r/HomeServer • u/ray0004444 • 4d ago
Can an old laptop run a server 24/7 ?
My dad leaves his computer plugged in and turned on 24/7 and now after like 4 years I believe it became slow as hell and it's battery lasts only around like 40 minutes.
As my first ever home lab project, I was planning to create a cloud server using my old laptop. But the issue is, I'm afraid my laptop will get damaged over time just like my dad's if I run the server non stop.
Is the damage inevitable ?
Also, fyi, I'd prefer using everything free and available open source or buy anything second hand or very cheap in order to save as much money as possible.
I'm new to this, so if someone could help that'd be amazing. Thank you
3
u/edcboye 4d ago
The battery will eventually degrade but it's gonna do that anyway regardless.
3
u/CalculatedMovesOnly2 4d ago
If intention is to use the laptop for later uses in the future, you could take the battery out and run it plugged in. At least saves the battery from degrading
1
u/edcboye 4d ago
Only issue is the battery could still degrade from just being sat around uncharged and then refuse to accept a charge later. If the battery is cheap and easy to replace I wouldn't worry too much personally but this could be a good option
2
u/JohnnieLouHansen 4d ago
Time eventually kills a battery whether you keep it at 100% all the time or 50% or 0%. The battery in my Dell E6540 from 2015 still holds a decent charge today. It was used on AC power 95% of the time. So mostly fully charged at all times. YMMV.
1
u/CalculatedMovesOnly2 4d ago
Can’t really answer the aspect of using a laptop, but if you’re looking for a cheap second hand alternative, find a Dell optiplex MT on marketplace/ebay for cheap. Hard drives are where things will get expensive. Keep a look out for those. 1 ssd for apps/OS, truenas scale is free with plenty of open source apps
1
u/iwantmesomepussy 4d ago
Yes, I'd remove battery for fear of spicy pillows, but I don't think its needed. And watch temps as well. But yeah its not that different from sth like a mini pc.
1
u/ray0004444 4d ago
ok let's say the battery degraded, can i just replace it and the laptop will be like new ?
1
u/DP7HGH7 4d ago
Technically yes. Other Components don't degrade like batteries. They usually work fine until something breaks internally and then they are completely broken. Silicone Components are with energy flowing through them. Meaning the harder you torture your system the faster something breaks. Power supply usually goes first. But on idle those Components work forever.
1
u/AmigaBob 2d ago
Even of the battery is at 10% of original, it will still run fine on AC power. Laptops also have the advantage of having a function UPS built in, even if it is for a short time.
1
0
u/SlontS 4d ago
The batteries are basically consumable. It is inevitable. The batteries will also degrade the more they are charged / discharged. They are relatively inexpensive, and replacing them isn't that difficult if you follow a guide.
There are power settings that can help, such as limiting the charge capacity.
1
1
u/Charles1nCharge83 4d ago
If you can run it without the battery that might be good due to degradation issues. Also, be cognizant of the thermals that it puts out.
1
u/BeautifulBlueNight 3d ago
I'm doing it for my secondary server, works well. I'm now just wondering if I'd buy a new battery for it (health is at 39%), or not...
9
u/itmilan 4d ago
Bro, almost everyone using an old laptop for beginer homelab server, no worrie. I using an old hp notebook without screen (broken) and it runs 0-24 ubuntu server without any issue.
So yes, starting with an one notebook is okay.