New non-tormach pathpilot setup

Hey there,
I'm planning to use Linux CNC for my next CNC project, hope you guys could help me with a few question that came up.

Planning:
Router with at least 4-Axis, upgradable to 5-Axis
Linear encoders on the Axis

I already found out, that I need the PP software to get the desired UI.

1. I have to get the "PathPilot Software Bootable USB Drive" from Tormachs website, correct?
2. Which (MESA?) Card should I get?
3. Which Computer should I use as a base?

Thanks for your help!
Best regards
Denis

Yes, you can order the USB Driver with PP2 direct from Tormach on thier site.

The most accepted approach to running PP is to first get it working with LinuxCNC. same hardware works. Mesa Card depends on you. you can use a 5i25 or a 7i92 for ethernet. as long as you have a bitfile for your setup and likely will.

PP itself does not support encoders except on the spindle.
this is a complication you may not want to get into. if you do, get it working without encoders first.

Thanks for your response!
No support for linear encoders is a dealbreaker for me. Do you know an alternative UI as intuitive as PP?

have a look at qtdragon. i think I'll be trashing my pathpilot install to setup qtdragon instead.