Laptop as a server.

funkyCable · 26-02-2009, 14:22

Hi,

I was thinking of getting a laptop to run as a web server. I was thinking of either getting a Dell D410 on ebay for around Ã‚Â£160 second hand or maybe one of the new netbooks like HP 8.9" Mini Note 2133 which I've seen for Ã‚Â£190.

I think it would have loads of benefits such as

1. Less heat /noise as laptops are known to run quieter than a normal PC.
2. Energy suffienct
3. If the power dies there would at least be the battery to run off.
4. I could connect wirelessly anywhere in my house as long as it had a power point for the power adaptor.

Any thoughts or views?

southwell · 26-02-2009, 14:27

IMO laptops arn't designed to be left on 24/7, if you want a server they build a small one which has either small high quality fans or a fanless setup, if they still exist?

funkyCable · 26-02-2009, 14:55

I need something small and quiet but be up for the job of serving some php pages. Laptops seem to fit the bill quiet nicely

CHiLL · 26-02-2009, 14:59

You can easily buy an old machine, such as an AMD Althon (or now the LE processors) or a Pentium 4 machine.

If you use the stock fan that comes with the processor, they are generally really quiet. Things only getting louder when you start adding more things and fans.

I have an AMD LE1600 2.2GHz single core machine...the only things it has inside the case are motherboard, processor, PSU, hard drive and dvd drive. I don't need things like graphics/sound cards, multiple drives, or anything like that. Cooling isn't a problem, as it runs at around 30 ish degrees on the processor fan. (+1 12cm rear silent fan) I can barely hear it. It can easily handle php demands.

idi banashapan · 26-02-2009, 15:02

buy an old dell optiplex GX270 or something. you'll never know it was on it's so quiet!

MovedGoalPosts · 26-02-2009, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

buy an old dell optiplex GX270 or something. you'll never know it was on it's so quiet!

Depends on the GX270. Latter ones were quieter than the early ones as the early ones do seem to have some fan hum continously, whereas the latter ones seem to be more temperature controlled. The GX280 are quiet, unless under load.

deathtrap3000 · 26-02-2009, 15:20

Acer Aspire One Netbook - Ã‚Â£150 from Asda if you can find one in stock.

funkyCable · 26-02-2009, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

buy an old dell optiplex GX270 or something. you'll never know it was on it's so quiet!

I got these at work and I would not say they are compact.

---------- Post added at 14:23 ---------- Previous post was at 14:20 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathtrap3000

Acer Aspire One Netbook - Ã‚Â£150 from Asda if you can find one in stock.

Where did you see that? I looked on their website and could not see it for that price. Would this be alright?

Scrape that I need something with a bit more than 8gig hd

ZrByte · 26-02-2009, 15:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Depends on the GX270. Latter ones were quieter than the early ones as the early ones do seem to have some fan hum continously, whereas the latter ones seem to be more temperature controlled. The GX280 are quiet, unless under load.

Don't forget about the faulty motherboards in the 260, 270 & 280 though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkyCable

I got these at work and I would not say they are compact.

I think they are referring to the sff model not the desktop one. The sffs have about the same footprint as an average laptop but they are the height of about 2 - 3 laptops.

Kymmy · 26-02-2009, 15:28

I use an old P3-800 with half a gig of memory as a small linux webserver...does the job...

MovedGoalPosts · 26-02-2009, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZrByte

Don't forget about the faulty motherboards in the 260, 270 & 280 though.

I think they are referring to the sff model not the desktop one. The sffs have about the same footprint as an average laptop but they are the height of about 2 - 3 laptops.

If they are still running now, they will probably not have that issue. We've got around 15 of the GX270/280 here all at least 4 years old and only one failed, and that was virtually after delivery sorted under warranty so don't know if it was HD and / or motherboard.

---------- Post added at 14:40 ---------- Previous post was at 14:38 ----------

If you are hoping to serve up some php pages, presumably that also means you are wanting a mySQL type database running? If so, whilst you may not need the server to have a potent CPU, especially for a home connection where the broadband will limit the number of users, you do want it to have a reasonable smattering of RAM.

funkyCable · 26-02-2009, 15:49

I've got a 20MB connection and I'm hoping to move my existing website over to a dedicated server as my existing pc is runnning apache2 , php5, mysql, phpmysql and loads of other apps. I'm also hoping to leave it on as my pc is extremely loud and annoying. I was hoping that a laptop could cover all my basis. I was also thinking of using Ubuntu instead of windows specially for security.

My website has loads of family Pictures and videos so my users will be limited to maybe 10 users at any given time.

deathtrap3000 · 26-02-2009, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkyCable

Where did you see that? I looked on their website and could not see it for that price. Would this be alright?

Scrape that I need something with a bit more than 8gig hd

They are instore. They have 120gb hdd's although some are saying that they are advertised as 120gb but coming with 160gb. 1.6ghz atom and 512mb ram which can be upgraded to 1.5gb. And Limpus Linux.

ZrByte · 26-02-2009, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkyCable

I've got a 20MB connection and I'm hoping to move my existing website over to a dedicated server as my existing pc is runnning apache2 , php5, mysql, phpmysql and loads of other apps. I'm also hoping to leave it on as my pc is extremely loud and annoying. I was hoping that a laptop could cover all my basis. I was also thinking of using Ubuntu instead of windows specially for security.

My website has loads of family Pictures and videos so my users will be limited to maybe 10 users at any given time.

A Dell gx240sff or a hp d510USDT will only set you back about Ã‚Â£40 at most second hand on ebay. I think the d510usdt or d51usdt would be the best as it is the slimmest of the two and I would argue quieter. Both run pretty much silent though and both are considerably cheaper than a laptop even if you add a small tft.

funkyCable · 26-02-2009, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathtrap3000

They are instore. They have 120gb hdd's although some are saying that they are advertised as 120gb but coming with 160gb. 1.6ghz atom and 512mb ram which can be upgraded to 1.5gb. And Limpus Linux.

would it be easy to install winxp or change to ubuntu? Now doing a quick good I see there are 8gig SSD HDD and 120gig. I was going to pop into my local ASDA this Saturday and see if they have any. I might even try my tescos.

What speed can you measure the atom processor against using PC cpus? Like P4 3.0ghz?

Should I be trusting someone with a nick of " DEATH TRAP"???? HEHEHE