Summary of INTEL APOLLO LAKE SBC AND MICRO SERVER, “ZIMABOARD” STARTS AT $70
Ice Whale’s ZimaBoard is a fanless x86 single-board computer and microserver aimed at makers and DIYers, offering low-cost private-server capabilities with an Intel Apollo Lake CPU, 4K mini-DisplayPort output, and flexible local storage options. It comes in two models (ZimaBoard 216 and 832) differing in CPU cores, LPDDR4 memory, and eMMC capacity, while sharing features like dual SATA III, dual GbE, USB 3.0, PCIe expansion, and compact dimensions.
Parts used in the ZimaBoard:
- Intel Celeron N3350 SoC (ZimaBoard 216)
- Intel Celeron N3450 SoC (ZimaBoard 832)
- LPDDR4 system memory (2GB on 216, 8GB on 832)
- eMMC on-board storage (16GB on 216, 32GB on 832)
- Mini-DisplayPort 1.2 connector
- SATA III ports (2x)
- PCIe 2.0 x4 slot
- USB 3.0 ports (2x)
- Gigabit Ethernet ports (2x)
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics 500
- 4K video decoding hardware (H.264, H.265, MPEG-2, VC-1)
- Board PCB and passive cooling (fanless design)
Ice Whale’s ZimaBoard is a small, fanless computer that serves as both an x86 SBC and an appropriate power of a micro server. It is a low-cost standard SBC or mini PC with a 6-watt Intel Apollo Lake processor and a 4K capable mini DisplayPort connector.
ZimaBoard was created by makers who got tired of recurring fees, unfriendly presets, and isolated systems,” says Ice Whale. “We want to make the home digital experience more attractive and affordable. It is not the first of its kind as a single board computer, nor as a router or a micro server, but while traditional single board computer products focus on desktop-level scenarios, ZimaBoard is the first private server designed for Makers, DIYers, and Hackers.
The board features LPDDR4 memory, eMMC storage, dual SATA III ports for up to 4TB local storage, PCIe based storage modules and dual USB 3.0 ports for additional storage. It will be available in two models: ZimaBoard 216 and ZimaBoard 832 which are quite similar but a bit different in chipset, system memory, on-board storage, and of course price.
Features and Specifications of the ZimaBoard include:
- SoC
- ZimaBoard 216: Dual-core, 1.1 GHz / 2.4 GHz Intel Celeron N3350 processor; 12 EU Intel HD graphics 500 @ 200 MHz / 650 MHz; 6W TDP
- ZimaBoard 832: Quad-core, 1.1 GHz / 2.2 GHz Intel Celeron N3450 processor; 12 EU Intel HD graphics 500 @ 200 MHz / 700 MHz; 6W TDP
- System Memory
- ZimaBoard 216: 2GB LPDDR4
- ZimaBoard 832: 8GB LPDDR4
- On-board storage
- ZimaBoard 216: 16GB eMMC flash
- ZimaBoard 832: 32GB eMMC flash
- Display: 1x Mini-DP 1.2 that supports up to 4K@60Hz video
- Video Decoding: 4K H.264, H.265, MPEG-2, VC-1
- Storage interface: 2x SATA III 6.0 Gb/s ports for HDD or SSD
- Connectivity: 2x GbE ports
- USB: 2x USB 3.0 ports
- Expansion: 1x PCle 2.0 4x slot
- Dimensions: 120 mm x 74.5 mm x 25 mm
Read more: INTEL APOLLO LAKE SBC AND MICRO SERVER, “ZIMABOARD” STARTS AT $70
- What processors do the ZimaBoard models use?
ZimaBoard 216 uses the dual-core Intel Celeron N3350; ZimaBoard 832 uses the quad-core Intel Celeron N3450. - Can the ZimaBoard drive a 4K display?
Yes; it has a Mini-DP 1.2 connector that supports up to 4K@60Hz. - How much on-board storage do the models include?
ZimaBoard 216 includes 16GB eMMC; ZimaBoard 832 includes 32GB eMMC. - Does the ZimaBoard support additional local storage?
Yes; it has two SATA III ports for HDD or SSD and a PCIe 2.0 x4 slot for expansion. - What memory configurations are available?
ZimaBoard 216 has 2GB LPDDR4; ZimaBoard 832 has 8GB LPDDR4. - How many USB and Ethernet ports does it have?
It has two USB 3.0 ports and two Gigabit Ethernet ports. - What video codecs can the ZimaBoard decode?
It supports 4K H.264, H.265, MPEG-2, and VC-1 decoding. - Is the ZimaBoard actively cooled?
No; it is a fanless design intended for passive cooling.
