Need help starting.

I want to set up my laptop to run as a server/NAS would this be easier done by installing ubuntu server or regular desktop ubuntu. I would like to be able to still run a few programs on it.

<OLD POST; Edited to better phrase>
Okay so first let me say my goal is to use a laptop that has some hard drives coected via USB as a NAS as well as a media server if possible. I am really wondering would it be better to just use ubuntu server, or go with desktop and install something to allow me to make a NAS? I am hoping to still using the laptop to just run small things if needed but mostly act as a NAS that other ubuntu, and windows machines can access. Bonus if it could with mac, and somehow get Google Drive to work with it. Is there any way to get google drive to sync? Really if anyone has a notion or an idea of what I want and knows more about this area if you give me a nudge with some links that would be amazing. Yes I did google and search ubuntuforums but i found so many threads and so many different opinions and most are not for the latest ubuntu but past releases.

Thanks.