Old PC as Plex server - power consumption

Gal Yaish · February 9

Hello everyone,

I have been using my old laptop as a Plex server for a while. I'm using Windows for now and I wonder whether using Linux as my operating system would be more efficient. My laptop is Dell Vostro 5570 .

If this is the wrong approach entirely I would be happy to hear your suggestions.

Thank you very much!

da na · February 9

Operating system would make very little difference, epsecially on a laptop, which is already quite efficient.

Godlygamer23 · February 9

The efficiency might go up if Linux(either because of the application itself, or the OS) allows the laptop to perform better - in effect, your performance per watt goes up. But in this specific case, I doubt Plex would make a difference between Linux and Windows. Further reviewing though would be required unless data already exists, either from a user here, or somewhere else online.

Needfuldoer · February 10

Linux won't magically make the computer more energy efficient.

Besides, it's a laptop. It can only draw as much power as its AC adapter is rated for (usually 45 to 65 watts), and most of the time it's going to draw far less than that. Knocking that down is splitting hairs in the grand scheme of things.