Hardware Advice

[Mavity]

I'm going to set up a Jellyfin server for my parents soon and wanted some advice for hardware. I could use one of two old computers we have around the house or get one from my university's surplus sale that would probably be similar to my personal server (an Optiplex with an i7-4770). The computers we have are a Dell with an i3-3240 or a Dell Optiplex 780 with a Core 2 Duo E8400. Cost really isn't a big deal if I do go for one from a surplus sale, as they usually have pretty low prices. 

I'm planning on running Jellyfin with Docker on Debian 12, if that makes a difference.
Thanks!

[bitmap]

I used an OptiPlex that's likely the same exact model as a server at one point. It works, but any transcoding at all was pretty much a no go. So if your media is 100% compatible with client devices, that's fine. If not, you'll need something way more recent (iX-8yyyy+).

As a curiosity, why would you set up a new server rather than revise libraries and provide access to your own with either a reverse proxy or VPN setup? The i3 or a newer one you mentioned could either work as a HTPC, or you could use a client they already have. Managing one server will prove much easier over time, even if you're able to access theirs remotely. If you're a student, then....yeah I get it. You can't really run a full-fledged server on campus wifi (and not get caught).

[Mavity]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

As for why I don't just share mine - I was living in university housing until this month so I couldn't just give them access to my server then because I'm sure I'd get an email from university IT about it. Now, it's mostly the fact that my parents use Rokus - I use Tailscale as a VPN for my server, and unfortunately they don't support Roku. My mom isn't tech-savvy at all, so trying to set up a HTPC for them or some sort of device on their network to route the traffic through Tailscale is probably not worth the trouble and it's just easier to set up an entirely new server for them.

[bitmap]

I use Tailscale as a VPN for my server, and unfortunately they don't support Roku

Bigger issue. I highly doubt -- as somebody who works in higher ed, formerly in IT, good friends w/ our wireless network admin -- your university could even identify the streaming traffic from a few users. They're more concerned about people running their own networks and borking WiFi for an entire floor of dorms.

[tompw]

I'm going to set up a Jellyfin server for my parents soon and wanted some advice for hardware. I could use one of two old computers we have around the house...

Per my signature, my Jellyfin server uses a processor released in 2012. Is yours older than that? :-)

I have had no problems with playback, even with 4K content. The only change I made was adding external storage - and you will have to do that with any consumer computer, even a brand new one.