I also want to do some routing on a gigabit link, so the RPI doesn't scratch that itch. I'm also not comfortable with the various horror stories I've heard about SD cards dying in Pis (although I've run one with home assistant for several years with no issues).

I'd also like to avoid running external drives, the goal being to have a self-contained unit. I'd rather have a larger unit instead of multiple small ones that require cabling (mostly for esthetic reasons) and various dongles.