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Laptop as server, how to best manage battery? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by mgrimace@lemmy.ca to c/selfhosted@lemmy.world

30 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hello folks,

What do folks recommend as good practices to use a laptop as an always on, always plugged-in server? Specifically, how to manage the battery and some of the potential cautions/dangers of keeping it plugged in.

I have a spare Dell workstation laptop that I'd like to use as a Proxmox node. I've seen a number of posts where folks will mention that using a spare laptop works well because it has a built in 'UPS', but then in the comments there's caution about the battery being plugged in all the time.

I'm curious what folks do in terms of battery management, assuming I want to keep this as hands-off/low maintenance (but fireproof) as possible.

Thank you all so much, ~M

Update: thank you all so much for the great advice. This is a Dell Workstation and it does have a 'Primarily AC use' power setting in the BIOS, as well as custom charge levels available. Appreciate it and I hope this discussion helps other folks looking to do the same!

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[–] cecilkorik@lemmy.ca 9 points 6 days ago (1 children)

This is FUD. Dell workstation class laptops are absolutely designed for running at full power with the lid closed (and for use with a docking station, in fact). That's why it's called a "workstation". Business class laptops are a totally different beast than consumer-grade/"gaming" laptops. They are typically quite durable, quite tolerant, and quite repairable. Exceptions, obviously, exist, and we don't know the exact model OP is talking about, but there's no reason to assume they will have any issues running it as intended.

I run several old consumer grade laptops as light servers, permanently closed, and they've been perfectly fine for years.

[–] adarza@piefed.ca 7 points 6 days ago (2 children)

i run several mass-market consumer model laptops with the lid closed. as long as the vents aren't obstructed, not a problem here. mine are all lower-wattage soc with integrated gpu, though; the most demanding one that's on 24/7 is still only ~ 15w cpu at 100% load, and it never runs at that; it rarely even throttles up from the 800mhz it idles at. i stand them on end so the vents are clear, and use some lego to enforce spacing between 'em.

[–] bootstrap@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 6 days ago

Lego, the original 3D printer

[–] irmadlad@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

and use some lego to enforce spacing between 'em.

Brilliant! You like things straight and even...so do I :) When I read that I said. this is a kindred spirit. I have two door wedges (stops?) up under one of my keyboards because it sits behind yet another keyboard, and the factory height wasn't sufficient.