How do I run a bitcoin node? Should I do it on my old laptop? Should I also mine? Are miners also full nodes?
Discussion
https://bitcoin.org/en/download
Old laptops work just fine.
Up to you if you want to
put forth the capital to mine (you decide).
Miners can act as both a full node and a miner simultaneously.
How do I run a Bitcoin node?
A: by downloading "Bitcoin Core" on your computer.
Installing it appropriately, & running it every so often to keep it current - if you keep it running 24/7 you're doing the network a bigger favor, but it's not a must.
if you have 2TB to spare i'd run a full node, if not just prune it to 5-10GB - it gives you that option at setup just don't click "next" frantically like a baboon š¤£.
Should I do it on my old laptop?
A: Yes.
Should I also mine?
A: this has nothing to do with that, but definitely.
Miners- ASICs do nothing but hash numbers. Running a full node is setting up a computer to have the bitcoin software running, recieving new transactions, and storing past transactions. The computational load of nod is very low. It is mostly about having a good connection and enough storage. Miners just need an RPC connection to a full node to be able to hash the next block. Bitaxe is very efficient. S-19s give off heat for other uses. Anyway, good luck.