However, the dated Apollo Lake CPU is slower and more power-hungry than the current ARM-based single-board computers.
The ZimaBlade single-board computer looks surprisingly similar to an old-school portable cassette player.
The SBC has plenty of connectors, which makes this hacker-friendly platform versatile and unique.
The SBC features a single USB punch in-C, which supplies power and drives a DisplayPort output.
Various perks are available; the most basic, containing a Dual-Core Intel Celeron N3350, isavailablefor $64.
The ZimaBlade 7700, built around a Quad-Core J3455 CPU, sells for $96.
Except for the CPU, both have the same hardware and require a DDR3L memory module to boot.
ZimaBlade: Design
The ZimaBlade computer comes with a male-to-male jot down-C and one SATA cable.
The passively cooled unit measures 107mm x 80mm x 32mm and weighs 175g.
Being very light, connecting various cables can become problematic as the case can topple easily.
The Zimablade designers have worked hard to produce an enclosure that showcases the computers internal components.
A transparent plastic top displays the SODIMM memory but not the CPU.
With no power button available, the hardware turns on when plugging a jot down-C cable.
The PCIe socket location does not allow easy card insertion.
The cards metal bracket has to be removed before use.
One aspect not found on similar-priced platforms is expanding the memory to 16GB using DDR3L SODIMM.
The ZimaBlade targets an audience that strives for high-speed interfaces.
Seven connectors provide connectivity for many use cases with throughputs above the gigabit mark.
Two SATA6 and one Gigabit Ethernet socket turn the ZimaBlade into a redundant storage server.
Three internal connectors, two USB 2.0 connectors, and one eDP socket allow additional peripherals.
The computer then boots CasaOS, a lightweight cloud-accessible platform with an ever-increasing number of applications.
ZimaBlade is extremely fast at booting, taking just five seconds to display the Linux login.
A lean OS means a lowly 20% RAM utilization with an 8GB memory module.
With the 1G LAN connected, software updates run automatically and keep the platform secured.
Running Geekbench6 on the ZimaBlade involves installing through SSH.
Hardkernels Odroid H3+ is very similar to the ZimaBlade, being passively cooled and possessing various high-speed connectors.
The single SODIMM socket gives the user an upgrade path to more memory.
The onboard eMMC storage memory turns the unit into a self-contained product.
Finally, a price below $100 tilts the balance, making the ZimaBlade a must-have gadget this year.
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