Eclipse, what OS, minimal Hardware?

[joaompp]

So I want to build or purchase 2 budget friendly small form factor machines. The primary use will be web browsing, using online IDEs like blocky, and to run Eclipse IDE with plugins. Ideally I would like it to last at least 3 years, ideally 5.

I want the system to be responsive when compiling and running code. So, I'm thinking I'll install Lubuntu with an i3 haswell with 4gb of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage.

Would an AMD APU, like the A10-7800, be a better option?
Should I have an i5 at minimum?
Do I need more than 8GB of RAM?
Would it be beneficial to use a different operating system?
Should I wait for Intel's Broadwell?
Should I downgrade to a Celeron or Pentium?

 

[Alabalcho]

Eclipse runs on Java Runtime, so don't save too much from hardware. i3 should be OK, I would put another 4GB of RAM.

Check your chosen Ubuntu distro support for your chosen video adapter and monito, this is where I would expect most troubles.

 

[Zenthar]

I would also suggest at least 8GB of RAM, browsers now take a lot of RAM and IDE aren't light memory-wise either.