[nunb]

Ran IRIX back in the day and the thing I most remember is display postscript with zoomable everything. Today a resto-modded [1] ThinkPad is probably a better choice, featuring repairability, 64GB max RAM, three storage drives, docks, usb-C, a choice of modern hi-res display screens, openboot etc.

(1) https://www.xyte.ch/shop/x2100-pricing/

[SavantIdiot]

Irix! When I got my MFA in '88 we had Mac IIs, Amigas, and a SGI workstation. There was a huge difference: the macs/amigas sat quietly on the work desks in their sleek beige boxes, the workstation was about 3'x2'x3' box with roaring fans that whirred menacingly from beneath the desk, and took up all legroom.