Laptop as a server?

[Steven Martindale]

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.