This Linux system would offer good performance for most tasks at a low cost. It is very possible that many of the parts could be found as “discards” from MS-Windows systems.

386DX or 486SX with 8MB RAM
200+MB IDE Disk and controller
3.5" Floppy
VGA monitor and controller
2 serial ports and 1 parallel port

High-Performance System

This system could offer a high-performance workstation or, with the addition of a terminal server or more serial ports, could act as an interactive host or server.

486DX2-66 VESA with 16MB RAM
Buslogic 445S disk controller
1GB SCSI disk
3.5" floppy
1024 x 768 NI monitor and
S3-based video board
16550A based serial board
parallel port
serial board or terminal server as required