Modern/compact linuxcnc setup

Hi everybody, I planning to switch my diy compact milling machine to linuxcnc.
I have done quite a bit of initial research, I even spent days to get rtai to build on buster, only to finally discover that there are secret pre-built deb packages in /temp...

I am interested in what would be an ideal setup if you had to start from scratch and wanted a reasonably compact setup.
An example could be itx case/motherboard + parallel port breakout, or maybe raspberry pi + ethernet mesa card.

Any idea on what would be the most supported or ideal setup?

I am currently using steppers with encoders and closed loop controllers and I am considering eventually upgrading my axis to linear encoders.

Thanks for the help!

this is all up to You
AND ofcause your Budget
if you can affort it then go for a MESA 7i76e or lower cost a 7i96
This gives you the most benefit
the PC is a glimp of interest as you only need a low cost but big standad
THe machine shoudt run on its own System not as a Full running desktop use

Why not starting with a ISO DVD redy to run within 1hr of install to your machine

If you go the Pi route either the Mesa 7c80 or 7c81. May go this way for the lathe.

For "future proof" I went with a Mesa Ethernet setup using an ITX board.
I started with a 7i92 intending to use a "std BoB" but then rethought things and went with a 7i76 as well. Recently got 7i73 for a Pendant and future control panel.

ATM I have the ITX in a 1u rack enclosure, Mesa cards & related PSU's in a 2u rack enclosure and stepper drivers & 48 psu in 3u rack enclosure. Sounds a bit OTT but I can slide the Mesa unit out to work on outside of the workshop. Probably not what you would call compact. TBH I stated with the 3u enclosure about 5 or 6 years ago when I was using Mach3 and the PP with another machine....... Kind grew over the years.

If going Mesa there is an install disc for Linux Mint 19.2 ie only RT atm the moment. Will look into RTAI shortly. Take note to either use dd under Linux or win32diskImager under windows to get the image onto USB or you can just burn it to DVD.
forum.linuxcnc.org/9-installing-linuxcnc...tion?start=90#157109

I had an Asus mobo, cant recal the model number, itx, parallel port, fanless, very low latency, a bit on the slow side but usable with Mint19.2 mate edition. I can try to get the model number in a few days. It was something like 70 or 80 Euro. The only drawback is that it uses a full ATX2 power supply, and laptop memory.

I've looked around and unfortunately there are not many mobos that come with a parallel port today.
I could only find ASRock j3455b and noticed that a lot of people are having flash related bios problems.

I run a Asrock J3355B-ITX wihch has a on board PP, tho I do use Mesa cards.
Never had an issue.