With the constant expansion of the internet into all aspects of the current digital era, a massive amount of personal information is being generated and collected at an unprecedented rate. It’s time to reevalute how cloud computing intrudes on personal privacy. Meet ZimaBlade.

Your Personal, Local Server

ZimaBlade is an x86 personal server designed for local execution and control of everything from file sharing and media playback, to key management and encrypted P2P transmission. Gigabit Ethernet connectivity ensures uninterrupted network access, while PCIe slots, SATA ports, and USB ports offer endless expansion options. A rugged, custom enclosure keeps everything safe and looking great.

Note: The white PCB shown is an engineering prototype and is for evaluation only; the final version of the PCB will be black.

Features & Specifications

• CPU:
  • dual-core option (3760): Intel® Celeron with 2.2 GHz Turbo Speed
  • quad-core option (7700): Intel® Celeron with 2.4 GHz Turbo Speed
  • Intel® AES New Instructions
  • Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
  • Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
• Memory: SODIMM slot, compatible with 16 GB DDR3L RAM
• Storage: Integrated 32 GB eMMC
• Network: 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet
• Display:
  • 1 x 4K MiniDP @ 60 Hz
  • 1 x board-to-board eDP interface
• Graphics:
  • Up to 700 MHz
  • Intel® Quick Sync Video
  • Intel® Clear Video HD Technology
  • Intel® Clear Video Technology
• PCIe: 1 x PCIe 2.0, four lanes
• USB:
  • 1 x USB Type-C (data + power + display)
  • 1 x USB 3.0
  • 2 x USB 2.0
• SATA: 2 x SATA 3.0
• Power: 45 W USB Type-C power adapter
• Thermal: 6 W TDP with passive cooling
• Dimensions: 107 mm x 80 mm x 23 mm
• Enclosure: Custom injection molded polycarbonate (opaque and transparent), aluminum alloy heatsink, and four black silicone feet
• Software: Pre-installed Debian-based CasaOS with streamlined Docker experience. Fully compatible with Windows, Ubuntu, Debian, Raspberry Pi OS, CentOS, OpenWrt, pfSense, Android, LibreELEC, and more.

Block Diagram

Enclosure

A custom, three-piece enclosure keeps ZimaBlade protected and stylish. An opaque frame of injection-molded polycarbonate allows access to all ports at both ends and serves as a rugged frame. A transparent top plate of injection-molded polycarbonate simultaneously protects and shows off the mainboard. A bottom plate of machined aluminum alloy thermally couples to the mainboard’s processor to dissipate heat for silent, fan-free operation. Four black silicone non-slip feet keep your ZimaBlade steady.

Clockwise from upper left: injection-molded opaque polycarbonate frame, injection-molded transparent polycarbonate top shell, machined aluminum allow bottom plate and heatsink, and ZimaBlade mainboard

Fully assembled ZimaBlade

Accessible PCIe connector

Benchmarks

The quad-core (7700) version of ZimaBlade was used in the benchmarks below.

Connect, Expand, Hack

Trusted File Storage

With ZimaBlade’s dual SATA 3 ports and PCIe slots, you can create a personal NAS with up to 154 TB of storage to backup and access your most important files over either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Self-Hosted AI

Get Auto-GPT up and running with a single click. Ever want to automate news tracking, more easily control your smart home, or train a digital social media assistant? With ZimaBlade, you can, and maintain full control.

Media Streaming

From your favorite movies to hi-res music, ZimaBlade can stream everything you need, wherever you are. Because it’s your server, there are no subscriptions or fees.

Retro gaming

Enjoy ZimaBlade’s ultimate retro gaming experience and relive the best of 20th century games. ZimaBlade brings endless hours of nostalgic fun right to your fingertips!

CasaOS

ZimaBlade comes pre-installed with the open source CasaOS operating system, a human-friendly home automation OS that runs on a wide range of hardware. Setting up and managing your home server is a snap with CasaOS’s point-and-click installation of 50+ Docker apps (plus over 100,000 other Docker apps), elegant drive management, and intuitive status reports.

CasaOS is our commitment to our global open source community of developers and users. The CasaOS GitHub repository has over 12,000 stars and our Discord server has over 12,000 members. Join us!

Data Synchronization

Have peace of mind knowing your data is consistently up to date across all your devices. No fear of a local system failure or data loss. Quick synchronization ensures your files and documents are backed up and protected.

Remote Access

Foster efficient teamwork by streamlining workflows and avoiding version conflicts. Provides you with the flexibility and convenience to stay productive. Seamless real-time collaboration with colleagues, clients, or friends, regardless of physical location.

Built-In App Store

Over 20 pre-installed apps and 50+ community-verified apps offer a diverse range of categories, such as downloaders, entertainment, utilities, and more. A plethora of options to enhance your ZimaBlade’s functionality and cater to your specific needs.

Guided Tour of ZimaBlade + CasaOS

Design Philosophy: Dream Big with Small Servers

In the spirit of our ZimaBoard series, ZimaBlade is a tool to protect digital freedom. We ditched traditional bulky shapes and redefined the standard for lightweight servers — low-power, elastic, modular, palm-sized, and multi-core. With modern distributed applications and AI, we can finally dream big with small servers.

Manufacturing Plan

Over the past few years, we have been working to build a complete hardware development process and supply chain from scratch. We have accumulated extensive experience in electronic component procurement, manufacturing, testing, transportation, quality control, and product design. The first generation ZimaBoard has shipped 30,000 units worldwide. All of this experience will be brought to bear on ZimaBlade. At a high level, our plan is:

• Prototype design (COMPLETED): We've spent nearly six months on product positioning, requirements analysis, schematic design, functional verification, and comprehensive testing of our prototypes. Through long burn-in tests and repeated cable insertion and removal tests, we've iterated on the design and ended up with a stable product.
• Enclosure design (COMPLETED): We have selected reliable die-casting and injection molding suppliers for the enclosure and all molds for the metal heatsink and plastic enclosure pieces are complete.
• Small batch trial production (IN PROGRESS): We are on track to complete a trial production run of 200 pieces. This phase is performed to test the process for mass production. We will verify all processes used in production and we will fix any quality problems we encounter.
• Mass production: We plan to start the first mass production run in October. ZimaBlades will start shipping to backers in January 2024.

Fulfillment & Logistics

After production, all ZimaBlade products will be shipped to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, which will deliver to backers worldwide. Additional information about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service can be found in the Ordering, Paying, and Shipping section of their guide.

Risks & Challenges

If any situation delays the estimated delivery time of ZimaBlade, we will promptly notify backers through project updates. In general, we face three categories of risk:

• Production: Mass production is a long, rigorous process, and every mistake is costly. We will strictly follow all processes and standards in production. Our products will pass CE, ROHS, FCC, and other relevant certifications.
• Delivery: We will deliver ZimaBlade in three steps. First, factories and component suppliers deliver goods to our kit partners in the United States. Second, once all kits are assembled and labeled, we will ship them to Mouser's warehouse in Texas. Finally, Mouser will ship directly to backers worlwide. There is a risk of parcel damage or unexpected delay in all three steps. If any delays occur, we will take steps to remedy them and we will inform backers.
• Supply chain: ZimaBlade contains hundreds of electronic components. We try to select components with sufficient inventory for PCB production, but component shortages or price increases may still occur. If so, we would redesign the affected PCB and replace the components, resulting in production delays.

Mission

Without a doubt, the not-too-distant future holds a vision of humans and artificial intelligence living in symbiosis. As we venture forth into this advanced new world, our aspiration is to safeguard a pristine and unblemished realm, a utopia of sorts. Welcome the digital age with open arms and firmly uphold our data autonomy.

IceWhale is committed to exploring new social digital governance systems, providing safe and efficient tools, and crafting practical long-term solutions for individuals and enterprises to meet their specific challenges. We attach great importance to the open-source spirit and keep our focus on powering the CasaOS community.

Community Contributors

Many thanks to these contributors in the IceWhale community, above from left to right:

• GJC (above left) is a fifty-plus computer geek, interested in model airplane flying, travel photography, Xbox playing, event organising, and wardriving.
• WisdomSky (above right) is a regular human who happened to like photography and, most of all, coding.
• Ali.sa (above left) is an advocate of transparency, security, and control in the digital space, standing up for the rights of personal information protection.
• Renée (above middle) is a child raised on technology, born into Silicon Valley.
• David Tippett (above right) is a senior developer by day, and a passionate thinker by night.