Will this computer work?

Hello- I have a homebuilt CNC with large enough work area to handle 48" x 96" mterial.
My controller is Hobby CNC Prox 4 Axis.
I mirror 2 steppers for X Axis.
Have been using Mach3 for around 10 years and would like to transition to LinuxCNC.
I have a really old computer that is failing.
I set up Dual boot with Linux CNC about a year ago and did a quick proof of concept with it.

I am wanting to replace the computer and would like to get some thoughts on the setup below.
Do you see any concerns or have suggestions?
I would like to Dual boot with Windows 10 so that I can run Windows software as well in my shop. (v-carve Pro, Lightburn, etc)

Computer: Tangent Rugged Mini L2 -- www.tangent.com/industrial-computer/rugged-mini-pc/L2#tabs-2
Can you run a CNC off the 2 built in Serial Ports? I'm guessing no.
Would a Mini Pcie adapter like this work? : www.newegg.com/p/17Z-00PR-00JY3
Planned Upgrades: 16 GB RAM , Lexar NS100 128GB SSD

Thanks very much i advance for any feedback and for all you do.
LinuxCNC looks to be an amazing product of hard work.
- John

Tommylight - - Thanks very much for your feedback. I'll look into that.... I already have the Tangent fanless PC - It was given to me through my employer with the HDD removed. I purchased the SSD to put in it already. It currently has 4GB RAM, but I plan to upgrade to 16GB (Max it supports) mostly for windows.
My shop is dusty - being fanless is appealing to me.
- John

Download an iso and run a latency test.
+1 for the mesa route. Well worth the little extra, and no having to worry about parallel ports when the computer goes bye bye. As long as it has an Ethernet port you’re more or less good to go.
One thing to think of, do you really want to reboot every time you want to change your drawing or redo your CAM ? If that is the plan.

Thanks... I'll do the latency test in next day or so.
I'm unfamiliar with the mesa route. Are you talking about this:
store.mesanet.com/index.php?route=produc...t_id=302&search=7i92

Do you need direct network cable/ crossover... or can it be on LAN?
And would this mesa then communicate to my Hobby CNC controller?
I'm new to this... I'll have to do some reading to get up to speed.

It's amazing what you learn.
I always thought a straight thru cable was needed. Not that I have tried with a X-over cable. Geeze I don't think I've used one in ages.

Think of it as this.

Once you connect the 7i92 to your PC it's like having a parallel port that Linuxcnc can talk to. And rather than the computer doing the timing the 7i92 creates the timing signal, but unlike the boards the work with Mach Linuxcnc is still in control of planning the motion.

So that would mean, in a nut shell, if you have a cnc machine controlled via a parallel port the 7i92 can replace the parallel port. Also the 7i92 has a second set of 17 signals that can be configured in other ways.

Plus there's a wealth of knowledge and Mesa support is great on the forum.

I look at it this way. You're spending a fair wedge of beer tokens on your cnc machine, why not spend a little extra on some really good hardware.
I had a look at what the Mach Licences cost and if your are starting from scratch and need to get a Licensed copy of Mach3/4 a basic Mesa card is less. Plus there is no need to buy a Windows Licence either.
Plus the CAD & CAM options seem to be getting better for the Linux platforms.

Not everyone is going to feel comfortable with Linux and that's ok.

Ok enough rambling and carrying on like Abe Simpson...now where's my turnips ?