I've been struck by an idea and wonder if anyone on the list has done
something like it. I've been wanting to put together a modest computer to
use as a dial-up server for a modest network (Hey, only two working
computers in the apartment currently). My current desktop computer is
running a bit too hot right now to consider leaving it on for long lengths,
and my old box is mostly put back together (pentium 100 on an old Intel
board I can't seem to find any documentation for), but I've only got one
monitor and as of yet no KVM switch (Yes I said to working computers in the
apartment, the other is my Sister's not mine).
So I got to wondering, I keep running across listings for older laptops for
$350-400 and lower. Later 486 models and early pentium and pentium clones.
Has anyone tried simply running a laptop of a wall-wart rather than
battery and using it as a modest home network server? When I didn't need
to work on it I could simply fold down the monitor (hmm, well as long as it
isn't a model that shuts down when you do that) to keep the keyboard from
getting poked and set it aside.
Now I know the newer laptops can get quite hot, but would I be likely to
have heat problems with say a pentium 100?
Sure it wouldn't be a "great" server, but I'd think it ought to be at least
adequate, and best of all no need to either get a second monitor (taking up
the last of the free space on the desk) or a KVM switch. Though I would
need to more than likely get a PCMCIA network card and modem (though if the
laptop has a serial port then I could simply plug in my external modem).
It's an idea anyway.
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