If Xms is in a low value, the JVM (usually) won't use all the memory you've given in xmx, it'll use just what it needs & reserve the rest just in case it needs to use more
disagree with this, the issue with aws is the cost. they offer PLENTY of really nice cpus. its just 10x what you'd pay for from buying a host... then ur also paying for bandwith
its a lot more complicated than that. i wouldn't really call it a "plan"
you're paying for an instance, then for how long u use the instance, theres 100s of instances you can chose from, then ur payin for attaching storage to the instance, then paying for the bandwith u use (after 1tb)
in terms of performance, you can get REALLY great hardware. but the great hardware, even if ur only spinning up the instance for half the day, you'd still save money paying for a host (not on aws). with aws, you'd also have setup crazy logic to spin up/off an instance as ur using it