Didn't Linus say once something like: the OS should not get in the way of the User and just launch there Programs and Manage Resources. This is my Main issue with Windows: all the popups, non scipable settings, and the New "features" are on by default
If you need more ram but not a lot of CPU a used thin client can work, i use a HP t630 since 6 months now with only nextcloud and storage, has 2 ddr4 slots and 2sata m.2(not Nvme) for Expansion. Again its a 4core Pre Ryzen AMD chip so don't expect any Wonders. https://www.parkytowers.me.uk/thin/hp/t630/ this is a good side for this and other thin Clients.
Edit: according to HP the idle Power consumption is ~12w
You can choose on the login screen, works well, but it gets confusing if the whole Desktop gets installed: example GNOME comes with gnome-terminal even if there is already xterm or KDE Konsole on the system
Something like: > sftp://telemetry.microsoft.com that would be even better.