The Claude AI is right. In 2026, use EtherCAT. Even if you can still buy a PC with internal expansion slots today, such PCs will become more and more rare and expensive as time goes on.
I would not worry about what size/shape mainboard is in the box. My favorite Linux computer for small utility jobs like this is now the Apple Mac Mini from 2014. It has an Intel i5 or i7 inside and can run Linux (you completely overwrite MacOS). This Mini are bomb proof. The chassis is milled from a sold block of aluminum and used as the heat sink and they have a very low speed fan that usually never runs. Cost about $100 on eBay. There are no serviceable parts inside, but they last forever. > > > 2. How about industrial ATXish motherboards that don't have slots, or > have 1 slot for a video board, connected to the FPGA card through > ethernet _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
