I don’t know if my current system would run Haiku or not. It did install BeOS, but it ran at low res. in gray scale, and I could not get online. I have since upgraded the video card to an ATI All in Wonder 9600 Pro but I have not tried another install.
Here is the thing, I very much would like to run Haiku and I am willing to buy a new system to do it. (I do understand that Haiku is not yet available, I am anticipating it’s release.) But what kind of system should I get? I have always built my own systems and would want to do so for Haiku as well. What would really help is some examples of optimal hardware to use.
Could someone post what hardware they think would run Haiku well. How about three examples, a low end system costing $400 - $600, a mid-range system in the $600 - $1000 range, and a high end system at $1000+.
Personally I would like to run a dual processor system using the Athlon 64 X2, and as long as I can get online run Apache, MySQL, Firefox, and my Wiki I will be happy.
I’m don’t think it makes a lot of sense to buy a system specifically for Haiku right now. Haiku is a while away yet from being a usuable everyday desktop OS. By the time it is, you’ll be able to get something much nicer for the money, and we’ll all have a better idea of what hardware support it’ll have.
I'm don't think it makes a lot of sense to buy a system specifically for Haiku right now. Haiku is a while away yet from being a usuable everyday desktop OS. By the time it is, you'll be able to get something much nicer for the money, and we'll all have a better idea of what hardware support it'll have.
I agree here… my strategy usually is to buy low-end mainstream components to replace my aging computer (just replaced my PIII 600 with a P4 3ghz).
By sticking to decent quality mainstream components, you can feel better knowing that they will remain functional for a longer time, and will have much better support on other OSes allowing for better chance of driver porting.
I buy the good quality lower-performance components so I can save money without losing reliability. Buying the stuff that was new 3-6 months ago is extremely cost-effective Just cuz it’s 6 month-old technology though doesn’t mean it’s lesser quality.
Unless you know that you can reliably run one of the other “BeOS-variants” (BeOS MAX, BeOS Wind, BeOS Developer Edition, etc.) that supports newer PC hardware, it’s probably best to stick with the following formula:
Buy a BeOS R5-compatible system
Format your hard drive into 3 partitions
Install Win98SE on a small 1-2Gb partition
Install BeOS R5PE in Win98SE
Use The Drive Setup in BeOS R5PE to format (initialize) the other two partitions (one called BeOS R5PE and the other Haiku) in BFS
Install BeOS R5PE on the second partition
Create Boot menu for all three partitions
Boot into BeOS R5PE from the boot menu
Now, you’re ready… and can download/JAM Haiku all on your own! I have a “Novice Edition” of DarkWyrm’s Haiku documentation that I edited (mainly for myself, but it’s useful to others at well).
Just remember, you NEED 384Mb of RAM to download/JAM Haiku images. Even more is better, but keep it under 1Gb, to keep BeOS from freaking out.
I never touch Win98SE anymore (it’s just there in case my BeOS partition screws up and I need to reinstall it). Not only do I not have any reason to use Windows 98SE, but… I’d need to locate an Ethernet card driver for Win98SE to even get online! BeOS just works with my 3COM card right away!
Just cuz it’s 6 month-old technology though doesn’t mean it’s lesser quality.