Ask around! people are chucking out "old" desktops with icore5 processors. I have two of them, one running a standard install of 2.8 with gmoccapy running the mill.
I did try to use a laptop but the latency was awful!
The other has the debian testing install, also with Gmoccapy, both have parallel ports cards, pcie type. both work fine. I generally prefer the the 2.8 -- series for serious metal cutting in case there are stability issues.
To use the testing install I just swap the cables.
Both came with monitors, bit old but so what?
Later when you feel the need or want you can change to a mesa card and add all the extra facilities that are available with them.
John
