It's not like that is a unique set of IO features, even for the SoC that is used it is somewhat sparse. Granted, bolting on more IO on such a low-end chip would have limited use, but SATA and PCIe have been rather common on small single board computers for over a decade.

As for what software you can run: you can do that on any PC, that has nothing to do with this board.

The processor is weak comparatively on the Zima. I think the minimum you want to be looking at is the current generation of Intel N-series. CWWK and Topton make nice options that have similar I/O, better networking. STH [0] has a good article reviewing.

[0] https://www.servethehome.com/almost-a-decade-in-the-making-o...

> But the selling point of this board is IO not CPU

> the processor is weak comparatively on the Zima

…

Wouldn't you rather have a decent CPU and better I/O at the same price point in a similar form factor?

There are options. Some that are better, which is why I posted the link. Not everyone is OK with a couple generations old CPU.

> Wouldn't you rather have a decent CPU and better I/O at the same price point in a similar form factor?

Zima's site showcase benchmarks that position their boards at the same performance level of a Raspberry Pi 4.

The recently announced Raspberry Pi 5 doubles that, improves all IO, and costs between half and a third of an equivalent Zimaboard.

For the price of a Zimaboard, we can drop by Amazon and buy a MiniPC from the likes of Beelink or Minisforum.

Isn't putting TrueNas in a VM a big no-no?

Pass the underlying disk or HBA to be fully owned by the TrueNAS VM and you will be a-okay.