A huge upshot to using a laptop is you have a built-in UPS and KVM.
it only works as a UPS if you periodically discharge the battery. My first “server” was a compaq laptop, I had used it for years and then reprovisioned it to Ubuntu Server, after 2 or 3 years of 24/7 if you unplugged it at all it just instant died because keeping it 100% charged all the time killed the battery.
Thanks for reminding me i have a craptop in storage thst i can use for a server.
If it still turns on, it still has an use!
If it doesn’t, it can still be a paperweight!
Lol. Craptop. I named my old laptop that.
I had one active a good while back. To quote Buddy Guy ‘…ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that.’ Hell, I have a 15 year old, self build computer. I use it daily. It works, and pretty well too.
If you haven’t already, I’d see if you can run it sans battery, just power cord. Reason being, old laptop batteries can be a hazard. They can swell and burst, they can over heat,. In some cases, they can become a fire hazard. Best to be safe.
If you’ve already done so, then awesome , and ignore the second paragraph. Is this your first foray into selfhosting?
Ideally see if you can do a battery charge limit. Lithium batteries are happiest around 40-60% charge. If you can limit it that low then you keep your built in UPS, don’t risk the CPU running at a crawl, and the battery is happy. Even just the normal 80% that good laptops offer will be sufficient.
Wow… Never thought about this ! To bad my battery died years ago ! Craptop still going strong though 👍💪
Well, that’s something to think about. I’ve always thought it best to take mine out. Tempting fate and all that.
Which model toughbook?
It’s …
