First homelab build swaps a NAS for an all-in-one NIMO Nexus Pro mini server
Looking to self-host more data and run things locally instead of relying on , the builder picked the NIMO Nexus Pro over a traditional NAS. The appeal was that it handles storage, self-hosted apps, and even local AI experiments, making it feel like a real homelab machine rather than a basic storage box. Build quality exceeded expectations, it fits neatly under a desk, and it feels solid enough to leave running 24/7.
The software side is still a work in progress. The plan for the coming weeks: try the built-in ZimaOS (a lightweight storage-focused OS) before deciding whether to switch to something else, migrate existing containers to consolidate the whole homelab onto this one machine, build a local AI setup using OpenClaw, Ollama, and a , and benchmark different local to balance storage, compute, and power efficiency.
Key points
- Chose the NIMO Nexus Pro mini server over a traditional NAS to combine storage, self-hosted apps, and local AI in one box
- Plans to try the pre-installed ZimaOS before deciding whether to switch s
- Aims to consolidate existing homelab containers onto this single machine
- Plans to build a local AI setup with OpenClaw, Ollama, and a
- Intends to benchmark workflows to balance storage, compute, and power efficiency