I wrote low electric to avoid confusion with “Low power” computers with minimal memory etc and couldn’t call this “physical device advice” because the very specific things I need for this but it might make for an interesting discussion.
I plan to have Monitor, mouse, keyboard etc are separate as you would find on a desktop computera bit of background you can ignore this part if you want!
In a few months time I am planning to put together a new PC when I have free time.
There are Pros and cons of getting parts from Here, there and everywhere or getting a readymade item but I want to try having React OS and a version of Windows running on the same device,
Instead of Dual booting with both systems accessing each others files I think the best way to switch would be to swap hard disks before turning it on as I have seen React OS has corrupt a virtual hard disk when I tested it.
I noticed some brands like Zotac had some impressively low power consumption in some cases using a 5 volt PowerSuply though this could mean the hardware is so profoundly different it wouldn’t run the systems I have in mind.
I want a computer that could comfortably be run off batteries but not necessarily a laptop as I want to be able to replace a broken/defective component if I need to without destroying the case whilst opening it or needing very specialized equipment.
Many modern devices are designed by people who have a vendetta against anybody who wants to fix them, which is a problem if you want to get many years of use out of it,
I digress to get to my point.
I would like put together or buy a physical device running React OS and also pick a what will work with Windows XP (I hear XP drivers are better for React OS) and I have some old software which runs better on XP than anything newer, and you can still easily find USB peripherals etc for XP.
I need to choose either a small computer or the components to build one but it needs to meet certain criteria so I can use it for extended periods without access to an electrical outlet, solar and other methods will be the most feasible way to keep the batteries full but that's a separate issue.
1. Has to use DC power to avoid wasting power converting the energy stored in batteries.
Would prefer 12 volt and the lowest amperage use but as long as I can get it going on a basic setup of Leisure batteries and a DC/DC
2. Run XP and at least have a chance of running React os
3. not trigger short circuit protection (common for high amperage 12 volt car appliances)
Common in Pumps, immersion heaters, hairdryers and fans intended for cars Try using a few with a 12 volt adapter or a circuit for regulating the current they can trigger a safety feature which switches it off
4. Could work well with an external UPS(for batteries)
This bleeds into number 3 mainly because I want some protection against the pc drawing too much from the battery and having a second smaller battery to buy me some time before the pc shuts off.
5. be durable, able to open the case and not have an award design that makes me unable to run the cables for hard drives and disk drives mounted outside the device
6. able to order extra power cables and know polarity (if obscure or proprietary connectors are used)
Sorry I made this so long I am just interested to see some other peoples ideas on this and get an informed opinion before I decide on what I purchase
P.S. unrelated to this I am eventually planning to test a bunch of browsers on React OS and publish my results to create a comparison chart, Compatibility with the latest features of newer websites is what I have in mind so the more recent the better!
any browser recommendations would be great