cross-posted from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/573669
it’s just me that’s going to be using whatever it is, i plan to host a Nextcloud, probably a Matrix server using Synapse, a website, and email. i have an Ethernet cable ready to go, but i’m using someone else’s internet at the moment (with their knowledge and approval).
i’ve been looking at Pine64 SBCs, but i’m open to anything as long as it’s not a Raspberry Pi
I just set up my own server with Yunohost on a HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini PC 8GB 256GB SSD Intel Core i5-6500T Win10, Black. Costs about $95 refurbed online. I’ve got 14 apps running on it with no issues.
An old laptop.
Synapse will struggle on an ARM SBC and forget about hosting email on a residential internet connection. It will be either blocked by the ISP or filtered directly to spam by most email providers.
i mean, email isn’t a huge priority for me. i do want to have a Matrix server and a media server though. i’d take your advice, but i’m fresh out of old laptops at the moment. i would get a System76 Meerkat if it wasn’t just a little overpowered for what i need. do you know of anything with a similar form factor and 4 gb RAM (or at least where i can look for something like that)?
Get an old refurbish hp thin-client or a thinkpad then. Something sub 200$ with at least 4 threads and upgradable to at least 8gb ram and sata ssd storage. Laptop has the advantage of built in battery (UPS) and screen/keyboard in case you mess something up.
I hosted my first on a raspberry pi with an externally mounted ssd drive. It worked great.
Nezha D1 board would be best!
Old laptop probably best, ARM is getting better though. I’d be tempted by https://forum.banana-pi.org/t/banana-pi-bpi-cm5-computer-module-with-amlogic-a311d2-4g-lpddr4-ram-and-16g-emmc-onboard/15578/3 but expect some software hassle
a debian 11 virtualbox VM in any computer with tunnelmole (ts/js) or tunnel.pyjam.as (wg)
I’d say find a cheap Intel/AMD 64 bit used PC, but those can be noisy and draw lots of power compared to SBCs. You don’t need anything fancy. The <40€ ThinkCentres and such will do, especially if you throw some SSD in.
