The original post: /r/homelab by /u/Solid_Physical on 2025-02-01 13:37:00.

Hi, I want to start off with doing some home automation using ESPHome, and I’ve been looking at options for what to run it off. My first idea was to run it off a RPI 4, but thinking that it may limit what I want to do - I’ve been looking towards something like a second hand lenovo desktop or Dell Optiplex. I’m an electronics engineering student, so something cost-effective would be nice.

Thanks a lot in advance, and I look forward to start this journey :)