To extend on this: Anybody ever did a test recovery to see if the backups are ok and to dry-test their backup/restore strategy? I have to admit that until now I was too cheap to keep a spare drive array just for testing.

Debatable. Boost through a task and be done quickly, with some more power usage, or chunk along longer with probably more power usage. Would have to be tested, but I’d bet on the boost.

I think you need a ton of patience, the prices for used hardware are fluctuating by a wkide margin. And all of a sudden one single machine type will be available in quantities, for cheap. Probably when a big player scraps all of their equipment. I’ve had some luck with Harlander, mainly with monitors and a document scanner. Might be worth a check from time to time.