Can confirm.
If you have a spare laptop, you can run a node.
Tools like nostr:nprofile1qqsrf5h4ya83jk8u6t9jgc76h6kalz3plp9vusjpm2ygqgalqhxgp9gpz4mhxue69uhk2er9dchxummnw3ezumrpdejqzyrhwden5te0dehhxarj9ekxzmnyqyt8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnwdaehgu3wvfskueq555fk2 make it even better, but Phoenix wallet is the best for those taking their first steps.

nostr:nevent1qqspywza9u3q8076qp6ruemvnd5etaeednd3ngu56dq2e6x6wapaq4qppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qgs9pk20ctv9srrg9vr354p03v0rrgsqkpggh2u45va77zz4mu5p6ccrqsqqqqqpadp97m 

 Any old hardware will run a node... But laptop isn't great for it unless you plan to have it on 24/7?

A raspberry pi stuffed inside a cupboard is probably better?