Ok Fediverse, hit me up at your nerdiest:

@Em0nM4stodon got one of those Chinese ones to play around with from work. Messing around with virtualisation is great, let's you do weird cursed stuff and then quickly pretend like nothing happened. If you want to mess around with a lot of things, having a host OS or hypervisor and some VMs or containers on top is great for tinkering.

@Em0nM4stodon Pretty "vanilla":

OS: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) x86_64
Host: HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Desktop Mini SBKPF
Shell: zsh 5.9
Resolution: 3840x2160
DE: GNOME 43.9
WM: Mutter
WM Theme: Adwaita
Theme: Adwaita [GTK2/3]
Icons: Adwaita [GTK2/3]
Terminal: gnome-terminal
CPU: Intel i5-9500T (6) @ 3.700GHz
GPU: Intel CoffeeLake-S GT2 [UHD Graphics 630]
Memory: 6799MiB / 31432MiB
Disk: Sandisk Corp WD Black SN770 NVMe SSD (1TB)

(I also don't know how to markdown, apparently)

@Em0nM4stodon any old hardware with a dgpu at 4+GB of ram and Bazzite. You'll be able to emulate and play stuff the steam deck can and just have a hassle free time. I want moar but I know it's possible to have fun with very little

@Em0nM4stodon It's not super fancy, but it's decently fast, stable and does what I need it to as a daily driver. (Also didn't cost a ton, since I bought it used and upgraded the disk/ram)

@Em0nM4stodon KolibriOS, because it is a lightweight heavy champion:) It floats like a butterfly & stings like a bee. xD

@Em0nM4stodon #pandering

@Em0nM4stodon

My favorite Linux setup is a small board, programmed with a Busybox script to compile the minimalist features I need. Minimal hardware and minimal software usually lasts many years when safely tucked away within a secure box and battery backup. It's all about reliability and security.

@Em0nM4stodon@infosec.exchange Beelink SER5 Pro, with Debian 13. upgraded to 62 GB RAM and 4 TB nvme.
https://dasnetzundich.de/neuer-server-daheim/

@Em0nM4stodon does it need to have no screen? Because I still haven't gotten over how awesome GPD MicroPC 2 is for the price. It's certainly very mini.

And, well, arch btw, ofc.

@Em0nM4stodon lenovo thinkcenter m910 and Debian. Perfect homelab combo.

The thinkcenter uses a notebook i5 that runs at 4-15 Wats on average and 35 watts when it uses 100% CPU (like Immich classification).

There exists a ton of spare parts and extensions for them. Easy to open and tinker with. And there are many refurbished ones available at around 100€.

@Em0nM4stodon Mine indeed

Linux Mint + HP pro Mini 400 G9

Why ?

Its price : second hand used mini PC -> 250 euros
Linux mint : using it for years without errors (failed update only once)

2 x 27" screens ( Hmdi + display port)

I have added a 4TO SSD, and it fulfills all my needs.

@lars 62 GB RAM?!?!?!

@Em0nM4stodon MeLE Quieter 4C running Void Linux. Everything works and it’s actually very performant for a “low end” system.

@Em0nM4stodon@infosec.exchange It's a PineBook - not Pro, but the original - but the one with the high res 1920x1080 screen. It's small, runs forever on batteries, can stay charged from any USB port, and it runs #NetBSD awesomely.

@Em0nM4stodon

I have a self-built PC running CachyOS with i3 + XLibre. It's a content creation PC that I share with my producer.