The ZimaBlade has been an expertise. I’ve spent months with the gadget, however how does it stack up towards comparable units?
Made by IceWhale, the ZimaBlade is a small single-board laptop, geared toward self-hosting. To assist on this, IceWhale ships it with its customized working system, CasaOS. Constructed atop Linux, it focuses on constructing out your suite of functions via Docker.
CasaOS goals to be a friendlier leaping on-point than a command line. Nonetheless, I discovered that the extra I distanced myself from the proprietary software program, the simpler it bought to deal with.
Key specs
- Processor: Intel Celeron J3455
- RAM: As much as 16GB DDR3 RAM
- Storage: 32GB onboard storage
- Working System: CasaOS (Helps most x86 OS)
- IO: USB-C (energy), USB-A, Ethernet, mini-Show Port, PCIe 2.0 x4 connector, 2x SATA ports
- Value: $79
Professionals
Cons
Extremely versatile with what it might assist
Slower than what’s accessible at comparable costs
Full-sized PCIe entry
CasaOS isn’t superb
Good choice of I/O
Design
A compact, high-quality field, the ZimaBlade is sort of a putting gadget. I really like the plastic clear panel to stare immediately on the motherboard inside. It’s additionally purposeful, in addition to slick. The metallic chassis acts as a heatsink, maintaining the gadget comparatively cool – even because the UK heats up.
Whereas I might have favored the PCIe slot to be flush with the highest, I perceive why it juts out, it’s simply not tall sufficient. IceWhale despatched over an assortment of PCIe units, and all of them required eradicating the protect close to the inputs and outputs (I/O).
These are minor gripes, as the remainder of the I/O is straightforward to entry. On both sides, it’s crammed to the brim with choices for including extra storage or equipment.
I really like the small dimension although. As soon as every little thing is ready up, the ZimaBlade simply packs into media facilities, racks, and even simply off to the aspect quietly operating.
Options
The ZimaBlade follows on from IceWhale’s different single-board server, the ZimaBoard. Smaller, extra compact and solely that includes one Ethernet port, it hinges on that PCIe slot to open it up.
Whereas solely PCIe 2.0, it’s greater than sufficient for studying and writing knowledge in these low-end functions. In fact, the PCIe can develop I/O, opening the chances additional.
You too can use SATA, which I’ve a 250GB SSD arrange via. It’s an extremely versatile gadget, making plenty of configurations potential.
It’s additionally a superb method to save potential e-waste, with bits and items slowly accumulating into a possible Frankenstein’s monster.
There’s additionally an expandable DDR3 RAM slot, which might take as much as 16GB. Whereas solely DDR3, once more, the ZimaBlade by no means actually appeared to falter. It’s extra about setting expectations, this isn’t going to be streaming out 4K video in full HDR.
I’ve discovered it to be a superb media server. At the moment, it hosts my rising Physician Who Large End Assortment and a wealth of comics. This isn’t with out a fixed battle, although.
CasaOS
Thank God the gadget is constructed on x86. Whereas server working techniques and Docker run superb on ARM units just like the Raspberry Pi, it makes selecting a substitute OS far simpler.
Sadly, whereas CasaOS might be superb for some, I stored operating into points. Customized functions wouldn’t load correctly, with the expectation that you just’ll use the built-in retailer’s apps. Nonetheless, the world of Docker is huge and CasaOS feels limiting.
It’s nice at primary performance. CasaOS will instantly detect new storage after which as soon as arrange, it’ll supply to “merge” the units into one. This makes organising apps with Docker Compose far simpler. Mapping directories to at least one unified drive slightly than navigating via a number of is a welcome addition.
If you use the app retailer, the OS does a terrific job of putting in every little thing. At its greatest, I can see the use case for CasaOS. At its worst, it feels limiting in a piece of tech that thrives on freedom.
The ZimaBlade is great when you ditch CasaOS
I discovered CasaOS irritating although. As I discussed, putting in customized functions felt prefer it wasn’t welcome. They hardly ever labored, and after they did, CasaOS was lacking key dependencies to get them to work.
In fact, being Linux, there’s at all times a method to set up them, nevertheless it was extra work than it was price. Sooner or later, I stripped it of CasaOS and went elsewhere.
I opted to make use of Ubuntu Server, manually putting in every little thing and residing within the terminal. After a few hiccups with Docker, I now have one of the crucial dependable units I’ve come throughout.
Audiobookshelf and Komga serve me nerdy goodness in any respect hours, and I can’t wait to develop it additional by shifting over to NVMe SSDs sooner or later
Verdict – 4/5
When you’re into self-hosting, you are able to do worse than the ZimaBlade. The flexibleness of the gadget simply makes it a superb, all-round selection for storage or serving media. There are loads extra choices within the sea, however few supply this sort of resolution.
I don’t assume it’s wholly profitable out of the field, however with a little bit tinkering – one thing it paradoxically encourages in comparison with CasaOS – it may be was a pint-sized self-hosting powerhouse.
Do you have to get a ZimaBlade or a Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi 5 is considerably quicker than the ZimaBlade, boasting an up to date ARM chip and as much as 8GB of DDR5 RAM.
Nonetheless, velocity and energy aren’t at all times vital. Whereas the Raspberry Pi is nice for larger initiatives or embedded options, the ZimaBlade comfortably sits as one of many higher media servers I’ve used.
The ZimaBlade’s PCIe port makes attaching storage or different peripherals extremely straightforward. With devoted SATA ports, USB-A and mini-Show Out, it might simply turn into a powerhouse. It’s simply not sitting on the bleeding fringe of expertise.
