Icewhale Technology Limited has announced the ZimaBoard, a small-form-factor hybrid single-board computer/mini-server for DIY network hacking and home-brew media centers.

There are two versions available, both housed in a futuristic-looking shell, unlike any SBC we've seen before.

ZimaBoard: The SBC for DIY Networkers

Using popular SBCs like the Raspberry Pi as a small server is nothing new. ZimaBoard joins boards from Orange Pi and ESPRESSObin as a purpose-built module for creating custom media servers. It also looks like something you'd find in your inventory in Cyberpunk 2077.

There are two variations, which differ in power, but the general footprint is the same for both. Each has 2 SATA 6.0 GB/s ports, 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a PCIe 2,0 slot, and Mini DisplayPort 1.2.

The cheaper ZimaBoard 216 variation comes with an Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core CPU running at 1.1-2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, and 16GB onboard eMMC storage. The Zimaboard 832 comes with a Quad-Core Intel Celeron N3450 CPU and ups the RAM and storage to 8GB and 32GB, respectively.

Icewhale Technology has said the board will launch on Kickstarter soon, with no set date. Those interested can sign up for more information on the ZimaBoard website.

ZimaBoard Uses

When the Kickstarter is live, the ZimaBoard 216 will be available for just $69.99, with the ZimaBoard 832 available for $129.99. These prices will be Kickstarter exclusive, and the retail price will rise to $99.99 and $179.99, respectively, after the campaign.

Full Specifications of the ZimaBoard

The two variations of the ZimaBoard differ in several ways:

ZimaBoard 216:

  • Price: $99.99 ($69.99 Kickstarter exclusive price)
  • CPU: Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core 1.1-2.4GHz
  • RAM: 2G LPDDR4
  • Storage: 16GB eMMC

ZimaBoard 832:

  • Price: $179.99 ($129.99 Kickstarter exclusive price)
  • CPU: Intel Celeron N3450 Quad Core 1.1-2.2GHz
  • RAM: 8G LPDDR4
  • Storage: 32GB eMMC

Other than that, both boards have a similar setup:

  • HDD/SSD: 2x SATA 6.0 Gb/s Ports
  • LAN: 2x GbE LAN Ports
  • USB: 2x USB 3.0
  • PCle: 1x PCle 2.0 4x
  • Display: 1x Mini-DisplayPort 1.2 4k@60Hz
  • TDP: 6W
  • Dimensions(H x W x D): 120 x 74.5 x 25 mm
  • Pre-installed OS: Linux
  • Compatible OS: Linux / Windows / OpenWrt / pfSense / Andorid / Libreelec

Other features include Passive Cooling, Intel VT-d, VT-x, AES-NI, and support 4K video transcoding (H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), MPEG-2, VC-1).

A Network Attached Swiss Army Knife

Both variants of the ZimaBoard looks to be powerful enough for most home uses. While the lower specced version might stutter in some places, it'd make the perfect home media server, and it is no surprise to see LibreELEC support right out of the box.

Where ZimaBoards differ from small SBCs like the Orange Pi Zero2, is the dedicated hardware designed to make it easy to use it for network routing, rather than just a network-attached board.

While it is usually a moot point, the case/heatsink of the ZimaBoard looks amazing. This is one of the more unusual looking SBCs we've seen in some time, and while how it runs is the most important factor, this board wouldn't look out of place mounted in plain view.