Thanks KOM and aGeekHere for your replies.
I confess to having seen the PC Engine 1D4 and its greater RAM, and therefore imagine it will fly the E2G software. Loss of blacklists due to being stored on RAMD~/tmp remains a pest. Shall rethink use of SquadGuard…..
WRT the other minis, single LAN [which most appear to be] is problematic though with the USB not insurmountable given some modems have USB ports or at a pinch use an adpator.
Mind you, with my VW Golf exploding last night, I am a little distracted so forgive me if I missed anything. Still happy for suggestions etc…
Oz