im trying to decide whether i should use my laptop as a server...this would require leaving it on 24/7, maybe restart it a couple times a month.. would anyone advise against this? does the fact that the laptop is smaller have any negative effects on airflow and cooling?

This one is run on a 486 Laptop: http://83.67.55.228/

NOOOOOO!!!! Laptops are not designed for continues use 24/7. If they are left on all the time they atleast need to be not on demant some of the time. Laptps are not very reliable and will not cool as well. They also have slower hds and most have slower proccesors. in most cases laptops cajn not handle the load of being a server and will ware out quickly. Insed of using a laptop as a aerver buy a cheap pc...or a cheep serverr but dont use a laptop.

I have never seen a laptop used as a server. Would I recommend it? No, I would not. As what has already been said, laptops do run very hot. Granted they have heat sinks and fans to help out I would not place that kind of stress on one. Bottom line though it is your choice. KTTD WankerDrivers.Com

You didn't say what kind of server and how it would startup or not. It may not need to be left on 24/7. For the most part there are many home/small business reasons one might use a laptop for some server needs. Sometimes you gotta use what you got. I use a very old laptop on 2003 and it is just fine for my use. I was very suprised that on some tasks it equals my dual P4 xeon.

Ok, nearly equals.

Depends on the load placed and what software, the one I pointed out gets minimal hits and is run on PCDOS/EZNOS, absolutley no Windows/Unix. The Admin says it does get hot but not excessively if raised up so there is cool air flowing around it, and as 486 laptops are two a penny easily replaced.