Hey... sorry I need a better way to track these discussions. So... I looked at the TruNAS mini before and just configured the base model: TruNAS Celeron & 8GB

Hey... sorry I need a better way to track these discussions. So... I looked at the TruNAS mini before and just configured the base model: TruNAS Celeron & 8GB RAM (with 1x1TB SSD and 3x2TB HD) vs. HPE Xeon & 16GB RAM (with 1x500GB SSD and 3x1TB HD). So accounting for the smaller drives the TruNAS comes in around 1300USD (>1600CAD) vs the 1120 CAD I spent on the HPE (but I got it on sale). Note the HPE drive bays are NOT hotswap though they are quick change. As for VMs, it entirely depends on the workloads you need to run of course. It's lots for mine :) but I can see getting a second one at some point if I needed to.