Internet Advisor
The Linux User Group's newest project is to upgrade an HP Internet Advisor, which is a laptop from 1997, with relatively modern desktop gaming PC hardware.
The Original Internet Advisor[edit | edit source]
The Advisor was originally powered by an intel 486, and would have come with Windows 95 out of the box. It was intended for maintaining high performance network infrastructure, and as such had unique features such as 100MB/s fiber-optic network ports. When new, it would have sold for an eye-watering $20,000. It was acquired by one of our members with a broken screen, but in otherwise working condition. Unfortunately, many of the internals were damaged during an successful screen repair, rendering the computer permanently broken. The empty shell of this computer, along with the original keyboard, were then sold to the LUG for $30.
Sleeper Build[edit | edit source]
We haven't started the build yet, but most of the necessary parts have been purchased at the time of writing. We've also successfully managed to get the original laptop keyboard to work with a modern computer by using an Arduino Mega as a keyboard controller. Here's a list of parts we're planning to install inside the computer:
| Part | Model | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Ryzen 5 5600X | X-Variant will allow undervolting for better thermals |
| Motherboard | Asus Prime B450M-A II | |
| RAM | Corsair Vengance LPX 16gb | |
| Screen | 10.4" 1024x768 Panel w/ Driver Board | Same size as the original (screen, but higher resolution and takes an HDMI |
| Power Supply | SilverStone FX500 500W Flex-ATX Power Supply, SST-FX500-G | Small |
| Storage | Samsung 950 EVO 1TB M.2 | Large enough for us to dual-boot several different distros. |
| Wi-Fi | TP-Link WiFi 6 PCIe Card AX3000 (Archer TX55E) | |
| Keyboard Controller | Arduino Mega | |
| Internal USB | Motherbard USB 2.0 Breakout Header | Allows internal connection of the Arduino Mega and mouse. |
| CPU Cooler | Noctua NH-L9i | |
| GPU | NVIDIA QUADRO M4000 | Single-Slot, because anything taller surely won't fit. |
| Fans | Noctua NF-A8 (80mm) | |
| PCIE Riser | Asus RS200 PCIE Riser | |
| Speakers | Old Monitor Speakers (If they fit) | |
| Mouse | USB Optical Mini-Mouse | A custom 3D-printed enclosure will allow it to fit in the original mouse slot. |