That’s insane, drawing very little power from an always on server is a solved problem.
I know for many who run SBCs (RK3588, Pi, etc.), very little is 1-2W idle, which is almost nothing (and doesn't even need a heatsink if you can stand some throttling from time to time).
Most of the Intel Mini PCs (which are about the same price, with a little more performance) idle at 4-6W, or more.
Unless you have a robot body for your potential RPi, don't buy one.
it's nice to take it on road trips / into hotels.
can't really imagine hauling a server around.
we probably have different definitions of "very little power".
> can't really imagine hauling a server around.
These two sentences contradict each other.
I can fit a raspberry pi and external ssd in my pocket.
I cannot do that for a server.
I could use a laptop, but simply plugging in a firestick to the hotel tv or a projector when camping is nicer.