Newbie help!!
Sorry if this comes across as really stupid or naive, but I just recently started my journey down the rabbit hole of mini home servers/homelabs. First off, thank you all for the great information on this subreddit. I’ve been learning a ton, especially coming from a non-tech background (currently an RN).
I always thought I had more than a basic understanding of IT, but I quickly realized I was only scratching the surface. Right now, I’m mainly interested in learning more about basic IT, Linux fundamentals, and maybe even some very basic programming skills down the road (I currently have absolutely zero programming knowledge).
Eventually, I’m planning on pairing my future mini lab with a NAS, or possibly incorporating everything into one setup. I’ll probably start using Jellyfin to host my own shows/movies and move away from streaming services. I’m also interested in building a basic smart home with a security system using Reolink cameras, and who knows… maybe I’ll even start data hoarding LOL.
That said, all of that is way down the line. Right now, I just want to learn the basics and set up a simple home server to experiment and learn on.
I’ve been reading posts and watching YouTube videos trying to learn more about mini PCs as a starting point, and I found what I think might be a decent deal:
HP ProDesk 600 G6 Mini — $180 on eBay
- Intel Core i5-10600T (10th Gen)
- 16 GB RAM
- 256 GB SSD
Does this seem like a good place to start, or should I be looking for something else instead?
Also, is there anything else I should know before getting into this hobby? Like I said, I’m coming from a medical background, so I know basic computer concepts, but I’m still very much a beginner. Any advice or knowledge you lovely people could share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance!!