What budget friendly hardware would you recommend for my use case? reddit / selfhosted ---------------------------------------------------------------------- nomadwannabe · 2023-12-15 17:51 So I've finally gotten comfortable with my Router, Client and Server VPN's, port forwarding, Plex, Docker, AdGuard etc. I'm hoping to take it to the next step. I've tried running Transmission and AdGuard home in docker containers on my windows PC, and they seem to work well. I also have a Linux Mint VM running for when I want to use my iPad as more of a laptop, which has been great too (I'd prefer MacOS but had issues emulating it on Windows). I'm also playing with Plex as well and would like host my own server. I don't want to leave my desktop on all the time, and as I'm sure many others have run into, downtime due to restarting, experimenting, windows updates etc has become a bit annoying. I'd like a small computer of some kind, that'll run Ubuntu. \- Plex will run on the base OS. (Unless there's a compelling reason to run in docker as well.) \- Docker for AdGuard. \- Docker for Transmission. (Router rule for WAN traffic from its IP tunneled through router's VPN client.) \- VM running Mint, (or preferably MacOS) to use iPad as a "laptop." I also have a NAS that I'd like to use for Plex's file storage. Any insight would be very appreciated, I'd like to make sure I'm getting hardware that Ubuntu can use to its full potential, as I've read there can be some processor or graphics cards incompatibilities. Much appreciated! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- EGGS-EGGS-EGGS-EGGS · 2023-12-15 18:01 Only because you want macos - why not a used Mac Mini? Otherwise snag an Optiplex 5050/5060 or HP Elitedesk 800, you can find em pretty cheap. FWIW, bigger form factors can fit more drives. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- warlock2397 · 2023-12-15 18:02 Get a used small form factor 1-litre system from Dell, HP or Lenovo whichever you like best. In terms of process, get an i5-8500T or above (7th gen+ chips comes with UHD630 which is really good for HW transcoding in Plex/Jellyfin). It sips power so you can run it 24x7 and it won't break the bank. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- aetherspoon · 2023-12-15 18:03 Virtualizing MacOS gets tricky to put it mildly. Also technically piracy if you don't do it on a MacOS device, so you might want to try another subreddit on that one. Otherwise, I think an ideal box for you would probably be a 7th or 8th gen Intel miniPC, something TinyMiniMicro-like. They're usually found for pretty cheap (~100 USD, ~150 EUR, and usually fairly cheap in multiple locales), run fairly low power consumption, and are fairly plentiful around the world. Just don't go older than 7th gen Intel with that Plex need and you should be fine for the most part. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-12-15 18:15 /r/HomeServer /r/Homelab are subs that focus more on hardware, this sub here is about selfhosting software services. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- nomadwannabe · 2023-12-15 18:16 Thank you so much, I'll post there as well. I've been reading posts from Homelab and this one (selfhosted) to gain my knowledge so far, really amazing communities :) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- nomadwannabe · 2023-12-15 18:25 What's the best way I can find hardware compatibility information for running Linux? I frequently see posts with "this driver/hardware/videocard/etc won't work with this distro etc." So though I'm building my knowledge with networking, my Linux experience is lacking. I'd hate to buy something that I can't use all of if that makes sense. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- nomadwannabe · 2023-12-15 18:25 Appreciate the insight. That's all very helpful! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This_not-my_name · 2023-12-15 19:10 I never had problems with any drivers on the starter friendly distros (ubuntu, debian) except with NVIDIA. Installing the nvidia driver to make the card usable for hw transcoding took a while, but there was a tutorial. Wifi and camera drivers sucked on a MacBook, but I blame Apple here and you shouldn't need these on a server anyways ---------------------------------------------------------------------- nomadwannabe · 2023-12-15 19:15 Helpful info, thank you so much. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- oOflyeyesOo · 2023-12-19 16:55 One of the many mini PCs that are coming out. Both Intel and AMD have been releasing amazing mobile chips. Some even come with 4x2.5 ports to act as a router/switch too. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sk1nT7 · 2023-12-26 23:27 Check out the NUCs from Minisforum.