Hello Friends
If you have the need to buy a computer as a server
I am assuming there is a some place as Amazon or Tom Hardware where exists a variety of servers (PC, MiniPC) according the manufacturer (HP, DELL) and models based on RAM, processors and SSD technology (as RAID etc).
I hope you see my point (and yes, the OS to be installed is Linux 
to execute Java 
and Spring 
apps)
Best to all
Amazon is a good source. Newegg.com is another one. Be sure to search for refurbished machines–many used ones are perfectly usable.
I second that.. a machine a few years old will most likely run Linux without the driver issues that frequently occur with brand new hardware.
For a server , I would look at a desktop tower… they are cheaper than laptops and more maintainable.
Last time I bought a system to run as a server was on e-bay - refurbished Dell Optiplex SFF (it’s tiny but still has a half height PCIe GPU slot)… Check the reviews of the seller before committing…
It’s my JellyFin Streaming media server… was about $400 AUD… 16 GB RAM (single DDR4), 256 GB SSD, no GPU (onboard graphics enabled) and Win11…
I wiped Win11 off the SSD - added another 3 x 4 GB RAM (for a total of 28)…
Added my Intel Arc A310 GPU…
Installed Debian 13 - initially with Mate DE… Installed JellyFin - connected it to the media on my NAS - started it transcoding all my Media (Movies, TVShows and Documentaries)…
Disabled Mate DE and it’s now a headless server - the discrete GPU is used by JellyFin to transcode content “on the fly”…
There’s actually very little difference between a Linux desktop and a Linux server… Is there even any? Way back when - when UNIX was the king of “workstation O/S” - many users ran an X desktop - but also “served”… and some even acted as the X desktop rendered on remote X servers (i.e. the binaries executed on user’s desktop UNIX machine, but display on remote X terminals - note: an X terminal is actually a “display server”).
The main difference between Windows server and desktop - is - licensing and max number of users… that’s a $$$ thing - Linux doesn’t care too much about $$$ and licensing 
- way back when there was also a CPU limit and a RAM limit separating Win desktop and server…
Some UNIX systems were a PITA with licensing too - SCO was famous - you had to pay double again if you wanted SMP (dual CPU) and then something outrageous to go from 16 users to 32… DG-UX was also similar like that - i.e. a default install only allowed 2 simultaneous users!
For a file server you might find more than the average number of SATA ports useful. … but yes, very little difference. That is why a refurbished desktop is a good buy for setting up a server.
I added an 8 port sata card to my desktop… that gives me loads of disk flexibility…
Not sure where you’re based Manuel, but I normally poke around Currys Business (if only to see what’s out there as they’re normally quite dear), manufacturer sites, GumTree/FB marketplace, CEX, and my local repair shop - they’ve always got loads of NAS kicking around. Seems like the second hand market around me is flooded with them.
I ended up building a mini ITX in the end as bang for buck went a lot further when I was looking.
Tried installing it in MX. Can’t figure out how to make it work.
It is a client/server thing.
You need the server in MX , and a client in your phone or whatever.
I found out that it requires systemd, which isn’t in MX. I guess I don’t really need to sample it.
MX has systemd. You can switch between sysVinit and systemd whenever you want, it has both. Use the Advanced Options in the grub menu and select one of the systemd choices.
I’ve actually tried to run a “server” at home - i.e. an actual server that would normally be hosted in a data centre or a computer room…
Yeah - Nah! You can forget about it - they’re SO NOISY! They draw so much power!
For home use, light tasks I’ll use an SBC (e.g. RPi), for heavier stuff - a SOHO small business style server, or a desktop machine.
My NAS file server is 15 years old - still going HP N40L Microserver… dual-core AMD Turion 16 GB ECC RAM 16 TB storage (11-12 useable)
JellyFin server hex-core i5 (gen10) 28 GB RAM
TVHeadEnd TV server : Raspberry Pi 3 running Debian 9 “Stretch” - it works - I see no reason to f–k with it to get it to run on Debian 12 or 13…
My backup device - i.e. to backup other servers and MacBooks - is a RPi4 with 8 GB RAM - 1 TB USB 3 boot SSD, and 2 x 6 TB USB 3 HDDs for backup (latter 2 connected to the Pi via powered USB 3 hub).
I don’t bother backing up my Linux desktops… no need… my documents are shared across multiple computers with ResilioSync, and Music and Videos are stored on my NAS…
Appreciate the information, Nev, but my computer chair is less comfortable than my TV chair and the Roku TV is far more capable than any computer service I’ve heard of.
Yeah, and 90% of the time they are unused.
My main computer is a file server … but only when it is turned on. That means I have to run the main computer to effectively use any other computer. … I see no solution other than some silent, power-lite box and a lot of reconfiguring.
I will continue having almost everything in one computer … it simplifies life.
One day I might consider a compute server with a stack of GPU power. They are not good enough yet. I really need an array processor with lots of ram, not a GPU with its limited ram and inflated price.
We have had very good luck with Dell refurbs. A client is now running a 340 server (non-rack). Runs ESXi with 6 virtual systems (2 Linux) including a Windows domain controller. Been running 24/7 for about 4 or 5 years, had one drive failure but no outage (mirrored RAID). I like that I can connect to it and check temperatures and drive status as well as power it on and off via IDRAQ (sp?). I have Nextcloud running in a linux VM on the system, I like that I can use curl to send encrypted files to it for temp backup. They have a dedicated NAS box for backups, air gapped backups go to hdd.
When we have to upgrade (ESXi licenses have gone over the top), we will likely move to Proxmox. Have already prototyped moving the VM’s.
We bought a 1U rack mount system once, sounded like a jet fighter. Sent it back, they offered a large $ rebate if we would keep it. If you get a rack mount unit, make sure it is 4U (IMO).
To provide support and backup for that system, I purchased a Dell Precision 5820 system on ebay and mirrored it. I have had good luck on ebay, look for about 30 cents on the dollar (or better). As the man said, check seller ratings. That 5820 from about 3 years ago was under $500, had 64GB of ECC ram and a xeon w-2255. Not a barn bunner but runs ESXi with no problems. I like doing stuff on VM’s, although the host going down makes the room quiet. I could take that system on-site and plug it in. Maybe slow folks down a little.
Depending on your drive needs, I would suggest one of the workstations that is touted for 24/7 operation. We have also used Optiplex’s for that.
You need to swap chairs.
What is a Roku TV?
You mean they do not sell Roku TV’s in Aussie land!! I watch my Roku and play with my laptop from the same recliner!!
Never seen one.
I looked it up… they are a US made in China product.
We get very little from the US … tariffs and exchange rate make US gear expensive. I do have an American tractor.
Our best TV brands are Japanese … Sony, Samsung, …
Australua uses PAL for free-to-air tv … Roku probably dont make PAL TV’s
What is PAL TV?
It is the standard used in Australia and Europe for transmission from the broadcast tower to your TV antenna. The US uses NTSC standard.
In Australia broadcast TV is still superior to internet TV. We have one internet TV set but it is too much mucking around to tune it to an internet channel, and some channels are only available on broadcast , so we use it in broadcast mode.
You probably use internet TV?
The uk is planning on the switch off of this service and move to internet only same with phones no copper fibre only.