# Quick-Start Examples

This is an overview of some quick-start computers you can use to create a server for your self-hosted cloud services.

# Single-Board Computers

The [Raspberry Pi](https://raspberrypi.com) – who popularized this style of computer – currently sell three versions of their board: [3B+](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-b-plus/), [4](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/), and[ 5](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/). Other options include: similar vendors such as [Banana Pi](https://www.banana-pi.org/web/), [Orange Pi](http://www.orangepi.org/) and [Pine Board](https://pineboards.io/); the completely open hardware [Libre Board](https://libre.computer/); the Asus [TinkerBoard](https://www.asus.com/us/networking-iot-servers/aiot-industrial-solutions/all-series/tinker-board/) and the Texas Instruments [Beagle Board](https://www.beagleboard.org/).

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-sell-cost-%2450-%E2%80%93-%24200" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Sell</span>

**Cost**

$50 – $200

</td></tr></tbody></table>

Single-board computers work well for small servers, but can struggle under heavy usage. While cost-effective, they are also examples er, but these computers can run for months without needing to be restarted.

[![1000006095.jpg](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/1000006095.jpg)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/1000006095.jpg)

<p class="callout info">Great for hosting a small server where you run services only for yourself.</p>

<details id="bkmrk-home-server-use-a-ra"><summary>Home Server</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-07 at 18.19.42.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-18-19-42.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-18-19-42.png)

Use a [Raspberry Pi 4](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/) for [Home Assistant](https://hub.subspace.services/books/home-assistant "Home Assistant") to manage your smart devices and [Grocy](https://hub.subspace.services/books/grocy "Grocy") to keep track of your kitchen inventory.

</details><details id="bkmrk-personal-cloud-the-r"><summary>Personal Cloud</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-07 at 13.34.49.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-13-34-49.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-13-34-49.png)

The [Raspberry Pi 5](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/) and a USB 3.0 Hard Drive can be a personal [OwnCloud](https://hub.subspace.services/books/owncloud "OwnCloud") server for your calendar, contacts and files. Add [Collabora](https://hub.subspace.services/books/collabora "Collabora") to edit documents, slideshows and spreadsheets directly in your browser.

</details><details id="bkmrk-personal-wiki-use-th"><summary>Personal Wiki</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-09 at 20.32.07.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-09-at-20-32-07.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-09-at-20-32-07.png)

Use the [Libre Computer Solitude](https://libre.computer/products/aml-s905d3-cc/) for hosting your own [BookStack](https://hub.subspace.services/books/collabora "BookStack") to keep track of your personal knowledge.

</details><p class="callout warning">**Your experiences may vary.**  
Always make sure to test for stability when installing new services.</p>

This class of commodity computers use ARM processors that are part of a system-on-a-chip. They are extremely power efficient with performance specifics being dependent on the model you purchase. Generally, they are powered using a USB connector and a high-quality cable.

By default, many come with an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI and 3.5mm audio output. These board also come with a GPIO port which offers programmable pins for HAT add-ons and project development.

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-minimum-specificatio" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-width: 1px; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td>Minimum Specifications</td></tr></thead></table>

<table border="1" class="align-left" id="bkmrk-stylus_laser_pointer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px; border-width: 0px; height: 261.6px; border-spacing: 5px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 7.02367%;"></col><col style="width: 92.9744%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Developer\_board</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;">**Processor**

- 1.5GHz
- Quad-Core
- ARM system-on-a-chip

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Memory</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;">**Memory**

- 8GB or higher
- DDR4

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">View\_in\_ar</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Graphics**

- Integrated Graphics
- Shared Memory

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Hard\_drive</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Storage**

- 32GB Class 10 SDXC

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Lan</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Connectivity**

- 1GBit Ethernet
- BlueTooth
- USB 3.0
- GPIO

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-where-to-buy" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td>Where To Buy</td></tr></thead></table>

<table border="1" class="align-left" id="bkmrk-store-where-to-buy-%C2%A0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px; border-width: 0px; height: 261.6px; border-spacing: 5px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px; width: 20px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Language</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Online**

- [AdaFruit](https://www.adafruit.com/)
- [LoveRpi](https://www.loverpi.com/collections/)
- [CanaKit](https://www.canakit.com/)
- [SparkFun](https://www.sparkfun.com/)
- [AmeriDroid](https://ameridroid.com/)
- [MicroCenter](https://www.microcenter.com/)
- [Official Raspberry Pi distributors](https://www.raspberrypi.com/resellers/)

</td></tr></tbody></table>

# Mini PC

Small form-factor traditional computers have become popular for creating your own personal media server and set-top boxes using [Plex](https://hub.subspace.services/books/plex "Plex") or [Jellyfin](https://hub.subspace.services/books/jellyfin "Jellyfin"). These are sold by many notable PC manufacturers, such as [Intel NUCs](https://staging.nucoutlet.intel.com/) or Dell's [OptiPlex](https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/sf/optiplex-desktops) and [Precision](https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktops-all-in-one-pcs/sf/precision-desktops) series. There are other direct-to-consumer options like [System76](https://system76.com/), [BeeLink](https://www.bee-link.com/) and [GeekomPC](https://www.geekompc.com/).


<table border="1" id="bkmrk-sell-cost-%2450-%E2%80%93-%24200" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 99.9805%; border-width: 0px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.7067%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Sell</span>

**Cost**

$150 – $1500

</td></tr></tbody></table>

Mini PCs can work well for a small personal media or cloud server, but lack the power to support multiple users. Many computers in this form factor cannot support a graphics card or additional hard drives. High-speed NVME hard drives are increasingly common, greatly improving performance for basic cloud servers.[![1000006105.jpg](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/1000006105.jpg)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/1000006105.jpg)

<p class="callout info">Great option for hosting a small media server or a cloud solution for your family.</p>

<details id="bkmrk-media-manager-and-se"><summary>Media Manager and Server</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-08 at 15.28.05.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-08-at-15-28-05.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-08-at-15-28-05.png)

Host your own [Jellyfin](https://hub.subspace.services/books/jellyfin "Jellyfin") media server to stream your media remotely. Personal media managers like [Radarr](https://hub.subspace.services/books/radarr "Radarr"), [Sonarr](https://hub.subspace.services/books/sonarr "Sonarr"), [Lidarr](https://hub.subspace.services/books/lidarr "Lidarr"), [Readarr](https://hub.subspace.services/books/readarr "Readarr") and [Bazarr](https://hub.subspace.services/books/bazarr "Bazarr") can help keep track of your media, while [Prowlarr](https://hub.subspace.services/books/prowlarr "Prowlarr") can aggregate search results for missing media to send to your peer-to-peer [qBittorrent](https://hub.subspace.services/books/qbittorrent "qBittorrent") server.

</details><details id="bkmrk-personal-blog%2C-websi"><summary>Personal Blog, Website and Wiki</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-08 at 17.31.43.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-08-at-17-31-43.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-08-at-17-31-43.png)

Express yourself with a [WordPress](https://hub.subspace.services/books/wordpress "WordPress") blog, build a knowledge base with [MediaWiki](https://hub.subspace.services/books/mediawiki "MediaWiki") and host your own [personal website](https://hub.subspace.services/books/nginx "nginx") or [resume](https://hub.subspace.services/books/reactive-resume "Reactive Resume").

</details><p class="callout warning">**Your experiences may vary.**   
Always make sure to test for stability when installing new services.</p>

These types of computers uses the traditional x86 architecture which gives them more processing power at the cost of more power usage. Depending on the model, they may use a desktop or mobile processor and have differing levels of extensibility for add-ons like graphics cards or hard drives.

These computers can be reasonably priced with a traditional x86 processor and expandable storage. Many mini PCs come with different connectivity options such as USB, HDMI, 3.5mm audio, optical audio, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-minimum-specificatio" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td>Minimum Specifications</td></tr></thead></table>

<table border="1" class="align-left" id="bkmrk-stylus_laser_pointer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px; border-width: 0px; height: 261.6px; border-spacing: 5px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 7.02367%;"></col><col style="width: 92.9744%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Developer\_board</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;">**Processor**

- 2.5GHz or higher
- Quad-Core, Dual-Threaded
- x86/AMD64 architecture

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Memory</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;">**Memory**

- 16GB or higher
- DDR4

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">View\_in\_ar</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Graphics**

- Integrated Graphics
- Shared Memory

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Hard\_drive</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Storage**

- 250GB SSD
- 2TB+ HDD

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Lan</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Connectivity**

- Gigabit Ethernet
- BlueTooth
- USB 3.0

</td></tr></tbody></table>


<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-where-to-buy" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 99.9779%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td>Where To Buy</td></tr></thead></table>

<table border="1" class="align-left" id="bkmrk-language-online-beel" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px; border-width: 0px; height: 261.6px; border-spacing: 5px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px; width: 20px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Language</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Online**

- [BeeLink](https://www.bee-link.com/)
- [GeekomPC](https://www.geekompc.com)
- [System76](https://system76.com/desktops/meerkat/)
- [Newegg](https://www.newegg.com)
- [MicroCenter](https://www.microcenter.com/)
- [GreenPC](https://greenpc.shop/)
- [PCs For People](https://www.pcsforpeople.org/)
- [Dell Refurbished](https://www.dellrefurbished.com/)
- [HP Refurbished](https://www.hp.com/us-en/services/workforce-solutions/workforce-computing/renew-solutions/refurbished-hardware.html)
- other online marketplaces.

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px; width: 20px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Storefront</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**In-Store**

- [Goodwill](https://www.goodwill.org/)
- [BestBuy](https://www.bestbuy.com/)

</td></tr></tbody></table>

# Workstation Computer

These desktops offer the most versatility and can be upgraded over time. Desktop computers are reliant and extensible, making them a great option for always-on server. They can be upgraded over time, making it easy to add more storage, RAM or a more powerful graphics card as your user base grows.

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-sell-cost-%24500-%E2%80%93-%2420" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Sell</span>

**Cost**

$500 – $2000

</td></tr></tbody></table>

Desktop tower computers offer the most power and extensibility for a versatile personal server. They can run multi-purpose services including an [OwnCloud](https://hub.subspace.services/books/owncloud "OwnCloud") personal cloud, [Collabora](https://hub.subspace.services/books/collabora "Collabora") office software, [Jellyfin](https://hub.subspace.services/books/jellyfin "Jellyfin") media server, [qBittorrent](https://hub.subspace.services/books/qbittorrent "qBittorrent") peer-to-peer server and [procurement services](https://hub.subspace.services/books/quick-bundles/page/media-managers "Media Procurement") to curate your media.

[![1000006109.jpg](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/1000006109.jpg)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/1000006109.jpg)

<p class="callout info">Best option for hosting a server for use by yourself, friends and family.</p>

<details id="bkmrk-cloud-office-suite-h"><summary>Cloud Office Suite</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-07 at 16.16.05.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-16-16-05.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-16-16-05.png)

Host [OwnCloud](https://hub.subspace.services/books/owncloud "OwnCloud") for calendars, contacts and remote document access, as well as [Collabora](https://hub.subspace.services/books/collabora "Collabora") to edit files directly in your browser. Plan our your next project with [Vikunja](https://hub.subspace.services/books/vikunja "Vikunja"), organize documents with [Paperless-NGX](https://hub.subspace.services/books/paperless-ngx "Paperless-ngx"), and develop code right in your browser with [vscode](https://hub.subspace.services/books/vscode "vscode"). Manage your passwords, Two-Factor Authentication and secure documents using [BitWarden](https://hub.subspace.services/books/vaultwarden "BitWarden").

</details><details id="bkmrk-online-community-hos"><summary>Online Community</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-09 at 21.16.37.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-09-at-21-16-37.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-09-at-21-16-37.png)

Host a [WordPress](https://hub.subspace.services/books/wordpress "WordPress") blog to share updates, document a project using [MediaWiki](https://hub.subspace.services/books/mediawiki "MediaWiki"), build community through a [Flarum](https://hub.subspace.services/books/flarum "Flarum") forum, and manage your own streaming with [OwnCast](https://hub.subspace.services/books/owncast "OwnCast").

</details><p class="callout warning">**Your experiences may vary.**  
Always make sure to test for stability when installing new services.</p>

These computers have space for a dedicated graphic cards, as well as both traditional hard drives and NVME solid state disks. There are even external USB or Thunderbolt storage options to use for your backup solutions. RAM can also be easily upgraded as needed to run more concurrent services.

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-minimum-specificatio" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td>Minimum Specifications</td></tr></thead></table>

<table border="1" class="align-left" id="bkmrk-stylus_laser_pointer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px; border-width: 0px; height: 261.6px; border-spacing: 5px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 7.02367%;"></col><col style="width: 92.9744%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Developer\_board</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;">**Processor**

- 2.5GHz or higher
- 64-bit
- Quad-Core, Dual-Threaded
- x86/AMD64 architecture

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Memory</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;">**Memory**

- 16GB or higher
- DDR4

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">View\_in\_ar</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Graphics**

- Dedicated Graphics
- 4GB or more
- AMD Preferred

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Hard\_drive</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Storage**

- 250GB SSD NVMe
- 6TB+ SATA HDD

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Lan</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Connectivity**

- 1Gbit Ethernet
- USB 3.0

</td></tr></tbody></table>


<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-where-to-buy" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 99.9779%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td>Where To Buy</td></tr></thead></table>

<table border="1" class="align-left" id="bkmrk-language-online-beel" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px; border-width: 0px; height: 261.6px; border-spacing: 5px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px; width: 20px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Language</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Online**

- [System76](https://system76.com/desktops/meerkat/)
- [Newegg](https://www.newegg.com)
- [MicroCenter](https://www.microcenter.com/)
- [GreenPC](https://greenpc.shop/)
- [PCs For People](https://www.pcsforpeople.org/)
- [Dell Refurbished](https://www.dellrefurbished.com/)
- [HP Refurbished](https://www.hp.com/us-en/services/workforce-solutions/workforce-computing/renew-solutions/refurbished-hardware.html)
- other online marketplaces.

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px; width: 20px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Storefront</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**In-Store**

- [BestBuy](https://www.bestbuy.com/)

</td></tr></tbody></table>