Hello. I was hoping to get some advice or recommendations for netbooks I can run 24/7 as a web server.
What doesn't matter to me:
Uptime. I currently have a Linode, but I just don't use it enough to justify $25/mo. Of course there are cheaper hosts but I've also been using it for Linux programming projects (Python, C++), some of which gather data periodically throughout the day, which is why I'm not just dual-booting my laptop.
Performance. I'm not doing anything computationally intensive. Mostly running a LAMP or LEMP stack and making HTTP GET requests every few minutes (at most for a couple hundred KB of data) and parsing.
Power Usage. I can't imagine any modern netbook consuming more than 12 watts on average, but even saying 15 watts, that's 10.8 kWh/month, and even at 30 cents/kWh (summer peak rates), that's only $3/month.
What does matter to me:
Durability over 24/7 operation. I'm mainly concerned about it running smoothly and consistently despite running constantly—Are there any netbooks (makers or models) that have a reputation for such reliability? Or—and this would help me just as much—Are there any netbooks (makers or models) that have a reputation for overheating or degrading noticeably over time, that I should avoid?
Cost. I would be dissuaded if this ended up being too pricey. Under $200 would be ideal, but it should absolutely be under $300. (1 year of Linode = $300. Not that that's how I've come up with the number.)
Capable of running Slackware (preferred) or Ubuntu, compatibly. (I'm not sure if this is too technical for this forum so please ignore this point if it is.) I haven't kept up with Linux in a while—do most netbooks nowadays have smooth support for Linux? (Maybe it's better to put conversely—Does Slackware include support for most netbook hardware nowadays?—I'm not worried about Ubuntu, but I prefer to use Slackware.) Or are there some makes / models that are known to enjoy better support with Linux. I remember 7 years ago having to jump through many hoops (building modules from source) just to get my ThinkPad's wireless card working on Slackware. (And I was a student then—but now I have a job—I have no time for unnecessary shenanigans )
I would really appreciate any comments / suggestions even if they don't give complete answers. I'm a programmer but completely clueless about hardware and the latest tech. I've never owned a netbook, for one thing, and the last time I installed Linux was 7 years ago.
Thanks in advance.
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