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.

Your experiences may vary.
Always make sure to test for stability when installing new services.

Single-Board Computer

~~Great for hosting a small server where you run services only for yourself.~~

The Raspberry Pi – who popularized this style of computer – currently sell three versions of their board: 3B+, 4, and 5. Other options include: similar vendors such as Banana Pi, Orange Pi and Pine Board; the completely open hardware Libre Board; the Asus TinkerBoard and the Texas Instruments Beagle Board.

Great for hosting a small server where you run services only for yourself.

These computers are reasonably priced with decent specifications.

Price Range: $35 to $200
Minimum Specs: 1.2GHz ARM quad-core system-on-a-chip; 4GB of RAM; 32GB of Class 10 SDXC flash memory; 1Gbit Ethernet.
Recommended Specs: test
Where To Buy: test

This class of commodity computers use ARM processors that are part of a system-on-a-chip. They are extremely power efficient with ~~specific~~performance ~~performance~~specifics being dependent on the model you purchase. Generally, the 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 ~~HATs~~HAT add-ons and ~~hardware~~project development.

~~Examples~~Home Server: Use a Raspberry Pi 4 for ~~usage~~Home Assistant to manage your smart devices and Grocy to keep track of your kitchen inventory.

Personal Cloud: The Raspberry Pi 5 and a USB 3.0 Hard Drive can be a personal OwnCloud server for your calendar, contacts and files. Add Collabora to edit documents, slideshows and spreadsheets directly in your browser.

Personal Website: Use the low-cost Raspberry Pi 3B+ to host a basic website or personal resume from home.

Personal Wiki: Use the Libre Computer Solitude for hosting your own BookStack or MediaWiki to keep track of your personal knowledge.

Review text.

~~Raspberry Pi 3, 4 or 5~~

~~Libre computer~~

~~Tinker board, orange pi, banana pi~~

~~Grocy and home assistant~~

~~OwnCloud and Collabora~~

~~Personal website or resume~~

~~Knowledge wiki~~

Mini PC

BeeLink S12Pro or Intel NUC

Radarr, Sonarr, Bazarr + Jellyfin

Multiple Personal websites and a knowledge wiki

Refurbished Computer

Minimum recommended specs

All Arr apps , Kavita, audiobookshelf, jellyfin

OwnCloud, Collabora, paperless, Vikunja, vscode

WordPress + Flarum

Dell refurbished or new egg

Good will, savers, local refurbished computer shop. Green PC and interconnection. Decent server grade computers can even be found refurbished.

Custom-Built Computer

Preferred system requirements

System 76

Media server and personal cloud

Website + forum + wiki + admin tools