Assignment #0: Cheapskate PC
Overview
In this assignment, you are to search the Internet in order to find the cheapest (least-expensive) brand-new single-disk PC that you can purchase.
Due date:
Friday, September 14, 2001.
Requirements
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Must be fully assembled and work immediately out-of-the-box
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Must be new (no used parts or components)
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Must be available for purchase immediately (through Internet itself or phone call)
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Must come with an Intel-based or compatible processor
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Must have at least 32 MB of memory
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Must have a single disk, of at least 20 GB capacity (IDE or SCSI are both OK)
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Must have a 100Mb/s or greater Ethernet network port
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Must have a way to install Linux on it (or come with Linux installed)
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No need for monitor, keyboard, mouse, or other frills (imagine it as a network-attached disk server)
As this list is probably under-specified, please do not try to find a loop hole and exploit it -- just find a cheap, working machine, the cheapest you can!
Also, as part of the assignment, please find out how much it would cost to instead include a smaller (i.e. 10GB) or a larger drive (i.e. 40GB, 60GB, 80GB).
Please ask questions if anything is unclear.
Winning and Losing
The winner (i.e. the person who finds the cheapest PC) will receive a prize (to be determined).
The loser (i.e. the person who finds the most expensive PC) will furnish a prize for the winner.
The professor (i.e. me) will purchase the cheap PC (or two or three) for us to play with.
Submitting Your Find
Just send me (remzi@cs) an email with the details. Have fun!