The Zebion Thin Client FL200 is a compact thin client built around an ARM Cortex-A9 dual-core processor at 1 GHz with 512 MB RAM and embedded Linux 2.6, according to the product listing found in our search. For pfSense firewall deployments that need more processing power and memory, the closest Thinvent alternatives are the Thinvent Treo Mini PC range with Intel and AMD processors, which offer more cores, far more RAM, and larger storage.
Zebion FL200 vs Thinvent Treo Mini PC Range
| Feature | Zebion Thin Client FL200 | Thinvent Treo Mini PC, Intel Celeron N5095A | Thinvent Treo Mini PC, Intel Core i5-1240P | Thinvent Treo Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | ARM Cortex-A9 | Intel Celeron N5095A | Intel Core i5-1240P | AMD Ryzen 5 7430U |
| Cores/Threads | 2 cores | 4 cores | 12 cores | 6 cores |
| RAM | 512 MB | Up to 8 GB | Up to 64 GB | Up to 64 GB |
| Storage | Not stated | Up to 2 TB SSD | Up to 2 TB SSD | Up to 2 TB SSD |
| Form Factor | Thin client | Mini PC | Mini PC | Mini PC |
| Max Frequency | 1 GHz | Up to 2.9 GHz | Up to 4.4 GHz | Up to 4.3 GHz |
| Operating System | Embedded Linux 2.6 | DOS | DOS | DOS |
Key differences
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Much more memory: Thinvent Treo Mini PCs offer up to 64 GB of RAM, against 512 MB on the FL200, which gives pfSense far more room for state tables, packet inspection and concurrent sessions.
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More processing cores: The Thinvent Treo range offers 4 to 12 cores, against 2 cores on the FL200.
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Higher clock speeds: Thinvent Treo models reach up to 4.4 GHz, against 1 GHz on the FL200.
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Larger storage: Thinvent Treo models support up to 2 TB SSD storage.
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Trade-off: The Zebion FL200 is an ARM-based thin client with a smaller footprint and lower power draw, and it runs an embedded Linux OS. Thinvent Treo Mini PCs are x86 systems that ship with DOS, so the pfSense installation must be planned for that platform.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Zebion FL200 if you need a very small, low-power ARM device for light, fixed-function tasks. Choose a Thinvent Treo Mini PC if you want a pfSense firewall with more memory, more cores and higher throughput, including Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors.
