IceWhale has introduced the ZimaCube 2, a compact NAS and mini-server platform designed for home labs, creators, and small teams looking for flexible local infrastructure. The new model is powered by 12th Gen Alder Lake processors from Intel and offers multiple configurations focused on storage scalability, connectivity, and expansion support.
The ZimaCube 2 measures 240 x 221 x 220 mm, keeping the footprint manageable while still allowing room for high-capacity storage configurations. The system includes six drive bays compatible with both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives using SATA III or NVMe interfaces. In addition, up to four M.2 slots are available for SSD storage, bringing the maximum supported capacity to 164 TB depending on the selected configuration and drive sizes.
IceWhale is offering three primary versions of the ZimaCube 2. The base model includes an Intel Core i3-1215U processor paired with 8 GB of DDR5 memory and a 256 GB NVMe SSD. A Pro model upgrades the CPU to the Core i5-1235U and increases memory capacity to 16 GB. Both models allow users to configure additional storage based on their needs.
For more demanding workloads, the Creator Pack version adds a dedicated GPU option, featuring the RTX Pro 2000 from NVIDIA. This configuration targets users working with virtualization, rendering workloads, AI experimentation, or media processing tasks that can benefit from GPU acceleration. The Creator Pack also includes 64 GB of DDR5 memory and a 1 TB NVMe SSD as standard.
Expansion capabilities include two PCIe slots. The primary slot is PCIe 4.0 x16 in physical size, operating at x4 bandwidth, allowing installation of GPUs or high-speed add-in cards. A secondary PCIe 3.0 x8 slot, operating at x2 bandwidth, supports network cards or NVMe adapters. These options allow the system to adapt to different use cases, including high-speed networking or additional storage expansion.
Connectivity options include dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, four USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and two 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports. Higher-end configurations may include optional 10 GbE networking support. Display connectivity is also available through HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, allowing the system to function as a compact workstation when needed.
The platform runs ZimaOS Plus, a Linux-based operating system developed for self-hosted environments such as private cloud storage, media libraries, containers, and virtual machines. The OS is designed to simplify the deployment of services commonly used in home server and development environments.
Pricing starts at $799 for the base configuration. The Pro version is priced at $1,299, while the Creator Pack with GPU support is listed at $2,499. The base model is available in a silver finish, while the Pro variant comes in black. Pre-orders are currently open through the IceWhale website, with shipments expected later this year.
ZimaCube 2 Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor Options | Intel Core i3-1215U, Core i5-1235U |
| GPU Option | NVIDIA RTX Pro 2000 (Creator Pack) |
| Memory | Up to 64GB DDR5 |
| Storage Support | 6x SATA/NVMe bays + 4x M.2 slots |
| Maximum Capacity | Up to 164TB |
| Networking | Dual 2.5 GbE, optional 10 GbE |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, 4x USB 3.0 Type-A |
| Expansion | PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4), PCIe 3.0 x8 (x2) |
| Video Output | HDMI, DisplayPort |
| Operating System | ZimaOS Plus (Linux-based) |
| Starting Price | $799 |
