Notebooks and Mini ITX Machines as Home Servers?

An anonymous reader asks: "I recently moved into a townhouse (the first time on my own, actually) and need to get a server up and running before the other trivial stuff (furniture, getting food in the fridge, *getting* a fridge, etc, etc). I need the basic set of services - HTTP, FTP, DNS, SMTP/POP3 for any self respecting geek. The drawback is that I'm on a limited budget (money and space wise) and need a server that is *extremely* energy efficient, takes up little space, makes no noise, and generates very little heat. A basic P4 notebook seems to fit the bill - small, low power consumption, built in screen/keyboard/mouse (no need for KVM), wireless so I can stick it on the top shelf of my closet, and generates less heat and noise than your average desktop. Is there any reason to consider, say, a mini ITX rig (such as a shuttle) over this? Any drawbacks?"

Comments

Cost

[TwoStep]

A mini-itx setup should be signifigantly cheaper than a P4 laptop. It also is somewhat upgradable, though that depends on the exact MB you get. I would look into the VIA Epia/Edens, as they are extremely enegery efficent and produce very little heat.

Twostep

Laptops work, but be careful

[crow]

I did this with an old P120 laptop, and I had over 500 days of uptime (well, it rolled over at 497).

Some cautions to consider: laptops aren't designed as servers. I've heard stories of hard drives not surviving continuous use. Newer systems with fans still generate noise and heat--be sure it's ventilated.

laptops rule

[peteshaw]

I remember when a previous employer had four servers set up in a mini-rack. It was a very efficient use of space. As far as a laptop goes.

Options:
Get an old pentium and make do, for 350.
Best Buy has HP 1.8ghz celeron lappy's for 699 and up
If you do need the power of a P4, then you will probably have to pay for it.

Pros of the laptop:
Built in UPS
Very low power consumption

Cons:
compatibility may be an issue if you run linux
longevity not as good as server
bang per dollar

OTOH, you mention the mini-itx cases. Why? Because they are cool? I don't think they use any less power than a full size. Is there a space constraint?

with the mini itx
Pros
Cheaper
sort-of expandable
cheaper replacement parts
looks cool -- chicks dig it

Cons
more power usage

I guess my big question is what are you gonna do with it? "The usual geek stuff" can be handled with a P-300 last I checked-- just buy an old laptop. But also, is power that expensive? You are *buying* a house, the ten bucks a month in electric surely won't bust ya. I don't get it.