Some people uses Raspberry Pis or an old desktop computers to make a cluster.
Either You trade power for watts or you trade watts for power.
I came across Asahi Linux. I think it opens possibilities to have 600$ powerful computers running on m1 using very low power. Using it as a single instance or a cluster.
What do you think ? What is your feeling about it ? :)
You can install the apps you need in the MAC M1 (most of them) and run it as a server with MacOS. It’s not the best solution but I would prefer to give Asahi a bit more time (In fact, I have a M1 Mac and I am waiting). Right now the power of a M1 Mac with MacOS is incredible with the energy it consumes. If you want to test it and try new things, go ahead!