It runs a k3s cluster (on dietpi) with a couple of services:
searxng
nextcloud
git
borgbackup
my website
I plan to add more stuff as the need arises. And the rack has 4 more empty slots for further blades.
The total cost so far:
~100$ per blade + soquartz (~400)
~45$ per nvme (~200)
~75$ per hdd HDDs (~300)
~50$ for the switch
~100$ for the case and random stuff
Total ~1050$
Mostly it is a fun learning experience, since I wanted to get better at devops. Also now I can easily use it to deploy my hobby projects (like the website) in a docker container, which makes it more fun than subscribing to a recurrent payment for a server host. Also, since I have it in my home, it doesn’t matter if there is an internet outage, I can still access the backups and the data on my nextcloud. As a result my computers are very lean and I can easily replace them without having to think about moving important data from the old machine.
I wouldn’t want to get rid of it now.
Whether you need a high power homelab on the other hand is up to your budget and intent. I see it similarely to cars or bikes.
But I think a prebuilt NAS is way more expensive, less flexible and really not worth it unless you really dislike the tinkering aspect.