Dual core atom with D525 looking like best on power and performance combined
Another Laptop T4400 based - lowish power built in UPS, ~£400
Or given articles like http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/25w-pe...iew-31816.html or http://www.servethehome.com/intel-co...da-ion-review/ go for some real grunt banking on the fact its low Watts at idle.
Given people have run cortex on some fairly lowly Via C7 solutions I know Cortex doesn't need that much but add Windows 7, a machine acting as a music & file server - how much grunt will I need?
On Windows7 - anyone using it ? How much memory is needed? Does it come with Remote Desktop on Starter / Home Premium?
Advice much appreciated
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