CMR vs SMR: Which NAS Hard Drives Are Safe in 2026
CMR vs SMR in plain English: why SMR drives wreck RAID rebuilds, which WD Red models to avoid, and the NAS drives worth buying in 2026.
Hardware
Mini PCs, NAS devices, and home server hardware — tested for power consumption, performance, and value.
Best Home Server OS in 2026: Proxmox vs TrueNAS vs Unraid vs Plain Linux
The best home server OS in 2026 depends on your goal: Proxmox for VMs, TrueNAS for storage, Unraid for ease, plain Linux for control. Practical guide.
Raspberry Pi Self-Hosting in 2026: What You Can (and Can’t) Actually Run
Raspberry Pi self-hosting in 2026: what a Pi 5 can actually run, what it can't, real power and cost numbers, and when a mini PC is the smarter buy.
Best NAS for Plex in 2026: Synology vs UGREEN — Honest Buyer’s Guide
Best NAS for Plex in 2026 — Synology DS224+ vs UGREEN DXP2800 head-to-head, plus budget and power-user picks. Includes hardware transcoding facts.
Best Mini PC for Self-Hosting in 2026: 5 Tested Picks Under $500
The best mini PC for self hosting in 2026 — I tested 5 picks under $500 for Docker, Plex, and Proxmox. Honest specs and prices.