Our last project of the year 2006, the two computers on this page will probably be the last Microsoft Windows XP machines we build. With the release of Microsoft's Windows Vista just around the corner, these computers were built to more than exceed the minimum Microsoft recommended requirements, making them easily upgradeable to the new operating system. The black trim and floppy drive cover of the Athenatech model 412 case save it from the "beige box" category. The Athlon 64 3800+ X2 processor with 2 Gb of RAM and 200 Gb SATA II hard drive make a more than ample replacement for the 266 MHz AT machines that were still being used by this customer.
As always, these projects are a learning experience. The lesson here was that it's probably easier to use CD/DVD drives with black face plates than to try and find white drives that match the case.
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