[rcarmo]

I think the real counterpoint is that you can built a single-box homelab using something like this: https://taoofmac.com/space/blog/2024/12/26/2330 … and never need another box.

[disambiguation]

Yes exactly, things like this, or synology, old Dell server blades, even a Mac mini. There are many (reasonable priced) products available for homelab adventures. Again the pi concept here is cool, but you can easily get something twice as strong for half the price.