Replacing mach 3 computer

[Woodenspoke]

I have finally removed my laptop loaded with mach from my mini mill I have connected to a xylotex board. I needed it for travel and had to wipe it after trying to load vista on it.

But I was wondering how low can I go to get a fully functional mach capable machine with regard to processor memory the works without going too far down the food chain so to speak. Like a PIII, scary.

The shuttles are nice and small but no port, bummer. a small form factor would be even better but again printer ports are going the way of floppy drives. I have a p4 2.8 HT I am going to upgrade soon but its a mid size box and I would rather have as small a package as possible taking up space in the shop.

Any one have any el cheapo suggestions.

GB

[.xXACEXx.]

ill join you.. in wondering how low you can go as to a control computer,i was wanting a laptop for this ,but i read on another post that laptops dont make good pc's for machines...this is a REAL bummer...i dont have alot of room for a whole atx,monitor,keyboard,mouse, combo .and not wanting to use "the gaming" pc i was hopeing a laptop would work..now im not sure :? something like a 1 gig. cpu and maybe 512 of ram,i just pulled these numbers from thin air..i just figured an old laptop would be easy to acheive step rate required (please tell me im right and a old 300 mhz... for 50 bux will work ..please!!)

[Woodenspoke]

there is a pci card that works with the xylotex board but off the top of my head I cant remember the brand, worked fine with my dell insperion 6000.

I am trying to get a friend to ship me back some old amd 700mhz junker I shipped him a few years ago but he takes forever. Dont really want a mid size case but I may have no choice.

I may just have to bite the bullet and buy a new box but I dont want to.

GB