Linux CNC for new Chinese machine?

Hi

Im looking into buying a lathe and a mill from China and have them install all the electric components and then use Linux CNC to run it just like this guy:
www.cnczone.com/forums/uncategorised-met...c-tormach-posts.html

I also want to run some sort of graphical interface with a touch screen. Perhaps Pathpilot that look nice (any other alternatives?).

Any recommendations or things I should remember when ordering the machine?
I have run smaller mills on Linux CNC, but this would be my first larger machine. My initial plan is to go with Mesa cards, dont have experience with them though so any recommendations would be nice.