After a year of running a laptop as a home server, the author recommends organizing dependencies and configuration with Docker Compose rather than scattered installations, and using wired networking to reduce connection variables. Sustained workloads require attention to dust, ventilation, fans and aging batteries. Charge limits do not make a swollen or damaged cell safe. Storage expansion and recovery backups also need planning, while each additional service brings update and troubleshooting work. Cheap hardware does not automatically become a reliable, maintenance-free appliance.