Reddit and Lemmy.world offers dedicated groups to nerd out on our battlestations. You might have one and not yet know it.
What is a battlestation?
It is really just a cool term for your office setup, but normally dedicated to gaming according to Vice. We're going to take this same idea, but adapt it for the Linux Prepper-style user.
A battlestation is a term used to describe a gaming setup, typically involving a computer, monitors, and gaming peripherals, designed for optimal performance and comfort
So, how about we take this same idea and adapt it....
Building out my battlestation
It wasn't getting a new laptop, but rather my new laptop breaking down that inspired me to crack open the discarded gear drawer... or as I like to call it, The Cabinet. Both of my laptops broke down, leaving me with having to recover my data off an old Apple laptop and looking to revive older Ubuntu machines. It just so happens, because I have that DIY hoarder mentality, that I had on-hand:
- Two Intel NUC computers
- One has a solitary USB 3.0 port
- One only has USB 2.0
- Two matching 24" monitors
- One keyboard
- several older mice
- Two desks
What do I actually need for recording?
- USB microphone
- Headphones
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- Paper and Pen
- Some level of physical comfort - chair, tea, water
Assembling the podcasting, and a music, battle station
I like to work at my desk, or near it, so I ended up building out two battlestations.
Battlestation -- Intel Nuc with i5, 12gb ram, single USB 3.0 port, Ubuntu 24.04
Ultra low end battlestation -- i3 Nuc 16gb ram with USB 2.0, works wonderfully with the Sabrent 60W USB 3.0 Hub
Portable Battlestation for conferences, live theatre and travel
- LifeTime Plastic Folding table - 6' and 8'. $30 - $60 on sale.
- Butcher paper, for wrapping the table for protection during usage and crafting
- Table cloth
- Link2Home, 30 foot cord with 3 outlets and dual USB, $20 - 30.
- Ikea Rast (discontinued 19" dresser) - for mounting rack hardware and experimentation. Was $35, now expect higher.