Don’t believe the myth that you need a powerful home lab to start self-hosting. With some simple devices and containerization, you can get started with minimal equipment.
Home labs are just one aspect of your computing projects; they’re meant for experimentation and learning. Self-hosting is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require dedicated hardware, except for certain AI tools and media servers that need additional equipment.
Most containers don’t need powerful hardware, and virtual machines are the key to needing a home lab. But, with containers, you can run self-hosted apps on low-power devices like Raspberry Pi boards or even old systems.
Containerization platforms make it easy to use FOSS tools without requiring terminal commands. Many platforms, such as CasaOS and Runtipi, can be deployed with just one terminal command.
You don’t need a home lab to start self-hosting; you can always upgrade later on. With the right equipment, you can start hosting containers and enjoy experimenting with computing projects.
Source: https://www.xda-developers.com/you-dont-need-a-dedicated-home-lab-to-self-host-useful-services