> I could afford the ~55/month for a dedicated server with 32GB and 4cores
Umm... you spent 55128 = ~$5000 over 8 years. You could have bought 3 top-specced laptops. A good $1500 laptop will last at least 2-3 years. You would also get some resale value out of your laptop when you upgrade.
> I did not have the money for a new laptop
> I could afford the ~55/month for a dedicated server with 32GB and 4cores
Umm... you spent 55128 = ~$5000 over 8 years. You could have bought 3 top-specced laptops. A good $1500 laptop will last at least 2-3 years. You would also get some resale value out of your laptop when you upgrade.