This Linux system would offer good performance for most tasks at a low cost. It is very possible that many of the parts could be found as “discards” from MS-Windows systems.
386DX or 486SX with 8MB RAM
  
  200+MB IDE Disk and controller
  
  3.5" Floppy
  
  VGA monitor and controller
  
  2 serial ports and 1 parallel port
  
This system could offer a high-performance workstation or, with the addition of a terminal server or more serial ports, could act as an interactive host or server.
486DX2-66 VESA with 16MB RAM
  
  Buslogic 445S disk controller
  
  1GB SCSI disk
  
  3.5" floppy
  
  1024 x 768 NI monitor and
  
  S3-based video board
  
  16550A based serial board
  
  parallel port
  
  serial board or terminal server as required