One Mac mini server or several small devices?
A power-efficient homelab can place most work on one capable computer or spread it across several small computers. The current setup uses an old desktop running Proxmox, with several LXCs, , and storage drives on the same system. A Zero W separately runs a backup AdGuard DNS server, keeping name lookup available if the main server fails.
The central question is what several would add when one computer may offer simpler management and lower . No measured power figures, results, or concrete benefits of the multi-device approach are provided.
Key points
- An old desktop runs Proxmox, multiple LXCs, , and storage drives.
- A Zero W provides a backup AdGuard DNS server.
- The backup keeps DNS available when the main server fails.
- The main issue is whether several offer enough benefit over one powerful, efficient computer.
- No power measurements or comparisons are included.