Most of us go through a new laptop or computer every 3 to 5 years. A lot of the time our old computer still work, but it is either starting to run slow or you want and require new rich features brand new computer have to offer.

Most people either throw their old laptop or computers out, or give them away, as there is not a lot of resale value on old computers.

But did you know you can use your old laptop as a home based server?

Most servers are more like desktop computers, but for the home environment you can certainly use your old laptop and there are more reasons to than you might realise.

What can I use a home based server for?

If you have a computer network at home, most of us do, and you have multiple people using the network, a home based small server might be a great way for you to all share information and files.

What a server can be used for in only limited by your imagination, but you can :

• store files and movies on it to share with other people ion the network.
• back up your computer so if something happens all your files a recoverable.
• use it as a media center to watch movies from, to your computer or smart television.
• use as a test environment.
• create your own web server.
• control what other people access on the internet.

Pros of using a laptop as a home server

Laptops are an awesome option to us e as a server because home server do not need to be powerful. Pretty much any old laptop made in the last 7 years will pretty much fit all of your home network needs.

• If you loose power. Laptops have batteries built into them and you don’t need to buy a ups in the event you loose power to access your data.
• Laptops are small and you can put them in areas where there is to a lot of room, out of the way.
• They have a screen built into them so you don’t need to add a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
• Laptops do not use a lot of power, keeping your electricity bills down.
• Most home server do not require a lot of computing power.

Cons of using a laptop as a home server

• Harder to add and change components.
• Usually come with smaller hard drives. You might have to add an external USB drive.
• Laptops generally generate more heat.

What software do I need?

Your computer probably already come with its own operating system like Windows, but there are tonnes of better operating systems out there to use which will optimse your computers hardware and simply designed to use as server.

Ubuntu desktop or Ubuntu server is a great choice for a home server and is totally free, click here. Not only is Linux incredibly powerful, secure and free, it can also be heaps of fun learning and playing with this type of operating system.

If you want to run a media server so you can watch movies on your computer, mobile devices and media devices such as a Roku, Xbox, Play station or Smart TV, PLEX is a great way to do that.

There are plenty of instructions online about setting a PLEX server up which is really easy and once its done you simply upload the movie or media file to your new server and other people on your network or even outside if you choose can watch the same movie.