The problem initially was that you don't know exactly what you need to run a node. Asking the question tends to pull up expensive rigs and configurarions that, while helpful and convenient, are not a great entry way into node running. I remember downloading bitcoin core for the first time, getting it all synced up on my laptop and being in this weird mental limbo state of disbelief that what I had downloaded for free was sufficiently considered a full node. Ive since moved to rasp pi with umbrel to lighten the load on my laptop, however, anyone can run a node for free. If not a full node, at least a partial. I'm hold out on lightning until this ordinal/maxi war is settled.