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What really separates a PC from a server? Mainly the hardware, but I guess software too.
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this post was submitted on 26 Feb 2025
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It’s really how you use it. In short, a server is what other devices rely on and a computer is used on its own to sometimes connect to a server.
I have a “server” at home that runs on Windows 11 Pro. There are people who buy (or pirate) the server editions of Windows to use for personal, every day use. Rare, but they exist. Same with Linux, with many distros not having a specialized edition for servers, but people still will use it for a home server or even in a professional setting.
What separates the two, to explain to a five year old, is how they are used.
My server at home “serves” up content for me to use on other devices. I have a library of music and movies and TV shows there that is being shared. Additionally, this server sets up the connection and a local website that my other devices can use to access this content. A server is either rarely off or has a set schedule that it is on since it has a purpose that other devices rely on.
A PC (personal computer) is what you use on a daily basis. This is used either seldomly or at random as it is only being relied upon by a human that will wake it up as they need it.
In a professional setting, a server will host the application that manages the employees of that organization. This server is like a watchdog on the network, making sure everyone is abiding by the guidelines laid out for this network and using proper security to access computers and other devices on the network. A computer in a professional setting is used as often as a human employee needs it. IT may need the laptop to remote into a server and then turn it off and not use it for a few weeks. The manager opens her computer to log in and run reports and then closes when she’s done for the day.