Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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I unboxed the chunky -- yet adorable -- ZimaBoard 2 to see if it’s the ultimate $400 home server... But my home network had *other plans*. From a dead switch port to installing a 14TB drive, this first impression got chaotic fast. I put a ton of work into this one. Let me know if you liked it in the comments below!

Read my full review: gardinerbryant.com/zimaboard2-the-full-review
Watch the exclusive cut of this video: gardinerbryant.com/zima-board-2-unboxing-first-impressions

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*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
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❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings

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*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My Podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Matrix Chat: matrix.to/#/#the-bryant-review:matrix.org
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com

*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
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❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
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❯ 🪙 Bitcoin: bc1qgz3r4yhzvxm7s8srutkvlnm2c70n8gga4j259e

About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.

heavyelement.com

Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com


-- Chapters --
00:00 ZimaBoard2 Unboxing & First Impressions
01:46 What's in the box?
05:00 Attaching the HDD bay to the chassis
06:48 First boot troubleshooting...
12:43 ZimaBoard 2 Software Experience
14:53 The actual ZimaOS experience
18:32 Installing the active cooling
20:26 Installing & formatting a hard drive
23:27 Closing thoughts...