Online PC gamers love the idea of servers because they can install large install files as backups without them getting in the way of valuable processing power and RAM needed to play a game on high or ultra settings on their gaming rigs. A handy and widespread use of home servers is loading and ripping your entire DVD or Blu-Ray collection onto a server, then being able to stream any from any device in your home. Many find that their old machines, specific Macs with OS X 10.3 operating systems or higher are especially popular due to their Apache software, which is a popular web server application. Today’s home server usage mainly relies on storage for backups, old files, or for someone who may need a larger space to store larger files like high definition video. For users with a website less than 20 visitors at a time, however, depending on parts and machines used, running costs could be around the same price granted you are willing to put up with a steep learning curve. Nowadays, cloud services and web-based hosting from companies with the capital, infrastructure, and resources can host your website with a much higher traffic demand and cut costs down for customers. Keep computers, phones, and laptops on the same network allowing them to share and store data in one spot.Ĭontrary to popular belief, most home server users are not using them for running a website. For small businesses, having a server is a no-brainer to keep all of your multiple devices connected. Creatives making music, films, or writing content can mitigate all of their data to one centralized location for storage, that can be pulled up quicker than having it be pulled up from an external device. Users wanting to store more data on a network and server, rather than a slower external device can use home servers to fill that void. However, the uses for a home or small business server are vital for those using a lot of hard drive space. The idea of a home server has always been in the back of minds with more tech-savvy experience. Keep Devices Connected and Working in Sync