Need a computer to run my web business from

citycm

citycm

citycm

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Kirkby
I currently use a hackintosh PC and I have experience with Windows and Mac OSX. I do a fair bit of work with Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere, Photoshop, Fireworks, etc) so that really rules out Linux.

I run a web development business and I am in the process of starting to offer web hosting too which is going to become more of a full time job. As a result, I am looking to get a new computer to run the business from so I would like some advice on what I should get.

Here's what I was thinking...

I could either get one computer and do everything on it (from design to support, etc) or I could get a computer dedicated to the design side and another computer dedicated to the support side (so would have the live chat software, a generic 'support' email account set up, etc). However, either way, I'm not sure about specs/OS/etc.

So... can you guys help? Should I go with Windows or Mac OSX (or should I use OSX for design and Windows for the support machine?) What specs should I be looking at (for both or either computer)?

The only restriction is that the live chat software is Windows only but if I went with OSX I could use Windows in a VM.

Thanks in advance.
 
What sort of budget are you looking at?
Another option is one machine with dual boot, have say 3/4 HDDs 1 for windows boot, one for mac boot and 1/2 for storage
 
95thrifles said:
What sort of budget are you looking at?
Another option is one machine with dual boot, have say 3/4 HDDs 1 for windows boot, one for mac boot and 1/2 for storage
Click to expand...

Not really got a budget set, however, i do need to be realistic and not just spend money on a PC just to get the biggest and best, without justification. However, if I were to go down the route of 2 computers, the 'Support' computer would be ok with integrated graphics, etc (would still like 2 core CPU though).

As for dual boot, there are 2 problems with this: It would require a Mac (i.e. I wouldn't want to use a hackintosh again if it was my business machine) and ideally, I'd like to have both systems running simultaneously because I'd like the live support software to be running as near 24/7 as possible.
 
You can dual boot off a normal pc but by the sounds of it you would be best with two, for the support pc in use 24/7 something along the mini-ITX lines would probably be best then, to make lower running costs, theres a build of one in the third post of the thread in my sig, would this meet your needs on this front?
For the main pc a ballpark budget is needed really as you can spend from 4-1500 easily, again check out the thread in my sig, the builds are aimed at gaming machines but obviously you can tone down the gfx cards, see if any of them give you a starting place?
 
You could even use a netbook and connect it to a monitor and keyboard. Cheapest possible and it would quite happily run basic web stuff.
 
Problem with netbooks is that they're not really designed for constant use. The small components and stuff still have the same problems that laptops have always had. They break easier.

+1 on the Mini-ITX idea, would be perfect for that kind of thing. You can get ITX boards that support core2duos, so could run like that.
 
95thrifles said:
You can dual boot off a normal pc but by the sounds of it you would be best with two, for the support pc in use 24/7 something along the mini-ITX lines would probably be best then, to make lower running costs, theres a build of one in the third post of the thread in my sig, would this meet your needs on this front?
Click to expand...

SMAndy said:
+1 on the Mini-ITX idea, would be perfect for that kind of thing. You can get ITX boards that support core2duos, so could run like that.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will look at the mini-ITX idea. I would like it to be as 'budget' as possible if it's just for the support, so will give it a look :)


95thrifles said:
For the main pc a ballpark budget is needed really as you can spend from 4-1500 easily, again check out the thread in my sig, the builds are aimed at gaming machines but obviously you can tone down the gfx cards, see if any of them give you a starting place?
Click to expand...

How about £500-£750? I already have PSU, DVDRW, Windows 7.
 
Surely if you want to run hosting you'll obtain a reseller account with a hosting provider rather than run it from a desktop computer on a consumer internet connection! A lot cheaper too!
 
Beansprout said:
Surely if you want to run hosting you'll obtain a reseller account with a hosting provider rather than run it from a desktop computer on a consumer internet connection! A lot cheaper too!
Click to expand...

The desktop computer is for 'support' and web development, not to use as a server. I have dedicated servers in place in a datacentre for the hosting.
 
citycm said:
The desktop computer is for 'support' and web development, not to use as a server. I have dedicated servers in place in a datacentre for the hosting.
Click to expand...
Phew - but I presume you mean running a mail client on it - a separate new PC for a mail client seems like overkill although it's definitely a good idea to have more than 1 PC. I've got 2 laptops and a desktop to hand.

A little mac mini would be great :)
 
Beansprout said:
Phew - but I presume you mean running a mail client on it - a separate new PC for a mail client seems like overkill although it's definitely a good idea to have more than 1 PC. I've got 2 laptops and a desktop to hand.

A little mac mini would be great :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think, to be honest, it's probably more to do with me wanting a Mac, where the Live chat software is Windows only so unfortunately it's either a seperate PC (which then means I could have support email dedicated to that pc) and then have a Mac for design.

I have been looking on the bay at 2nd hand P4 2.8GHz SFF PC's but not sure what way to go. Would something like that be sufficient?
 
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