I’m new to self-hosting and eager to dive in. My budget and space are tight, so I’m looking at a cheap Intel Celeron laptop as my starting point. I plan to add a 2TB SATA SSD if possible, or use a portable SSD via USB if needed. My goal is to learn the ropes while hosting a few essential services.
My Self-Hosting Setup
I want to run a few key services:
- Jellyfin: For streaming my media library
- Nextcloud: For backups and file sharing
- Radarr and Sonarr: To automate media downloads
Initially, I’ll be using Ubuntu Server as my operating system.
Can a Celeron Handle the Load?
My biggest question is whether a Celeron laptop with around 8GB of RAM can handle streaming to up to four devices simultaneously. I’ll mostly be streaming 1080p .mp4 videos. I know the hardware isn’t ideal, but it’s what I can afford right now.
External Storage Concerns
If the laptop only has one drive slot, will using a portable SSD via USB for storage cause problems with performance or reliability?
Learning and Expanding
Beyond this initial setup, what else can I explore with this modest self-hosting setup? I’m eager to learn as much as possible. Any tips for a beginner are greatly appreciated.
Budget Limitations and Future Growth
I know a Celeron laptop will become a bottleneck eventually, but it’s my starting point. As I learn and my needs grow, I’ll upgrade my hardware. For now, this allows me to gain practical experience without breaking the bank.
Seeking Advice from the Community
Any advice or suggestions from experienced self-hosters would be invaluable. Thanks in advance!
