Synology is closing the gap on third-party hard drive support further in 2025

Over the last few years, Synology have not been exact about being forward in supporting. Back in 2021, we started to see the brand reduce the number of third-party hard drives and SSDs on their systems. This diminishing support has manifested itself in two main ways. The first is that drives that are listed on the official support and compatibility pages have significantly reduced, favouring the utilisation of their own growing range of hard drives and SSD media. The second way this has presented itself drew significant criticism in 2022/2023, when utilising third-party hardware resulted in the system presenting warning messages and even service limitations being suggested. It appears that this is something they are putting into force for their new 2025 series of devices. Numerous websites in Germany have today reported that Synology plans to go full first-party drive priority on all systems released from the 2025 generation and onwards. An official statement from Synology via an official source has not been released, but it appears that the brand is going to go hard on pushing their own drives when using their own systems – at least at launch. So, what are the intended limitations for those who want to use non-Synology branded drives from Seagate and Western Digital? And why would Synology do this with their systems that have been open for over 25 years? Let’s discuss.

UPDATE #2 – There is now an official press release by Synology on this, available from Synology.de:

Synology is increasingly relying on its own ecosystem for upcoming Plus models Germany, Düsseldorf – April 16, 2025 – Following the success of the High-Performance series, the company is now increasingly relying on Synology’s own storage media for the Plus series models, which will be released starting in 2025. Users will thus benefit from higher performance, increased reliability, and more efficient support.  “With our proprietary hard drive solution, we have already seen significant benefits for our customers in a variety of deployment scenarios,” said Chad Chiang, Managing Director of Synology GmbH and Synology UK. “By expanding our integrated ecosystem to the Plus series, we aim to provide all users—from home users to small businesses—with the highest levels of security and performance, while also offering significantly more efficient support.”  For users, this means that starting with the Plus series models released in 2025, only Synology’s own hard drives and third-party hard drives certified according to Synology’s specifications will be compatible and offer the full range of functions and support.

There will be no changes for Plus models released up to and including 2024 (excluding the XS Plus series and rack models). Furthermore, migrating hard drives from existing Synology NAS to a new Plus model will continue to be possible without restrictions.  The use of compatible and unlisted hard drives will be subject to certain restrictions in the future, such as pool creation and support for issues and failures caused by the use of incompatible storage media. Volume-wide deduplication, lifespan analysis, and automatic hard drive firmware updates will only be available for Synology hard drives in the future.  Tight integration of Synology NAS systems and hard drives reduces compatibility issues and increases system reliability and performance. At the same time, firmware updates and security patches can be deployed more efficiently, ensuring a high level of data security and more efficient support for Synology customers.

TL;DR: Synology to Restrict Third-Party Drive Functionality on 2025+ NAS Models

Starting with the 2025 generation of Synology Plus series NAS devices, the company appears to be tightening restrictions on third-party hard drives. While you’ll still be able to use non-Synology drives (like those from Seagate or WD), early reports suggest that certain features may be limited or disabled unless you’re using Synology-branded or Synology-certified drives. According to preliminary reporting (not yet officially confirmed by Synology), using third-party drives may restrict (i.e several news reports indicate this, but no official statement/confirmation yet):

• Creation of storage pools

• Access to health monitoring tools

• Volume-wide deduplication support

• Drive lifespan analysis

• Automatic firmware updates

• Access to official Synology support

Older NAS models (up to and including 2024, excluding XS+ and rackmount units) are not affected. Drive migration from existing systems to new ones should remain possible — but full functionality may require Synology drives.

Source – HERE (or click below)

What are the proposed limitations of using third-party hard drives in the Synology 2025 lineup?

Although the brand themselves, at the time of writing, has not officially stated that devices after the 2025 series will only support their drives, sources highlighted on numerous news outlets have detailed that a number of key storage features and functionality are going to be limited. These include health monitoring tools, deduplication features built into DSM, official support from the brand in some cases, and (most worrying of all if it’s true) storage pool support. I’m still waiting for further clarification if this storage pool support limitation to first-party drives is only referring to the use of M.2 NVMEs in storage pools (something we are already aware of from the 2023 series), or whether people are not going to be able to use third-party hard drives in storage pools moving forward in 2025 series releases. But it would seemingly very much indicate the latter. It’s also worth highlighting that this limitation seems to be a ‘launch’ choice and may also mean that drives are granularly added to the supported pages as the likes of WD and Seagate submit compatibility reports. But the message seems to be that Synology themselves will not be the ones who verify the drive compatibility.

It should also be worth highlighting that users who have purchased devices before the 2025 lineup will not be currently affected by this change and will continue to have broader support of third-party hard drives, although even that has diminished since 2021–2022 as it stands. This does bring into question for some whether this broader policy is something that would be applied in a large-scale DSM update down the road, i.e. DSM 7.3 or DSM 8. For now, until we have an official statement from the brand or access to compatibility lists for the intended new products, we need to reserve our full judgement.

Why would Synology reduce compatibility with the majority of third-party hard drives (Seagate and WD)?

There are plenty of reasons why Synology would consider a move like this, for good and for bad. So in the interest of balance, let’s start positive. What are the good reasons why Synology would endeavour to only support the use of their own storage media in their systems?

• To a much smaller group, it allows them to tailor performance and system deployment expectations a great deal more realistically and could result in improved overall performance for all users, as it allows the development of future solutions to be significantly more targeted.
• If Synology solutions only support Synology drives, it allows the brand to be a great deal more effective at reducing the TCO of the system to buyers, as it will be an all-in-one party solution and even opens the door to the brand rolling out bundled systems that will further reduce the total cost of ownership.

• Export costs in the US — Synology centralising the full component list of their products to the end user can also allow them to better absorb any potential costs efficiently and hopefully pass those cost savings onto the consumer, reducing reservations on purchasing the product in light of potential price hikes.
• Support will be a great deal more specialised if end user deployments have fewer variables to consider, resulting in reduced support resolution times and potentially improved support services as an end result for all users.

Beyond the other potential benefits, they will be considering this proposition to drastically reduce third-party hard drive compatibility and utilisation in the 2025 lineup:

• In a word, profit. Having their own storage hard drives as the main — and potentially only — storage option alongside their systems will allow the brand to make profit vertically across the product deployment. For a long time, the brand was only really monetizing the core system itself, which is really only going to be replaced every 7 to 10 years for most users. Storage media, given the escalating growth rate of people’s data, will require a great deal more regular replacement.

• If Synology storage media is largely the only option to buyers, the brand has a greater degree of control over which products are available. So, for example, currently Synology has fewer different capacity tiers and drive variation tiers compared with other brands (i.e. 24TB drives, surveillance-optimized drives, M.2 NVMEs built for performance, etc.), so in some cases a user may have to opt for a larger capacity or a more enterprise-class drive when they might not need to.

• Eliminates smaller-scale purchases. This is a particularly cynical point of view, I know, but a move like this will almost certainly push value series devices significantly more towards the likes of the BeeStation (which are already pre-populated and fixed with Synology storage media) and away from the Plus series, as a divide begins to appear in terms of the overall total purchase price for many users. Alongside upselling their value series to that buyer tier, it will also move only more serious buyers towards the Plus series and higher from 2025 onwards.

All of the above reasoning towards why Synology would prioritise their own drives over that of third parties are my own points of view, but I do think there’s a ring of truth in some of them.7

What are the potential problems surrounding Synology’s push toward its own storage media over third-party drives?

There are several small issues that are worth highlighting in this broader plan of Synology hard drive prioritisation that we should probably touch on — and hopefully ones that Synology themselves will resolve quickly if this is something they’re going to push hard on. Such as:

• The brand inadvertently revealed earlier this year that they are working on a 6 x 2.5-inch SATA SSD system called the DS-625 Slim. However, the only 2.5-inch SATA SSD media the brand has are way too enterprise — the SAT5200 series — and would be like putting a Ferrari engine into a Ford Focus in terms of the disparity in the hardware being used and the price point!

• Synology has still yet to introduce higher-performing M.2 NVMe storage media, and although several of the new 2025 series of devices arrive with M.2 NVMe support, Synology’s own M.2 SSDs prioritise durability over performance. That is a good thing, but users who are not going to be able to use third-party SSDs for caching or storage pools face being restricted to much lower-performing SSDs in these bays.

• How will the system identify the use of third-party drives, and to what extent are these drives going to be limited? Although lots of details have been revealed in the news reports today, we’re still yet to see a full detailing from Synology themselves on an official platform.
• Surveillance utilisation. Synology has an impressive range of surveillance solutions in the NVR and DVA series, as well as support for Surveillance Station on the majority of their systems, but to date, the brand still does not have surveillance-optimised hard drives in its lineup. Surveillance-optimised hard drive media like WD Purple are designed to have much higher write performance leveraging rather than read, and surveillance drives are generally only accessed for a very small percentage of the time when in use. Will third-party drive limitations extend to these systems as well?

I’m still waiting on an official Synology response on this matter, as there have been early indications (such as the Synology DS925+ Amazon.co.uk link 2 days ago) that indicate some of these systems may be arriving in May 2025 — not that far away! So, until we have full and officially backed confirmation on this, still treat it with a grain of salt. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disheartened by this move by the brand, as although their software is still absolutely the king of the hill in the world of NAS, further restrictions on their more modest hardware to only use their own range of hard drives — versus that of more widely available, globally distributed, and industry veteran–backed drives — seems a very odd move, and one that I think a lot of home/prosumer/enthusiast/SMB users might take issue with.

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Pendant des années, j’ai utilisé des disques durs externes pour sauvegarder mes fichiers. C’était simple et pratique, mais il y avait de nombreuses limites : manque d’accès à distance, partage compliqué et sécurité fragile. C’est alors que j’ai découvert les NAS. Si vous vous demandez quelle solution est faite pour vous, laissez-moi vous expliquer pourquoi un NAS va révolutionner votre gestion des données et offrir bien plus qu’un simple espace de stockage.

Disque dur externe : simple, mais limité

Le disque dur externe est souvent le premier choix pour ceux qui cherchent une solution rapide et économique pour stocker des fichiers. C’est ce que j’ai fait pendant de nombreuses années. Il suffit de le brancher à son ordinateur pour transférer les données, ce qui le rend accessible même aux plus novices d’entre nous.

Cependant, cette simplicité a ses limites :

• Capacité fixe : Une fois le disque plein, il faut en acheter un autre ;
• Pas d’accès à distance : Vous devez connecter physiquement le disque pour accéder aux données ;
• Partage limité : Il est difficile de partager des fichiers avec d’autres utilisateurs simultanément ;
• Retrouver ses données : Sur quel disque sont les fichiers ? Suis-je sûr de travailler sur la dernière version ?
• Sécurité fragile : Les disques externes sont vulnérables aux pannes matérielles, aux pertes ou aux vols.

Pour un usage occasionnel ou pour transporter des fichiers d’un appareil à un autre, le disque dur externe reste une option valable. Mais dès que vos besoins deviennent plus complexes, ses limites se font rapidement sentir.

NAS : bien plus que du stockage

Le NAS est une solution de stockage connectée au réseau. Contrairement au disque dur externe, il ne se limite pas à une simple fonction de sauvegarde. Voici pourquoi il pourrait transformer votre gestion des données au quotidien :

1. Un stockage centralisé et accessible partout

Avec un NAS, tous vos fichiers sont stockés en un seul endroit et accessibles depuis n’importe quel appareil connecté au réseau (ordinateur, téléphone, tablette, TV). Mieux encore, grâce à l’accès à distance, vous pouvez consulter vos données où que vous soyez dans le monde.

2. Une capacité évolutive

Les NAS permettent d’ajouter ou de remplacer des disques durs pour augmenter leur capacité. Vous pouvez également configurer du RAID pour protéger vos données contre les pannes matérielles.

3. Automatisation des sauvegardes

Un NAS peut automatiser la sauvegarde de vos appareils grâce à des logiciels dédiés. Vous n’avez plus besoin de penser à copier manuellement vos fichiers.

4. Des fonctionnalités avancées

Un NAS ne se limite pas au stockage :

• Hébergez votre propre serveur multimédia (avec Plex ou Jellyfin) pour diffuser vos films et votre musique ;
• Installez des applications comme Nextcloud pour remplacer les services Cloud traditionnels ;
• Utilisez-le comme serveur de sauvegarde pour vos photos, vidéos ou documents sensibles.

5. Une sécurité renforcée

Contrairement aux disques externes qui peuvent être facilement perdus ou endommagés, les NAS offrent des options comme le chiffrement des données, la gestion des utilisateurs et des mots de passe robustes. De nombreux modèles incluent même des sauvegardes automatiques vers le Cloud pour une sécurité supplémentaire.

6. Auto-hébergement

Un autre avantage majeur, c’est leur capacité à supporter l’autohébergement d’applications ou de sites web. Avec Docker par exemple, vous pouvez déployer facilement des applications dans des conteneurs isolés. Par exemple, vous pouvez héberger un gestionnaire de mots de passe, un bloqueur de publicités pour tous vos appareils ou même un site Web directement sur votre NAS.

Comparatif des meilleurs NAS du marché

NAS vs disque dur externe : lequel choisir ?

Le choix entre un NAS et un disque dur externe dépend principalement de vos besoins :

Si vous avez simplement besoin d’un espace temporaire ou facile à transporter, un disque dur externe fera l’affaire. En revanche, si vous recherchez une solution durable, sécurisée et polyvalente pour gérer vos données (sauvegardes automatiques, partage familial ou professionnel), le NAS est clairement la meilleure option.

En synthèse

Un NAS représente un investissement initial plus important que celui d’un disque dur externe, mais ses avantages en font une solution incontournable pour ceux qui souhaitent gérer leurs données efficacement. Que vous soyez un particulier souhaitant centraliser ses fichiers multimédias ou une petite entreprise cherchant à sécuriser ses documents sensibles, un NAS répondra à vos besoins avec flexibilité et performance.

The Synology DS925+ NAS is (STILL) Coming..and Soon

It is fast becoming the worst-kept secret in the world of network-attached storage, but Synology’s continued plans to launch refreshes of a number of their popular desktop devices received another public outing this weekend, when keen users on Reddit spotted the official pages for the Synology DS925+ and DX525 on Amazon.co.uk, listing hardware specifications, pricing, release dates, and general background info. Although the appearance of the DS925+ isn’t exactly surprising—given the large info drop semi-officially revealed at an official event by a user on Chiphell—it is nonetheless surprising to see these two official Synology products seemingly added by Synology themselves for Amazon distribution, yet with absolutely zero mention on the traditional Synology platforms (Synology Products, Synology Downloads, Synology Download Registry, etc). Nonetheless, this appearance has confirmed numerous details about the DS925+ hardware specifications, for good and for bad, so I wanted to go through the further confirmed specifications and what they mean.

Synology DS925+ NAS Confirmed Hardware Specifications

As previously alluded to last month in the previous leak, the Synology DS925+ will arrive with the already integrated CPU from AMD that featured on previous SMB releases—the V1500B. This is a quad-core CPU that allows for more cores, more threads (i.e. more vCPUs) than the R1600 in the DS923+, as well as a lower TDP—though also a lower total clock speed available at first. It arrives with 4GB of ECC memory that can be scaled up to 32GB via two SODIMM DDR4 slots. DS925+ includes 2 × 2.5GbE, a very welcome if somewhat overdue upgrade on this product series from Synology. The SSD compatibility for storage pools and the speed allocated to each slot is still TBC. The expansion capabilities of the DS925+ have changed from the long-running eSATA support and DX517 of older Synology devices and now lean towards popular USB-C, and this is what triggered the new DX525 expansion box. We are still awaiting confirmation of the confirmed speed of this USB-C port, as well as its broader compatibility for other things (given the larger variety of USB-C options available in the market compared with eSATA), but slides shown at the Synology partner event last month seemingly indicated that this will NOT be USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps.

Probably the biggest and most controversial change here in the newer generation box is the removal of the mini PCIe upgrade slot that featured on the DS923+. The new DS925+ completely lacks this ability to scale up to 10GbE later down the line, which is probably going to upset a lot of users. PCIe modules they have sold (which would greatly explain, perhaps, the motivation for removing this feature), it is still something of a blow that this new generation device has removed a particularly appealing network upgrade path option. The motivation for this could be theoretically for multiple reasons, such as:

• Synology might well have deemed the two-times 2.5GbE network connectivity on the DS925+ sufficient for the four drives of SATA storage that it features, as well as ensuring that the system does not overlap other devices higher in the product portfolio food chain too much.
• The PCIe line distribution of this CPU and the chipset used on this board might result in limitations to the distribution of those lanes and therefore made the upgrade difficult to implement.
• The USB-C port for expansions may support a 10GbE upgrade module down the line that Synology intend on rolling out—a bit of a long shot though, as currently USB-C to 10GbE is only afforded to TB3/TB4/USB4 connectivity and would commit a great deal of internal lane distribution to that port to accommodate this potential upgrade.
• As previously alluded to, perhaps user integration of this upgrade slot on previous DS923+ devices was too low to justify accommodating this feature in the newest iteration.

Any of those reasons, or others, might well be why Synology decided to rescind this feature on this device. Nevertheless, it is something of a bitter pill that this device will not be featuring the ability to scale up out of the potential 5GbE bonded network connection that it arrives with and likely serves as a slight bottleneck to more high-performance hard drives in the SATA bays, as well as a significant cap on using SATA SSDs or M.2 NVMes in storage pools via the provided slots.

The AMD Ryzen R1600 and V1500B are both embedded CPUs used across Synology’s NAS lineup, but they serve distinct roles depending on the target user and workload. The R1600 is a dual-core, four-thread processor with higher clock speeds (2.6GHz base / 3.1GHz boost), making it ideal for environments that prioritize single-threaded performance—such as general file sharing, light server tasks, and basic backup operations. It has a TDP of 25W and is commonly found in more entry-level to mid-range Synology NAS models like the DS723+ and DS923+. By contrast, the V1500B is a quad-core, eight-thread CPU running at a lower base clock of 2.2GHz, but it delivers greater efficiency and significantly better multi-threading performance—essential for virtual machines, Docker containers, multiple user sessions, and parallel workflows. Its lower TDP of 16W also makes it a more efficient option for always-on deployments in business settings.

CPU Comparison: AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B vs R1600

What makes the V1500B particularly notable in the DS925+ is that this CPU was previously reserved for Synology’s larger SMB and enterprise-tier systems, such as the DS1621+, DS1821+, and DS2422+. By introducing it into a prosumer-class 4-bay NAS, Synology is clearly continuing its long-standing trend of moving mature hardware platforms down into lower product tiers over time, as the cost of components becomes more accessible and manufacturing scales improve. This strategy enables Synology to offer higher-tier performance at mid-tier price points, effectively refreshing their product range while maintaining price consistency. For users who prioritize multi-tasking, virtualized workloads, or long-term scalability, the arrival of the V1500B in the DS925+ marks a significant shift in capability for this tier of NAS.

Want to Understand How Synology NAS Product Refreshes Work, as well as Why Synology Chooses Certain Hardware? Read my article below:

Synology DS925+ NAS HDD and SSD Compatibility?

Unfortunately, there is no mention of Synology’s position on third-party hard drive and SSD compatibility on the new DS925+ confirmed yet. Realistically, basing it on the predecessor and other Synology Plus Series devices, at the very least, we’re going to see a repeat of the priority towards Synology’s own series of hard drives and SSDs, with a handful of third-party drives from Seagate, Western Digital, and Toshiba added to the support list. This has now become the status quo with the majority of Synology Plus Series and above devices, and if this device rolls out with that, I’m not going to say that it’s perfect, but at the very least it does still leave a narrow window open for users to use third-party hard drives without the system spitting alerts or amber warnings at you during setup.

As the system is being listed on the Amazon pages without drives included, that at the very least removes the concern of many that Synology may have been proceeding down the pre-populated system route, or being more rigid on the lock-in of the drives you can use on the system. Nevertheless, there is still the matter of the M.2 NVMe slots and whether this system will continue with the policy of third-party drives only being supported for use as caching, whereas Synology’s own M.2 NVMe drives support both caching and storage pools. It will most certainly continue with this position.

Synology DS925+ NAS Price and Release Date?

As originally predicted last month, the pricing of the DS925+ will be largely the same as that of the DS923+, as Synology is always keen to maintain the pricing at each tier of its portfolio year on year—even if sometimes that can result in the hardware being a little more lean despite the cost of components going up. I kind of respect how long Synology has been able to maintain the same price for their prosumer 4-bay device, right? All the way back since 2015, it has always arrived at that similar £550 price. Keep in mind that the price listed on the early leaked Amazon.co.uk page includes VAT, whereas pricing listed in other countries like the U.S. will likely not include tax.

With regards to the intended release date and availability of the DS925+, the Amazon leak page appears to indicate the 7th of May. Now, whether this has always been the plan by the brand when refreshing all of its currently existing product line, or it is a launch date that has been changed rapidly in light of discussions surrounding tariffs and stock travelling around the world, is yet to be confirmed. Nevertheless, that seems like a fairly reasonable launch date in light of the information—originally appearing online with the product page added to Amazon on April 8th—and the slow but steady gear Synology goes through when making a product live across traditional online retailers. You can use the links below to monitor the availability and price of the Synology DS925+ on Amazon, as it will redirect to your own region via the link. Anything purchased via these links will result in a small commission to me (Robbie) and Eddie at NASCompares, which really helps us keep doing what we do.

Synology DS923+ vs DS925+ NAS – Buy Now or Wait?

When comparing the Synology DS923+ and DS925+, the differences are subtle but important depending on your priorities. Both NAS units share the same price point, run Synology’s DSM software with identical features, and include the same baseline 4GB DDR4 ECC memory (expandable up to 32GB). They also both lack integrated graphics, feature four SATA drive bays, and offer two M.2 NVMe Gen 3 slots for SSD caching. However, the DS925+ gains an edge in raw parallel processing power, featuring a quad-core, eight-thread AMD V1500B CPU, which translates to more virtual CPUs (vCPUs) for virtual machines and containerized applications. It also benefits from dual 2.5GbE ports, enabling up to 5GbE performance with Link Aggregation or SMB Multichannel, compared to the 2x 1GbE ports on the DS923+, which top out at 2GbE combined. Additionally, the DS925+ offers a faster expansion interface via USB-C (6Gbps) versus the older eSATA (5Gbps) on the DS923+.

That said, the DS923+ still holds certain advantages. Its AMD R1600 CPU features a higher clock speed, which may offer better single-threaded performance in lighter tasks or low-concurrency applications. Crucially, the DS923+ supports an optional 10GbE upgrade via its mini PCIe slot, a feature completely removed in the DS925+, which could be a deal-breaker for users planning to grow into a higher-speed networking environment. So, should users buy the DS923+ now or wait for the DS925+? If 10GbE upgradeability or faster per-core performance is important for your workload, the DS923+ is still a strong option. However, if you’re prioritizing multi-threaded performance, better default network speeds, and a more modern expansion standard, the DS925+ is the more forward-looking choice—particularly for virtualization and container-heavy environments. Ultimately, both devices serve the same class of user, but choosing the right one depends on whether your focus is scalability or efficiency out of the box.

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

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If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

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ZimaOS est une distribution Linux basée sur Debian, conçue pour simplifier l’auto-hébergement tout en offrant des fonctionnalités avancées pour les NAS. Elle s’installe en quelques minutes et ne nécessite quasiment aucune intervention humaine pendant l’installation. Ce qui rend ZimaOS unique, c’est son intégration native avec CasaOS. Cependant, ZimaOS ne se limite pas à cette seule fonctionnalité : elle élargit considérablement les possibilités offertes…

CasaOS : Une solution d’auto-hébergement simplifiée

CasaOS est une plateforme qui facilite l’auto-hébergement grâce à une interface élégante et conviviale. Elle permet aux utilisateurs de déployer des applications en quelques clics et de gérer leur espace de stockage avec une grande simplicité. Cependant, CasaOS présente certaines limitations importantes :

• Ce n’est pas un système d’exploitation : CasaOS doit être installé sur un OS existant, ce qui peut compliquer sa mise en œuvre pour certains utilisateurs ;
• Absence de gestion RAID : C’est un point critique pour ceux qui souhaitent utiliser CasaOS sur un NAS ;
• Pas de virtualisation : CasaOS ne permet pas de créer ou gérer des machines virtuelles, ce qui limite son potentiel pour les utilisateurs avancés.

C’est là qu’entre en scène ZimaOS…

ZimaOS vient corriger ces absences

ZimaOS est une distribution atypique à bien des égards. Tout d’abord, elle s’installe facilement sans intervention (tout est entièrement automatisé), si ce n’est le choix du disque d’installation. Le système se configure automatiquement en fonction du matériel détecté. Une fois l’opération terminée et le système redémarré, ZimaOS et CasaOS sont prêts à l’emploi !

Les fonctionnalités clés de ZimaOS :

• Gestion du RAID : Il prend en charge plusieurs modes RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1 et RAID 5) dès l’installation.
• Optimisation de CasaOS : ZimaOS intègre CasaOS comme plateforme centrale d’auto-hébergement, avec un espace de stockage accessible par défaut via le réseau local.
• Virtualisation intégrée : ZimaOS peut exécuter des machines virtuelles, offrant ainsi la possibilité de lancer un système Windows ou Linux directement depuis l’interface Web.
• Applications multiplateformes : L’équipe derrière ZimaOS propose également des applications compatibles avec Windows et macOS pour gérer votre système (et sauvegarde votre ordinateur en Beta). De plus, des applications mobiles devraient arriver prochainement pour iOS et Android.

J’aurais pu citer également la prise en charge du Thunderbolt 4, les sauvegardes automatiques, l’accès à distance, etc.

Alors, tout n’est pas rose avec ZimaOS. Certains modes RAID sont encore absents. Les machines virtuelles, bien que fonctionnelles, ne disposent pas encore de système de sauvegarde ou d’import-export. Je ne parle même pas de la possibilité de chiffrer (encrypter) les données.

En synthèse

ZimaOS représente une alternative intéressante dans le domaine des distributions Linux dédiées à l’autohébergement et aux NAS DIY. En combinant la simplicité de CasaOS avec des fonctionnalités essentielles, telles que la gestion RAID et la virtualisation, elle offre une solution adaptée aux besoins du quotidien. Cependant, il reste quelques améliorations à apporter, notamment au niveau du support RAID, des outils pour les sauvegardes ou encore la gestion des machines virtuelles.

Pour découvrir davantage sur ZimaOS ou contribuer au projet open source, rendez-vous sur la page officiel GitHub.

Zettlab D6 AI NAS Prototype Review – A Glimpse at the Future of Local AI NAS?

The Zettlab D6 represents a compelling entry into the increasingly competitive world of AI-integrated network-attached storage. Developed by a relatively new player in the market, Zettlab is attempting to blend traditional NAS functionality with localized artificial intelligence features, positioning its devices as intelligent storage hubs capable of far more than simple file serving or backups. It’s important to emphasize from the outset that the Zettlab D6 — and its siblings in the D4, D6 Ultra, and D8 Ultra series — are still under development, with the company preparing to launch these systems via crowdfunding rather than established retail channels. This distinction is not trivial: what we’re looking at here is a prototype, an early production model meant to demonstrate core functionality, not a finalized consumer-ready product. As such, this review assesses both the current capabilities and the projected potential, while keeping in mind the expected evolutions that may come post-launch.

This review is based on a pre-release prototype of the Zettlab D6, supplied ahead of the official crowdfunding campaign. While the unit demonstrated strong hardware build quality and successfully showcased many of the local AI features promoted by the brand, it’s important to note that this version may not fully reflect the final product that backers will receive. As development continues, both software and functionality are expected to evolve. A follow-up video will be produced closer to the end of the crowdfunding campaign to reassess the system, evaluate any updates, and determine how closely the final release aligns with early expectations.

BUILD QUALITY - 8/10

HARDWARE - 8/10

PERFORMANCE - 6/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 9/10

8.0

PROS

Real local AI processing (image recognition, OCR, transcription, semantic search) works without internet access on the D6.
Intuitive natural language commands for system control (e.g., adjust fan speed, create users, reboot) via built-in AI chat. But still very early days...
Excellent LCD display provides real-time system stats (CPU, RAM, IP, disk status) — rare at this price point.
Fast and responsive UI with good UX; even advanced features like RAID setup and AI search feel snappy and polished, if a little feature lite at this development stage
One-click SD card backup with programmable automation tasks (copy, transcode, eject) — ideal for photographers and creators.
Unique design and solid build quality
Fully populated app center, thanks to the community, ready packaged container deployment at 1 click
Clear product segmentation between D6 and Ultra models (better AI support, faster connectivity, PCIe expansion), allowing users to scale as needed - but could be clearer about the need for an included 1-click local AI client model on the client app requirements.

CONS

Not final software — many features are still in beta or marked “coming soon,” including VM hosting and first-party AI enhancements.
Partial dependency on desktop client for advanced AI functions (like document chat and LLM integration) on the D6 model.
Crowdfunding risks — as a pre-release, crowdfunded device, the final user experience may differ from the reviewed prototype.

Zettlab D6 AI NAS – Hardware Design

Positioned as a mid-tier offering in the range, the D6 occupies a unique spot in Zettlab’s portfolio. It’s more powerful than the compact 4-bay D4, but stops short of the considerable hardware resources found in the D6 Ultra and D8 Ultra. At the heart of the D6 lies the Rockchip RK3588, an ARM-based SoC (System on Chip) that features eight processing cores and an integrated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) capable of six trillion operations per second (6 TOPS).

This chip has become a popular choice for AI-at-the-edge applications due to its low power draw, reasonable performance, and growing developer ecosystem. Complementing the CPU is 16GB of LPDDR4x memory — soldered to the board and non-upgradable — which is ample for many NAS workloads but may bottleneck under high AI load or virtualization. Storage-wise, the system includes six SATA drive bays and a single M.2 NVMe slot for SSD caching or high-speed application hosting. The OS resides on a 32GB eMMC module, which, while functional, is slower and less durable than SSD alternatives found in higher-tier models.

By contrast, the Ultra-class models — the D6 Ultra and D8 Ultra — are built around x86 architecture, using Intel’s Core Ultra 5 125H processor. This CPU offers a dramatic leap in compute potential, with 14 cores (combining performance and efficiency cores), 18 threads, and an integrated AI engine capable of 34 TOPS. These devices support up to 96GB of DDR5 memory via SODIMM slots and include dual PCIe Gen 4 M.2 NVMe slots for storage or app caching. So, an important thing that potential buyers of the standard D4 and D4 model need to note is that this system arrives with ‘on board’ memory, not ‘SODIMM’. This is not uncommon on more ‘efficient’ CPU-powered systems, but AI processes can get really memory hungry and that fixed 16GB, although good to have ‘out the gate’ could potentially serve as a low glass ceiling for heavier ops later on.

They also ship with a 256GB SSD for the operating system, eliminating the limitations of eMMC entirely. The D6 Ultra provides six drive bays like its ARM counterpart, while the D8 Ultra expands to eight, catering to users with higher storage demands.

Network interfaces also scale accordingly, with dual 10GbE ports on the Ultra devices, significantly improving throughput for AI workloads or media editing environments. This clear segmentation allows Zettlab to cater to both entry-level users and more demanding professional or prosumer environments.

Although the D6 is not as performance-heavy as the Ultra models, it still delivers a surprisingly mature and distinctive hardware design — especially for a product from a startup brand. Visually, the D6 breaks from the mold of black-box NAS devices with a more industrial design language. The drive trays are notably robust, offering support for both 3.5” and 2.5” drives without the need for tools, and include subtle shock absorption to reduce wear during hot-swaps. Behind the trays, a SATA backplane keeps cabling clean and ensures good airflow, aided by a rear-mounted fan.

The chassis is largely steel and aluminum, with solid build quality across panels and connectors. The front panel features a real-time 3.49-inch LCD display — one of the best I’ve seen in this price range — capable of showing system temperature, CPU and memory utilization, storage status, and network throughput.

This is complemented by an LED lighting strip and a programmable hardware copy button, as well as a comprehensive set of front ports including a USB-C and USB-A port (both USB 3.2 Gen 1), SD3.0 and SD4.0 card readers, and a TF card slot.

Connectivity on the D6’s rear I/O is functional, if modest by today’s standards. It includes one standard Gigabit Ethernet port and one 2.5GbE port — which, while useful for small workgroups or home streaming setups, may limit its viability in higher bandwidth environments.

USB 2.0 ports are also present, mainly for legacy peripherals or UPS/KVM support. There is a single HDMI 2.0 port capable of 4K output at 60Hz, which opens the door for potential direct media playback or GUI access, though its use cases are still undefined in the current firmware.

Notably missing is any PCIe expansion capability — a feature reserved for the Ultra models via their SFF-8654 Gen4 x8 connector. This omission makes sense in the product segmentation strategy, but prospective users who anticipate needing expansion — whether for faster networking, GPU acceleration, or additional storage — will need to look to the higher-tier models.

Still, for what it is, the D6 offers a complete and well-assembled foundation, and the early signs in terms of temperature control, acoustics, and system stability are encouraging.

Zettlab D6 – Software and Services Review

Before we get into exactly what this system can and cannot do, I need to highlight that the D6 prototype I received does not feel like a finished product yet. I have been monitoring this brand and it’s solution for 6 months (even having a different prototype sent to me as fast back as October 2024) and although I have seen ALOT of changes and improvements in the GUI, the software features, storage optimization, performance and consistency – the Zettlab OS does not feel finished yet.

The hardware feels robust and ready to go! But the software still feels like development is ongoing. This makes a lot of sense in the context of crowdfunding a product and I can appreciate that the brand needs real world feedback and development time. However, that does mean that reviewing the software is tough! As I have to balance what the system does TODAY against what the brand says it will be able to do TOMORROW. So keep that in mind as you read this software review.

One of the standout ambitions behind the Zettlab D6 is its integration of localized artificial intelligence. While most consumer NAS systems limit themselves to media management and basic data organization, Zettlab’s vision goes much further: a platform that applies real-time AI processing to images, audio, video, and documents — all without relying on cloud services.

This pitch is especially appealing in a world where data privacy is an increasing concern. In practice, the D6 delivers some truly novel capabilities, although it’s important to remember this software is still in active development. Not all features are complete, and the performance and behavior of certain AI tools are still subject to change.

The D6 runs on ZettOS, a proprietary operating system built around containerized apps, lightweight AI inference engines, and standard NAS functions.

ZettOS resembles a more refined version of a web-based Linux desktop, complete with user management, storage setup, application deployment, network configuration, and protocol support (SMB, FTP, WebDAV, etc.).

While the core system functions well, it’s the AI layer where things begin to differentiate the D6. ZettOS offers native support for facial recognition, object detection, OCR, and natural language search — all running directly on the device.

Image tagging, semantic queries like “men standing near trees,” and auto-transcription of audio and video files are examples of what’s already functional today.

One of the more impressive capabilities is real-time media classification. Photos added to the NAS — whether uploaded manually, copied via SD card, or moved over the network — are immediately scanned and indexed. Users can search for visual content by descriptive terms rather than filenames. For example, searching for “cats,” “dice,” or “flowers” surfaces content accurately, regardless of how files were named.

This indexing happens locally and often within seconds of upload, leveraging the RK3588’s integrated NPU. Similarly, when audio or video files are uploaded to designated folders, the system automatically transcribes them using onboard tools. The Clip application handles this, and within moments, transcripts appear with speaker identification and time-linked navigation.

The AI features are tied to a broader system of prompts and shortcuts. A dedicated “AI Chat” interface allows users to type commands like “increase fan speed,” “reboot the system,” or “create a new user.” Many of these commands work today and are executed promptly, showing promise for a more natural interface between user and NAS.

While it’s far from full AI orchestration, the groundwork is clearly there. The system also supports basic automation — for example, auto-import tasks triggered when an SD card is inserted can move, rename, or transcode files and even safely eject the card afterward. These are practical, time-saving tools that go beyond novelty.

ZettOS includes a growing App Center with one-click deployments of popular open-source tools like Jellyfin, Nextcloud, Image, and Home Assistant. Apps are containerized and installed quickly, with port forwarding handled automatically. While this is becoming common among modern NAS platforms, ZettOS executes it cleanly and without needing user intervention.

Some proprietary applications, such as Creator Studio and virtual machine hosting, are marked “coming soon” in the current builds, with roadmap estimates targeting mid-2025. It’s clear that while ZettOS is already usable, it is also a work in progress.

Notably, the AI document analysis and generative chat features currently require the desktop companion app for full functionality on the D6 model, with a locally downloaded AI model (1 click from the client software install, but still, this could be clearer in the online documentation!).

While the basic indexing and media analysis are handled on-device, more advanced interactions such as querying large document sets or generating context-specific answers appear to rely on the Windows or Mac client.

This distinction is critical: the more powerful Ultra models promise full offline AI, while the standard D6 offloads some computation. Transparency about how much AI is truly local versus partially remote will be key for user trust going forward.

Zettlab D6 Prototype Review – Conclusion and Verdict

Overall, the Zettlab D6 offers one of the most advanced AI software stacks seen in a consumer NAS at this level — even in its unfinished state. With real-time image recognition, semantic search, speech-to-text transcription, natural language controls, and media classification, it exceeds what many larger NAS brands have offered to date. There are still rough edges, missing features, and questions about long-term support, but what’s already functional is impressive. For early adopters and tinkerers, this is a promising glimpse of what local AI NAS could become. For others, it may be worth waiting to see how ZettOS matures over the next development cycle.

Important – This review is based on a pre-release prototype of the Zettlab D6, supplied ahead of the official crowdfunding campaign. While the unit demonstrated strong hardware build quality and successfully showcased many of the local AI features promoted by the brand, it’s important to note that this version may not fully reflect the final product that backers will receive. As development continues, both software and functionality are expected to evolve. A follow-up video will be produced closer to the end of the crowdfunding campaign to reassess the system, evaluate any updates, and determine how closely the final release aligns with early expectations.

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The U.S. Tariffs and Their Looming Impact on NAS and Storage Tech

The United States has recently announced a sweeping set of import tariffs on goods from nearly every major trading partner in the world. This policy shift, driven largely by the country’s growing trade deficits with nations like China, the European Union, Vietnam, and others, imposes additional fees ranging from 15% to 50% on products entering the U.S. The implications go far beyond international politics—they’re about to hit consumers directly, especially in the realm of network-attached storage (NAS), data drives, and related IT infrastructure. For businesses and tech enthusiasts alike, this could drastically reshape buying decisions and the way storage technology is sourced and maintained in the years ahead.

Most NAS brands, regardless of their international reputation or market share, are headquartered—and more importantly, manufactured—outside the United States. While brands like Synology, QNAP, TerraMaster, and Asustor dominate the global NAS market, they are based in Taiwan and China—countries now subject to tariffs as high as 46%. Even U.S.-founded companies aren’t immune; Seagate and Western Digital, for instance, produce the bulk of their drives in Thailand, Malaysia, and other tariff-affected countries. Likewise, 45Drives, a Canadian company with a strong presence in the U.S. market, assembles its products in Nova Scotia. This global web of production means almost no storage brand will emerge from this tariff structure unscathed.

However, it’s not just the tariffs themselves that are concerning—it’s the uncertainty they create in the supply chain. Distributors, wholesalers, and resellers operate on tight margins and forecasting models. With the risk of sudden pricing hikes or shifts in demand, many are likely to reduce inventory levels rather than gamble on unstable costs. If distributors begin ordering fewer units or delaying shipments while waiting for clarity, that can result in long-term effects on availability down the chain. For consumers and IT professionals, this may translate into fewer options, slower shipping times, and inconsistent stock at retailers, especially for higher-end or business-class hardware.

This reduction in stock won’t be immediately obvious but will likely manifest in 3 to 6 months as upstream inventory runs out. Unlike the global chip shortages of previous years—which were driven by raw material scarcity and manufacturing delays—this looming shortage will stem from financial caution and policy volatility. Retailers might maintain listings but hold little-to-no actual stock, while lead times on specialized or enterprise-grade NAS solutions could stretch uncomfortably long. Resellers will be hesitant to overstock and risk capital loss, creating an environment where supply is bottlenecked before it even hits the storefront.

Another critical layer is the manufacturing cost ripple effect. Even products partially or fully assembled in the U.S. will see increased base costs if their components—be it PCBs, chips, enclosures, or storage platters—originate from affected countries. These costs are added long before the end product even appears on a website or in a store. What this means is that even before the tariff surcharge is applied to the final product, the wholesale cost has already been inflated. Once one manufacturer adjusts their pricing to reflect these new realities, competitors are likely to follow. The result will be a new pricing baseline that is unlikely to ever return to previous levels, even if some tariffs are eventually eased.

Some may hold out hope that this will prompt a new era of domestic manufacturing, particularly for brands looking to sidestep tariffs altogether. While this is a possibility, it’s far from an immediate solution. Setting up manufacturing in the U.S. involves immense logistical, financial, and regulatory challenges. Even if companies begin the process today, meaningful change is at least two to three years away. And critically, even if production is moved stateside, prices are unlikely to fall—once the market accepts a higher cost structure, manufacturers rarely roll back pricing, especially if demand remains strong. Historically, many brands have relied on international redistribution centers to navigate or lessen the impact of tax and tariff regimes. Countries like Singapore, Thailand, and the Netherlands have served as strategic re-export hubs, helping companies reduce costs and navigate trade restrictions. These setups have allowed goods to flow more freely into Western markets with minimal added expense. However, the comprehensiveness of the new U.S. tariff list is expected to close many of these loopholes. As more countries are swept into the tariff net, fewer workarounds remain viable, which means both gray market and authorized resellers will struggle to avoid passing costs along to the buyer.

This brings us to the practical question: should consumers and businesses buy their NAS systems now or wait? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, those who anticipate needing storage solutions in the next three to six months may be better off acting sooner. The intersection of declining stock availability, rising manufacturing costs, and pending tariff implementation could create a narrow window where current prices and availability are the best we’ll see for a while. Delaying too long risks not only paying more but facing potential wait times for critical systems. That said, users with stable systems and strong backup routines may prefer to ride out the uncertainty, at least temporarily. Ultimately, the storage industry—like much of the tech sector—is facing a period of turbulence. Boardrooms across the globe are likely holding emergency meetings to re-evaluate supply chains, regional assembly strategies, and consumer pricing models. But without clear long-term policy direction, many companies will be hesitant to make bold changes, opting instead for a wait-and-see approach. For now, the best advice is to monitor inventory levels closely, stay informed about regional pricing trends, and—if you’re in the U.S.—think seriously about whether a short-term investment in your storage infrastructure might save you money and headaches down the line.

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Synology vient de mettre en ligne une nouvelle application en Beta : AI Console. Derrière ce nom se cache un outil conçu pour intégrer des services d’intelligence artificielle (IA) tiers dans ses applications maison. Actuellement, AI Console fonctionnne uniquement avec Synology MailPlus 3.4… mais devrait s’étendre à d’autres solutions prochainement. Découvrons ensemble ce nouveau paquet…

Synology AI Console

Voici ce que dit le fabricant Synology sur sa nouvelle application : « Synology AI Console est un outil de gestion qui permet aux administrateurs d’intégrer des IA tierces aux Synology NAS, augmentant la productivité dans les packages Synology pris en charge. Le package permet aux administrateurs de surveiller et de gérer les intégrations d’API AI, y compris l’accès, les fonctionnalités de désidentification et l’utilisation ».

Les principales fonctionnalités de la Synology AI Console sont :

• Intégration de services IA tiers : La console permet de connecter des services IA via des API (qui sont payantes) et pour le moment : Amazon Bedrock, Azure OpenAI, Baidu AI Cloud, Google AI Studio, Google Vertex AI et OpenAI.
• Gestion des autorisations et des limites : Les administrateurs peuvent configurer les permissions pour chaque application Synology et définir des limites pour chaque intégration API.
• Désidentification des données sensibles : Une fonctionnalité de masquage des données sensibles avant leur envoi aux fournisseurs de services IA, mais elle nécessite un NAS doté d’au moins 8 Go de mémoire.
• Surveillance et suivi : La console offre des journaux d’utilisation et d’administration pour un suivi détaillé des requêtes IA et de configuration.

Synology propose une interface soignée, fonctionnelle et complète.

Comme indiqué précédemment, seule la version Beta de Synology MailPlus peut en profiter de l’IA pour le moment. Il est d’ores et déjà possible de demander à l’IA de rédiger un e-mail, d’améliorer son contenu, de faire un résumer, de corriger les fautes, de traduire, etc.

Installation

L’installation de cette nouvelle application est assez simple. L’application Synology AI Console est disponible directement via le Centre de paquets de DSM, dans la section Paquets bêta.

Les NAS compatibles

La bonne nouvelle, c’est que de nombreux NAS sont compatibles avec ce nouveau paquet, y compris les modèles de 2016. Voici la liste complète fournie par Synology :

• FS-series: FS6400, FS3600, FS3410, FS3400, FS3017, FS2500, FS2017, FS1018
• HD-series: HD6500
• SA-series: SA6400, SA3610, SA3600, SA3410, SA3400D, SA3400, SA3200D
• 24-series: DS224+
• 23-series: RS2423RP+, RS2423+, DS1823xs+, DS923+, DS723+, DS423+
• 22-series: RS822RP+, RS822+, DS3622xs+, DS2422+, DS1522+, DVA1622
• 21-series: RS4021xs+, RS3621xs+, RS3621RPxs, RS2821RP+, RS2421RP+, RS2421+, RS1221RP+, RS1221+, DS1821+, DS1621xs+, DS1621+, DVA3221
• 20-series: RS820RP+, RS820+, DS1520+, DS920+, DS720+, DS620slim, DS420+, DS220+
• 19-series: RS1619xs+, RS1219+, DS2419+II, DS2419+, DS1819+, DS1019+, DVA3219
• 18-series: RS3618xs, RS2818RP+, RS2418RP+, RS2418+, RS818RP+, RS818+, DS3018xs, DS1618+, DS918+, DS718+, DS418play, DS218+
• 17-series: RS18017xs+, RS4017xs+, RS3617xs+, RS3617RPxs, RS3617xs, DS3617xsII, DS3617xs, DS1817+, DS1517+
• 16-series: RS18016xs+, RS2416RP+, RS2416+, DS916+, DS716+II, DS716+, DS416play, DS216+II, DS216+

En synthèse

Ce n’est pas la première application de Synology avec de l’intelligence artificielle, mais celle-ci marque une étape importante. Synology AI Console est une étape importante afin d’offrir des capacités d’IA dans les paquets du fabricant. Pour le moment, seule l’application MailPlus peut en profiter… mais on sait déjà que la suite Synology Office est la suivante. On a hâte !

Pour en savoir plus, vous pouvez vous rendre sur cette page…

Antidote 12 est un logiciel de correction de la société Druide informatique. Cette nouvelle version intègre de l’intelligence artificielle générative et des fonctionnalités avancées. En effet, l’outil se dote de nouvelles capacités qui promettent d’optimiser la qualité et la fluidité des textes écrits. Voici un tour d’horizon des nouveautés…

Antidote 12

Je ne l’ai jamais caché,  j’utilise l’outil Antidote depuis quelques années. Cet outil m’aide dans la correction de mes articles, à la recherche de fautes plus ou moins complexes. Il s’intègre facilement dans de nombreux logiciels. C’est certainement le plus puissant dans ce domaine.

Nouveautés

Antidote 12 introduit plusieurs améliorations comme :

• Mode Reformulation : Grâce à des modèles de langage avancés (LLM), ce mode permet de réécrire vos textes selon 5 approches différentes : Réécrire, Retoucher, Épicéniser (moi aussi j’ai dû faire une recherche), Modérer et Raccourcir…
• Correcteur surpuissant : Le moteur de correction basé sur des réseaux neuronaux détecte deux fois plus d’erreurs qu’auparavant, notamment en anglais
• Anti-Oops! amélioré : Cette technologie vérifie vos e-mails avant leur envoi, détecte les fautes potentielles et propose des reformulations pour éviter les malentendus
• Dictionnaires enrichis : Antidote 12 ajoute 3 200 nouveaux mots, ainsi que des informations approfondies sur les expressions idiomatiques et les différences linguistiques entre le français et l’anglais

Extension

L’extension Antidote Connector est un complément indispensable. Elle permet d’intégrer directement l’outil de correction (et les dictionnaires) dans votre navigateur Web préféré. Désormais, l’extension offre également la possibilité de corriger les textes en temps réel. Pour l’utiliser depuis quelques jours, c’est un gain de temps considérable !

Nouvelle tarification

L’éditeur a fait le choix de partir sur un modèle d’abonnement avec Antidote+. On aime (ou pas), c’est la tendance générale du marché. La transition avait commencé doucement avec la version précédente. En effet, il était encore possible de choisir entre une licence à vie (moyennant 119€) ou un système d’abonnement annuel. Avec Antidote 12, on passe à 59€/an pour un utilisateur ou 99€/an pour l’offre famille avec 5 utilisateurs.

Il est toujours possible d’utiliser Antidote 12 en local sur l’ordinateur, ou via Antidote Web directement en ligne, ainsi qu’Antidote Mobile (sur iPhone et iPad). Et les utilisateurs peuvent choisir, lors de l’installation, de travailler en français et/ou en anglais, selon leurs besoins linguistiques.

Visiting a NAS Production Facility in Shenzhen, China – The CWWK Factory and Office Tour

As part of a broader effort to explore the landscape of Chinese tech manufacturers, I recently visited the facilities of CWWK (ChangWang) in Shenzhen, China. CWWK is best known in enthusiast circles for producing NAS motherboards and compact computing solutions, often associated with budget-friendly, DIY network storage builds. My visit aimed to independently assess the scope and structure of their operations. What made this particular tour notable was the access I was granted: no NDAs were signed, there were no editorial restrictions placed on what I could film or ask, and I was permitted to record freely inside their production and R&D spaces.

This is uncommon, particularly in the tech hardware space, where many brands—especially in Asia—are typically guarded about internal processes, even when media are invited. The open format allowed for a more thorough and independent evaluation, without needing to speculate based on secondhand reports or promotional material.

It’s important to contextualize how the visit came about. CWWK did not arrange or sponsor my trip to China in any way. I was in the region for a series of self-funded visits to multiple tech companies, looking to gain a clearer understanding of how various hardware brands operate behind the scenes. The idea was to go beyond spec sheets and product listings and see what real infrastructure, if any, stood behind companies whose products are often marketed under many different brand names on platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, and Alibaba.

I reached out to CWWK on short notice—roughly 10 to 14 days prior—and they agreed to the visit. The fact that they were able to accommodate the tour with minimal lead time is worth noting. It doesn’t rule out the possibility of some presentation enhancements being made in preparation, but it does suggest that the company was not reliant on elaborate staging to present a working production environment.

The first location I visited was a mixed-use building that included administrative offices, logistics personnel, and access to part of the factory floor. Externally, the building bore no clear CWWK branding, which initially raised questions about ownership or exclusivity. Inside, however, the picture was more cohesive: staff wore uniforms bearing CWWK logos, and product runs on the factory floor featured motherboards that matched CWWK’s catalog.

While I wasn’t given lease documentation or corporate records, the volume of CWWK-branded activity suggested the company either occupies a substantial portion of the facility or has secured long-term, semi-exclusive use of the space. Several floors were accessible, and the presence of both production and support teams indicated that this was more than a satellite or temporary operation. Even so, it’s likely this building is part of a larger industrial complex shared with other tenants, which is common practice in Shenzhen’s manufacturing zones.

One of the key questions I brought to the visit concerned product design and IP ownership—specifically, whether CWWK truly engineers its own hardware or rebrands ODM (original design manufacturer) platforms that are available generically to other companies. In a formal meeting with several members of their team, facilitated by a translator, I was told that all motherboard designs are created in-house.

The company emphasized that while many of their designs do appear under other brand names, including through known resellers or system integrators, the core engineering and schematics originate from their internal teams. Some of these designs, they explained, are distributed under license or through contract manufacturing relationships.

While I wasn’t shown the full design pipeline or documentation for each SKU, I was given access to product schematics, test rigs, and development areas. Based on what I observed, it’s reasonable to conclude that CWWK controls the design process and that their platforms are later distributed—often without clear attribution—by partner companies.

Technical support and warranty policies are often ambiguous when it comes to imported tech from overseas sellers, so I took the opportunity to ask about their post-sales procedures. According to CWWK staff, customers who purchase through major e-commerce channels like AliExpress and Alibaba are serviced directly by the company’s internal support team. This contradicts the assumption that resellers handle all inquiries. They described a standard one-year warranty policy, during which defective products are repaired where feasible rather than replaced outright.

While this approach may not satisfy buyers expecting instant replacements, it aligns with broader industry trends aimed at reducing e-waste and extending hardware lifespans. I observed a dedicated support office where staff were responding to issues, many of which involved firmware or BIOS concerns. The responses to my questions were generally clear but did follow a templated structure, which made it difficult to determine how adaptable their support might be in complex cases.

Moving onto the factory floor, I was able to observe multiple stages of the production workflow. The environment combined automated processes—such as SMT (surface mount technology) component placement and soldering—with manual checkpoints, where staff would verify board integrity, inspect connector alignment, and move products between stations. The factory space showed signs of active use: floor scuffing, desk wear, and tooling marks suggested long-term operation rather than short-term setup.

Workers were equipped with anti-static wrist straps, and safety protocols appeared to be in place, though a few inconsistencies were observed. For instance, not all staff were wearing the full lab coats or coverings that I was required to wear as a visitor. While that’s not uncommon in similar facilities, it’s worth noting in the context of manufacturing discipline. Overall, the workflow followed a logical structure, and there were observable quality checks along the line, including one instance where a misaligned port was flagged and redirected for correction.

Direct interaction with factory personnel was limited, mainly due to language barriers and the guided nature of the tour. I attempted brief conversations, but most staff were focused on their tasks and understandably uninterested in lengthy exchanges with a foreign visitor.

I did not observe any signs of distress or visible overwork, but equally, I did not have enough time or context to draw firm conclusions about working conditions. The facility walls displayed motivational signage, some of which featured quite stern phrasing around responsibility and company reputation.

These types of messages—such as “Your mistakes are our mistakes”—may reflect common workplace culture in the region rather than specific managerial attitudes. In contrast, a separate building used for research and marketing featured more aspirational language. These environmental details may offer some insight into the tone and structure of the company, although they should be interpreted cautiously.

A portion of the facility was allocated to repairs and technical diagnostics. I observed several staff members actively responding to customer-reported issues and working on returned products. Desks were equipped with diagnostic tools and some BIOS interfaces were visible on screens.

In a nearby room, technicians were repairing or reworking boards—examples included reseating CPUs, correcting poorly soldered connectors, and inspecting DIMM slots.

Although the scale of this area was not massive (around six to eight desks), it indicated an operational RMA process. I did not assess how quickly repairs are processed or whether every return is examined manually, but the team appeared to be addressing real customer issues, not simply staging activity for the tour. Staff in this area were dressed more casually than the production line workers, likely due to the nature of their tasks involving pre-owned or defective components.

The second facility, located in the Beta Industrial Park, was clearly identified as a CWWK property. Unlike the first building, this one included prominent company branding, product showcases, and internal signage referencing CWWK’s development roadmap.

The upper floors were used by the R&D and marketing teams. In a dedicated product room, I was shown nearly every motherboard they’ve developed, including legacy models and upcoming releases. Several new boards were in early development, featuring high-density SATA fan-outs via SFF-8654 and NVMe expandability.

Designs ranged from micro-ITX to mATX, with plans to scale modularly using add-on cards for storage and connectivity. I also viewed design schematics and 3D renderings used to plan component layout and case compatibility. CWWK is working on 10GbE-capable models using newer Intel and AMD platforms, including boards with ECC memory support and USB4 integration. While I was not permitted to document everything in detail, the scope and clarity of the development process suggested an active, technically capable engineering team.

After spending a full day across both facilities, my overall impression of CWWK was that of a mid-sized but competent hardware developer with a growing international presence. While the first building’s exact ownership remains somewhat ambiguous, the second building was clearly operated and branded by CWWK, housing their product, development, and marketing teams. More significantly, based on my observations and the responses given, it is clear that CWWK designs and owns the intellectual property behind their motherboards.

There were also strong indications that they serve as an upstream supplier for other brands—likely including companies like Topton, MrRoute, and similar resellers often seen on Chinese e-commerce platforms. Whether these partners act as distributors, integrators, or white-label resellers wasn’t explicitly stated, but the relationship appears to exist.

CWWK is not a shell company or brand-only operation; it is a functioning developer and manufacturer of computing hardware with its own IP, infrastructure, and personnel. For buyers, this doesn’t automatically guarantee performance or support satisfaction, but it does lend some credibility and traceability to a product category often dominated by opaque supply chains and unbranded goods.

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Vous avez installé la dernière version de macOS, notamment pour profiter des fonctionnalités d’Apple Intelligence sur votre appareil compatible. Mais en lançant l’application Image Playground, vous êtes systématiquement confronté à ce message : « Photothèque non disponible – Ouvrez Photos pour utiliser Image Playground ». Le problème ? Une fois dans l’application Photos, aucun paramètre ne fait référence à Image Playground. Pas de menu caché, pas d’option dédiée. Pourtant, la solution s’y trouve bel et bien, mais elle n’est pas évidente à repérer.

Pourquoi ce message d’erreur ?

Après avoir exploré les forums et tenté plusieurs pistes, vous avez sans doute constaté que rien ne semble résoudre ce problème. Et pour cause : Apple se contente d’un message vague, vous invitant à ouvrir Photos sans autre précision.

Le vrai souci se situe dans la configuration de votre photothèque. Si vous utilisez plusieurs photothèques (notamment après une migration, un autre support, ou depuis NAS), il est probable qu’aucune n’ait été définie comme photothèque système. C’est précisément ce qui bloque Image Playground.

Solution

Voici la procédure simple pour débloquer la situation :

• Ouvrez l’application Photos
• Dans la barre de menus, cliquez sur Photos > Réglages…
• Rendez-vous dans l’onglet Général
• Dans la section Emplacement de la photothèque : puis cliquez sur Utiliser comme photothèque système

Une fois cette opération effectuée, la modification est immédiatement prise en compte. Vous pouvez fermer l’application Photos. Relancez.

Voilà, tout fonctionne correctement…

En résumé

Si Image Playground affiche le message « Photothèque non disponible », c’est probablement parce qu’aucune photothèque n’est définie comme photothèque système. Pour corriger cela, ouvrez l’application Photos, allez dans Photos > Réglages > Général, puis cliquez sur Utiliser comme photothèque système. Cette action permet à macOS de lier correctement Image Playground à votre photothèque. Relancez ensuite Image Playground : le problème est résolu.

Avec cette manipulation, Image Playground peut enfin accéder à votre photothèque. Les fonctionnalités d’Apple Intelligence deviennent pleinement opérationnelles.

The Best Travel Routers, SIM/LTE Routers and Gateway Devices I Have Ever Used

I think it would be fair to say that in 2025, unless you are travelling within your own country, chances are that you are definitely going to need some kind of internet connection in order to get around when travelling around the world. Unfortunately, the age when you could get by with an A to Z book and a handful of local phrases has long gone, and alongside the complexity of most cities growing exponentially, a lot of shops, restaurants and services are moving towards 3D barcode menus and digital-only point of sale resources. Add to that the enormous benefits of translation tools and Babel Fish-level communication services that are internet-assisted, and it’s almost impossible to imagine travelling around the world now without any kind of internet connection at all times. However, whether it is barriers from requiring a local phone number for authentication, or simply that you are going places without a reliable public Wi-Fi access point at your fingertips, many users have started hopefully relying on the use of portable routers, mobile access point devices and SIM card routers. In the last few years, I’ve travelled to numerous trade shows and public events around the world, and in that time required different kinds of mobile router device in order to get things done professionally. Sometimes I’ve needed a simple router that allows me to safely and securely use public Wi-Fi services in coffee shops and train stations. Other times I’ve needed a dedicated internet connection from a cell phone provider via SIM card to be available 24/7. Over the years, I’ve used numerous devices, good and bad, and to save you a lot of trouble, I’m going to go through the ones that I (and professional colleagues that I’ve met) have come to rely upon in their day-to-day professional travel. I will also include a router that has consistently let me and a number of my professional colleagues down on a regular basis, in order to help you avoid making the same mistake we did. Let’s go.

IMPORTANT – You Might Not Need a SIM Router!

Before I go any further, it’s worth highlighting that none of the physical travel routers that I recommend below have paid for this article, and all of the opinions provided are my own, those of my professional colleagues, and are based on years of genuine use together. I have included links to purchase these items, and doing so will result in a small commission that helps me keep doing what I do, but the brands themselves have no influence over the content of this article.

Using Airport Routers – Are They Safe?

It’s also worth mentioning that it has become increasingly common, especially in the East, for users to be able to rent travel routers with a dedicated cellular internet connection from a local airport. These can be incredibly affordable and very convenient, as they often eliminate the need for purchasing a whole router device for your travel. I have used these a couple of times when travelling to Hong Kong and Taipei, Taiwan, when I’ve needed to travel especially light and with only hand luggage. However, be aware that these do arrive with some caveats. Firstly, you will need to supply the vendor with a passport, documentation, as well as provide a deposit for security purposes. Secondly, be aware that the level of control that you have over your network will be extremely limited, and you will have zero admin control of the router. That means that not only can you not adapt the router in terms of quality and priority of service for different devices, but you cannot utilise an in-router VPN or be 100% certain that the data and passwords that pass through the router are not being collected in some way. I am not suggesting that all mobile router providers are inherently untrustworthy, I am simply saying that these options are limited, and I would only recommend them as short-term, ad hoc options at best.

You Might Not Need a Travel Router in Europe!

Last point, and this is mainly for Europeans but does also apply to some other regions of the world, in some cases, if you already have an existing cellular contract for your phone data, it may still be supported in the region you intend to visit. For example, even though the UK chose to leave the EU, there is still shared coverage of cellular providers across the majority of Europe, and your O2/EE/Vodafone data plan may well work in the majority of other European countries, still within your own data allowances. It is by no means a solid rule, but it is worth checking before you travel, as it may save you the need for a travel router at all.

GL.iNet Slate 7

Pros – Wi-Fi 7, dual-band, physical VPN switch, fully functional software, mobile app, physical RJ45 2.5GbE connections, touchscreen LCD, USB NAS storage sharing support, app centre, multiple VPN support, USB tethering, USB phone tethering.

Cons  Requires USB power, no SIM card slot, no eSIM support.

Currently, this is the newest addition to my travel kit when going anywhere in the world. Although it has only been physically present in my travel bag for a little over 6 weeks, I have known about this device for almost half a year, and GL.iNet made a lot of noise in their early development of the device and received a lot of early praise. Touted as one of, if not the first, Wi-Fi 7 travel routers, this device allows you to take advantage of bandwidth enhancements like Multi-Link Operation and faster data supported in Wi-Fi 7. Although it lacks support for the 6GHz band, it has still been an ever-reliable source of connectivity to me when I need to use public Wi-Fi services and I need to ensure that they are as secure as possible. GL.iNet has been in the business of making travel routers for a while, and indeed there is a second router mentioned later in this article, but even in the short time I’ve utilised this travel router, it has been something of a game changer when I need to travel light.

It features a touchscreen LCD that allows me to configure and connect on the go without the app, the open-source software allows me to use third-party applications, create storage shares with a USB, and it also supports multiple simultaneous internet connections for both failover and load balancing. That means that you can utilise a local USB-connected phone or dongle, connect to a third-party Wi-Fi connection, and even repeat an existing connection, giving you a 2-tier failover for when you need it. Additionally, it features two physical RJ45 ports that support both WAN and LAN utilisation, and both are 2.5Gb bandwidth.

All that said, keep in mind that this is a gateway device and not a SIM/LTE router. The device does not support eSIM usage and does not have any physical SIM card slot. This is a device for securely and conveniently connecting multiple devices at once to a single existing internet connection via a connected cable or via a third-party available Wi-Fi point. You are still going to need an existing internet connection going in, in order to really take advantage of the features and facilities of this router on your travels.

Solis 5G SIM Router

Pros – Free worldwide 1GB of data every month without a paid subscription requirement, Wi-Fi 6 support, eSIM and physical SIM card slot, USB power bank support, LCD touchscreen, dual-band, guest Wi-Fi SSID option, multiple data plan subscriptions on pay-as-you-go, coverage of the majority of the world, regular deals during seasonal events, USB tethering.

Cons – No physical RJ45 connections, some users will be put off by the optional subscription services.

The Solis 5G is a very different kind of travel router than the GL.iNet Slate 7 I just mentioned. Not only does this travel router feature a physical SIM/LTE slot for adding a cellular data plan in your local country of choice, but it also supports the use of the pay-as-you-go daily data plans available from Solis. Now, I will get onto the advantages and disadvantages of that shortly, but what I really think is cool about this product is that when you buy it and create an account (no bank details or subscription sign-up at all—just an email address, etc.), it entitles you to 1GB of free global data every single month.

That means that if you only plan on travelling internationally once a month on average, you will have a gigabyte of data available to you for absolutely no additional cost. And unless you plan on doing large data uploads or streaming high-definition movies on your travels, 1GB of data can go an exceptionally long way with regards to transportation and maps from the airport to the hotel, utilising translation applications every single day, making international internet phone calls on WhatsApp or WeChat, etc.

Otherwise, you can purchase individual unlimited days of data in packs of single days or multiple days in bundles that you can use ad hoc when you need to. Add to that that there are regular sales and offers on the Solis website during Black Friday, New Year, summer sales, and more, and it’s really easy to just purchase and keep a handful of individual data day passes on your account that you can choose to activate when needed for fast 5G and 4G internet services.

Moving slightly away from the internet connection, however, the device itself is no slouch either. Featuring a touchscreen LCD panel for controls and a mobile application for managing the device and its clients on the go, you can have multiple different SSIDs that vary in security and priority. The system features a large battery to maintain its operation for a great deal of time, as well as supporting USB tethering and USB power bank support.

That’ll allow you to also use it to charge up your USB devices when needed. Support for Wi-Fi 6 ensures up to 1.2Gbps connections to your client devices that feature support for 802.11ax over the two bands of 5GHz and 2.4GHz, and overall, this is easily the most convenient travel router you’re ever going to find. The only main downsides are the lack of physical RJ45 network connection ports and that the software is nowhere near as configurable as that of the GL.iNet routers.

Asus RT-AX57 Go Travel Router

Pros – Wi-Fi 6, small and light at just 12 cm square and 2 cm thick,full open-source software and controls, Wi-Fi repeating, physical VPN switch, multiple VPN services supported, supports mesh with local home/office Asus router for long-term use even when not traveling.

Cons – Lacks physical SIM card slot, pricing is a little all over the place between $99 and $139, I have not personally used it for an extended period of time and it arrives via recommendation from my professional colleagues (not a “con” exactly, but I thought it was worth mentioning).

Now, full disclaimer as mentioned earlier, this is a router that I’ve only utilised personally a very light amount when I’ve been working alongside professional colleagues who have brought this with them and we’ve all connected to it. However, I have heard nothing but good things about this device from my professional colleagues both on YouTube and generally in content creation. Whether it was because of its incredible portability at just 12 cm square and 2 cm thick, the incredibly low power consumption it has, or the fact that it can be used as a mesh point with an existing Asus router at home or in the office and therefore has deployment even outside of its use as a travel-only router, there is a reason I keep seeing this travel router being used at trade shows. Much like the GL.iNet Slate 7, this router does not feature its own SIM/LTE card slot. This is a gateway device that allows you to safely and securely connect all of your devices via a single Wi-Fi connection to an existing USB-connected internet service, wired WAN service, or existing Wi-Fi service in the area.

The hardware is pretty decent for its scale, and although you can find its price to be a little bit erratic depending on the store you shop at, it is possible to find this device at just $99 at some e-retailers. The software is pretty comparable to that of GL.iNet’s software and is built on open-source with support for third-party optional plugins, USB storage sharing, VPN services via physical button, and load balancing/failover. Probably the main appeal for this travel router—something that several of my colleagues informed me was part of their decision to purchase it—is that the device can be utilised for mesh with existing Asus routers. That means that if you have an Asus router already in your home or office environment that supports mesh, you can use this travel router as a mesh node to extend your existing home Wi-Fi coverage greatly when you are not travelling. And then, when you’re ready to travel, disconnect the device and take it with you. Once again, keep in mind that it does not feature a SIM card slot and also requires USB power for operation. But it is one of the smallest travel routers on this list, and although it’s the second oldest router on this list, it is still very capable in 2025.

GL.iNet Puli AX

Pros – Does everything that you want from both a travel router and a local home/office router, has two SIM card slots, features an SD card slot, supports USB storage and NAS-like sharing, and has six antennas shared between local Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity. Features physical RJ45 ports and 2.5G WAN/LAN, includes a battery that can be easily removed if needed, clear LED display and controls, comprehensive router management software and mobile app, VPN physical button and multiple VPN protocols supported. Can be used as a prosumer router locally and easily disconnected and made portable as a travel router at any time (i.e., a 24×7 router, anywhere).

Cons – Expensive at $399-499, large size even without the battery attached.

Without a shadow of a doubt—and if you have the budget for it—the GL.iNet Puli AX SIM/LTE router is not only the best travel router I have ever used, but it might even be one of the best day-to-day routers I have ever used. That’s a pretty big statement, right? Let me explain. First and foremost, with the exception of Wi-Fi 7 support, the GL.iNet Puli AX provides everything that the Slate 7 at the start of this article does, as it utilises the same software platform and services but arrives with more memory, more CPU power/cores, and more storage by default to get started with and make the most of that software. However, it doubles down on everything that other routers from this brand provide. Need a SIM card slot? This device has two LTE/SIM card slots that support 5G and 4G SIM cards. Need physical network ports? This has two and supports 2.5G. Need portability? The system arrives with a large battery that is completely removable. Need good wireless coverage? This device has six individual antennas that cover a huge amount of local network coverage with Wi-Fi 6, and two antennas for cellular coverage. Don’t want to use a physical SIM and would rather use an eSIM? Yep, you can use an eSIM on this device too.

Much like other GL.iNet travel routers, the device supports failover across all of these SIM/eSIM/wired WAN options, and it supports load balancing, while also including Wi-Fi repeating and the ability to utilise the device as an encrypted gateway when connecting to third-party public/free Wi-Fi services. Add to all of that the fact that this router—and its comprehensive and detailed software—means that you can deploy this device in your office as your everyday router for managing countless devices and client hardware, and when you’re ready to go on your travels, the battery enables it to become a comprehensive travel router. That means that unlike other travel routers, which are only used when you travel (meaning the return on investment happens gradually over time), the Puli AX can be used 24×7 as your office router and then as your travel router—without needing to reconfigure security credentials or change anything about your setup unnecessarily between in-house and off-site use.

The Puli AX is by no means a perfect router. Of course, it is way more expensive than any other travel router on this list, and it’s also bigger—even without the battery attached. However, there is also no avoiding the fact that this is by far the most capable and powerful travel router that does absolutely everything you’re going to need, all in one device. With the exception of when I need to travel light or travel locally, I always use this router on my travels, and it has already replaced the router in my studio for day-to-day use too.

(What I said in conclusion on my dedicated Puli.AX Router review HERE) The GL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router is arguably one of the most capable and powerful mobile routers available today. With an extensive feature set, including 5G support, Wi-Fi 6, robust failover options, and comprehensive storage capabilities, it stands out in the market. Despite its hefty price tag of $499, the value it offers in terms of functionality and reliability justifies the cost. Whether used in a static environment or on the go, this router provides a robust and versatile solution for internet connectivity. Overall, the GL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router is an exceptional device that combines advanced features with practical usability. It is well-suited for a wide range of users, from business professionals requiring reliable internet on the go to home users seeking robust and versatile connectivity solutions. Its high price tag is justified by the extensive functionality and reliability it offers, making it a worthy investment for those who need a top-tier mobile router. Whether you’re looking for a reliable internet solution for your home, office, or travels, the Puli AX is a formidable contender that delivers on all fronts.

Avoid Netgear M6 (and most other Netgear Travel Routers for now)

I really hate to be negative, but the following is more of a warning for those of you who have seen the Netgear M6 mobile travel router—either on offer, offered by your local phone shop via contract, or even second-hand on eBay. Please do not buy this travel router, as both myself and many of my colleagues have experienced problems using the Netgear M6 travel router. On the face of it, it’s a great little thing. It’s small, offers great Wi-Fi, has a physical network port, supports SIM/LTE, includes an internal battery, and even features an LCD touchscreen that provides real-time information about the device when in operation. So, what’s the problem? Easy. For a start, it’s one of the most expensive routers for what you’re actually getting—and this applies, by the way, to the newer generation Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 versions too.

The router being expensive wouldn’t be a problem if the device were good enough to do the job. The Puli AX is an expensive travel router, but it has an incredible feature set and performs its role really well—so up to a point, it justifies its price tag. However, in the case of the Netgear M6, this is especially painful when you remember that this isn’t a brand coming out of left field or one you’ve never heard of. Netgear is an international brand associated with both home and professional-class hardware. Even a cursory look at the reviews online about the Netgear M6 indicates that my colleagues and I were not the only ones experiencing these issues with this router—yet these issues have persisted for many years. This isn’t written out of hate or with any intent of negativity, but simply to help stop users who might trust that this product’s name-brand label is enough to assume it’s a good router. I think it’s definitely worth spending the extra time looking around for better options first.

Examples of user other issues with the Netgear Travel Router series (couple of other examples here on the official Netgear Support Forum and on Reddit), but on the whole user feedback across Netgear’s official forums and platforms reveals a consistent pattern of serious reliability issues with the Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro routers. Multiple users report that while the device appears promising—offering features like 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, a touchscreen, and long battery life—the reality often falls short. A common issue involves internet connectivity degrading after 6 to 24 hours of uptime, with the router still technically online (able to ping or resolve DNS) but unable to load any web pages. This effectively renders the device unusable until it is rebooted. Even replacing units, SIM cards, or applying firmware updates often failed to resolve the issue. Many users, including those who rely on the M6 for home or business use, were forced to bypass its router functions entirely—using it as a basic modem while relying on a separate standalone router (like the Linksys EA8500) for Wi-Fi and LAN tasks. This workaround significantly improved performance but defeated the all-in-one purpose of the M6.

Another frequent complaint centers on overheating and throttling, especially when the device is plugged in for extended periods or placed in warmer environments. Users have reported the M6 reaching temperatures well above the recommended 35°C limit, leading to dropped connections, performance slowdowns, and in some cases, device shutdowns. Attempts to address these thermal issues—like using fans, disabling Wi-Fi, removing the battery while powered—provided only partial relief. Firmware updates are inconsistently delivered (especially via AT&T), with some users stuck on outdated builds that don’t resolve known bugs. Ultimately, for many users, the combination of high cost, unstable firmware, poor thermal management, and lackluster support has made the M6 series an unreliable choice—especially when more stable and affordable travel routers are readily available.

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WE LOVE COFFEE

Aujourd’hui, je vous propose un concours pour vous faire gagner un superbe NAS TerraMaster F4-424, la solution de stockage idéale pour les passionnés de tech, les utilisateurs exigeants et les professionnels…

Le TerraMaster F4-424 va changer votre vie

Le TerraMaster F4-424 est un NAS 4 baies en façade et avec 2 emplacements pour des SSD NVMe à l’intérieur. Il est animé par un processeur Quad-Core Intel N95 capable d’atteindre jusqu’à 3,4 GHz… accompagné par 8 Go de RAM DDR5 (extensible jusqu’à 32 Go). Ce NAS offre des performances impressionnantes pour tous vos besoins de stockage, de partage… mais aussi pour le multimédia.

Sa connectique est plutôt généreuse, elle comprend 2 ports Ethernet 2,5 Gb/s pour des vitesses de transfert élevées, 2 ports USB 3.2 Gen2 et même 1 sortie audio-vidéo HDMI 2.1.

Test du NAS TerraMaster F4-424

Comment participer ?

Pour rendre ce concours original et accessible à tous, j’ai décidé de faire simple. Pas de longues conditions ni de démarches fastidieuses !

Règlement du jeu-concours

1. Le concept : Mettez en commentaire de cet article votre cas d’usage le plus original ou pratique pour un NAS comme le TerraMaster F4-424. Comment l’utiliseriez-vous ? Pour quelle solution créative ? Quels problèmes résoudrait-il dans votre quotidien ?

2. Dates du concours :

• Début : 4 avril 2025 à 7h00
• Fin : 11 avril 2025 à 23h59

3. Participation :

• Ouverte à toute personne majeure résidant en France métropolitaine
• Une seule participation par personne

4. Sélection du gagnant :

Le gagnant sera désigné par tirage au sort parmi toutes les participations conformes. Un jury présélectionnera les 10 usages les plus originaux ou pertinents avant le tirage final.

5. Le lot : Le NAS TerraMaster F4-424 (sans disques durs) d’une valeur de 529,99€.

6. Annonce et remise du lot :

• Annonce du gagnant le 13 avril 2025 sur le site
• Le gagnant sera contacté par e-mail (assurez-vous que votre adresse soit correcte)
• Expédition du lot sous 10 jours après confirmation des coordonnées du gagnant

7. Protection des données personnelles :

Les informations collectées serviront uniquement à l’organisation de ce concours et ne seront pas utilisées à des fins commerciales.

Quelques idées pour vous inspirer

Vous manquez d’inspiration ? Voici quelques pistes de cas d’usage qui pourraient faire de vous un heureux gagnant :

• Une configuration multimédia innovante
• Une solution de partage pour votre activité professionnelle
• Un système de sauvegarde pour toute la famille
• Un serveur de jeux pour vos sessions entre amis
• Un hub créatif pour vos projets photo/vidéo
• Un homelab performant…

À vous de jouer !

N’attendez plus et participez dès maintenant en partageant votre cas d’usage idéal en commentaire. Bonne chance à tous et que le meilleur usage l’emporte !

[12/04] Le gagnant a été contacté par e-mail

[12/04] Bravo à Michel qui devrait recevoir ce NAS dans la semaine

How to Upgrade Your Synology to 10GbE Cheaper with the Xikestor SKN-A113-Mini

The XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is a third-party 10GbE network adapter designed as a budget-friendly alternative to the official Synology E10G22-T1-MINI adapter for select NAS models, including the DS923+, DS723+, DS1522+, and RS422+. While both adapters provide similar networking capabilities, the XikeStor comes at a significantly lower cost. The Synology E10G22-T1-MINI typically retails between $130 and $180, whereas the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is available for $55 to $70, making it at least 50% cheaper. However, this price difference comes with trade-offs, including manual installation, potential compatibility issues, and the risk of voiding Synology’s warranty. Unlike the Synology adapter, which offers plug-and-play functionality, the XikeStor requires manual driver installation via SSH, meaning users must be comfortable with command-line tools and network configuration.

IMPORTANT – Do This At Your Own RISK!

Beyond installation challenges, long-term compatibility is a major concern. Because Synology does not officially support third-party network adapters, DSM updates could break functionality, requiring users to reinstall drivers or rollback updates. The adapter will not work until these steps are taken, making it less convenient for those who prefer a hassle-free setup. Additionally, Synology may deny support for any network-related issues if an unsupported adapter is detected in the system, meaning troubleshooting problems like unstable connections or speed drops would be left entirely to the user. For users who prioritize long-term reliability, this lack of official support can be a deal-breaker.

The build quality of the XikeStor adapter is another factor to consider. While the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI is constructed with higher-quality materials for better heat dissipation and durability, the XikeStor is lighter and may be more prone to wear over time. While many users report good performance, there is no guarantee of long-term reliability, particularly if used in a demanding 24/7 NAS environment. In summary, the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is best suited for users who are comfortable with manual setup, willing to risk DSM update conflicts, and do not need Synology’s official support. For those who prioritize stability, seamless updates, and manufacturer-backed troubleshooting, the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI remains the safer—though more expensive—choice.

Bottom line though, This adapter is not officially supported by Synology. While compatibility with DSM 7.2.2 has been confirmed in testing, future DSM updates may break support. Users must be prepared to troubleshoot driver issues and revert DSM updates if necessary.

Compatibility & Specifications

• Compatible DSM Versions: Tested on DSM 7.2.2-72803 (March 2025)
• Supported NAS Models: DS923+, DS723+, DS1522+, RS422+
• Interface: PCIe 3.0 x2
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
• Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-5°F to 140°F)
• Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% RH
• Warranty: 1 year

Installation Guide

Step 0! Ensure system is powered off and install the adapter in the rear of the system.

When installing the adapter first time, make sure the Synology data is BACKED UP, and that the system is powered down. Ensure that you have an additional RJ45 cable connected to the Synology NAS via the 1GbE network port (i.e have a reliable and live network connection to the NAS aside from the 10GbE adapter) as you will need to still access the GUI and NAS via this other connection until the new 10GbE adapter is functioning in your NAS.

Step 1: Check if the Adapter is visible in DSM (will not work immediately)

1. Log into DSM and navigate to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface.
2. If the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is not listed, proceed with driver installation. IMPORTANT make sure the adapter slot at least shows as ‘occupied’ – as this at least shows the card is visible.

Step 2: Enable SSH on the Synology NAS

1. Open Control Panel > Terminal & SNMP.
2. Enable SSH and take note of the port number.
3. Click Apply.

Step 3: Download Required Software

1. Go to the Putty website to download the terminal software:
   • Visit: https://www.putty.org/
   • Download and install the terminal software on your desktop.

1. Obtain the latest XikeStor drivers from the official website:
   • Visit: http://visit.seekswan.com:6555/app/file/new_download.html
   • Click Download Centre > Network Card > SKN-A113-MINI
   • Download modules.sh (driver installation script).

Step 4: Upload the Driver Script to the NAS

1. Log into DSM and open File Station.
2. Create a new folder (e.g., test).
3. Upload modules.sh to this folder.

Step 5: Access NAS via SSH and Install the Driver

There are several commands that you are going to need to use to have sufficient authorization via SSH. IMPORTANT!!! Using Terminal software and SSH commands can seriously damage your Synology NAS system. DO NOT PERSUE THIS WITHOUT A SYSTEM BACKUP IN PLACE, OR IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE RISKS!

The commands you need to use are detailed below and are based around if you uploaded the files you downloaded from the Xikestor site to the NAS in the directory volume1/test/ . Change as appropriate to where you uploaded:

1. Open Putty.
2. Connect to the NAS using its IP address and the SSH port.
3. Log in using the administrator username and password.
4. Gain root privileges by entering:

   sudo -i

5. Navigate to the folder where modules.sh is stored:

   cd /volume1/test

6. Verify the presence of modules.sh by listing the files:

   ls

7. Run the installation script:

   ./modules.sh

8. Enter atlantic as the driver name when prompted.
9. Copy the installed driver to the correct directory:

   cp mi-d/modules/atlantic.ko /usr/lib/modules

10. Restart the NAS:

    reboot

Step 6: Verify Installation

1. Log back into DSM.
2. Navigate to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface.
3. The XikeStor adapter should now be visible and configurable.

Performance Testing & Comparison

Test Environment:

• NAS Model: DS923+
• Storage Configuration: RAID 5 SSDs
• Test Tools: AJA, CrystalDiskMark, ATTO Disk Benchmark
• Connection Type: Direct 10GbE connection

Results:

• The XikeStor adapter performed comparably to the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI in sequential read/write tests.
• Some minor inconsistencies in sustained performance were observed, possibly due to driver optimizations.
• The Synology adapter exhibited better build quality and felt more robust.

Risks & Considerations – SERIOUSLY, READ THIS!

Potential Issues with DSM Updates

• Synology DSM updates may remove or disable third-party drivers.
• Users may need to reinstall drivers or rollback DSM versions.
• Installing third-party hardware may void Synology’s support coverage.
• Synology’s official adapter is guaranteed to work without additional setup.
• The Synology E10G22-T1-MINI uses higher-quality materials and has a more durable construction.
• The XikeStor adapter is lighter and may be less robust.
• The XikeStor adapter is not validated by Synology, which may raise concerns about long-term security and stability.
• No suspicious network activity was detected during testing, but users should monitor their network traffic.

Should You Buy the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini or the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI?

Pros: Lower cost (typically 50% cheaper than Synology’s official adapter) Comparable performance in most scenarios Works with DSM 7.1.1-7.2.2 (as of now)

Cons: Requires manual driver installation and SSH access May become incompatible with future DSM updates Build quality is not as premium as Synology’s official adapter Potential warranty implications

Final Recommendation

• If you want hassle-free compatibility and support, the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI is the safer choice.
• If you are tech-savvy, comfortable with SSH, and willing to troubleshoot, the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is a cost-effective alternative.

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WE LOVE COFFEE

CasaOS est un système open source conçu pour simplifier la gestion d’un serveur domestique, qu’il s’agisse d’un cloud personnel, d’un homelab ou de tout autre usage similaire. Intuitif et accessible, il offre une solution idéale pour centraliser et gérer vos applications en toute simplicité. Découvrons ensemble ses fonctionnalités et ses avantages…

CasaOS, c’est quoi ?

CasaOS permet de transformer n’importe quelle machine en Cloud personnel, offrant des fonctionnalités variées comme :

• Stockage et partage de fichiers ;
• Autohébergement ;
• Streaming multimédia ;
• Automatisation et gestion d’appareils connectés ;
• Installation d’applications avec une interface utilisateur intuitive.

CasaOS : OS ou application ?

Contrairement à ce que son nom pourrait laisser penser (OS : Operating System ou système d’exploitation en français), CasaOS n’est pas un système d’exploitation. Il s’ajoute à un système Linux existant : Debian, Ubuntu, Raspberry Pi OS… CasaOS repose sur ce système sous-jacent pour exécuter ses services et utilise Docker pour gérer les applications. Son interface utilisateur simplifiée rend son utilisation accessible à tous.

Comme indiqué précédemment, le code source CasaOS est ouvert et disponible à cette adresse.

Quelles sont les origines de CasaOS ?

CasaOS a été créé en 2021 par IceWhale Technology, une société basée à Shanghai en Chine. Cette dernière fabrique avant tout du matériel : ZimaBoard (une carte similaire au Raspberry Pi), ZimaCube (NAS complet), ZimaBlade…

Pourquoi utiliser CasaOS ?

CasaOS est idéal pour les utilisateurs recherchant à centraliser leurs données personnelles tout en réduisant leur dépendance aux services Cloud publics.

Comme le système est principalement basé sur Docker, il sera facile d’ajouter des applications qui ne seraient pas présentes depuis l’App Store.

Cependant, CasaOS a quelques défauts/contraintes. Tout d’abord, il n’est pas autonome. Il nécessite d’avoir au préalable installé un système d’exploitation. Cela pourrait en freiner plus d’un. Ensuite, CasaOS ne sait pas gérer de RAID nativement, ce qui peut poser quelques soucis si on veut le mettre sur un NAS. Aussi, l’écosystème de CasaOS est encore trop limité et dépendant à Docker. Il n’est pas possible de faire tourner des machines virtuelles. Enfin, CasaOS est développé par une entreprise chinoise encore jeune, ce qui peut soulever des questions sur la pérennité du projet et la réactivité en cas de besoin de support.

Est-ce que CasaOS peut fonctionner sur un NAS ?

Oui, il peut tout à fait fonctionner sur un NAS DIY ou un NAS du marché dont le fabricant aurait laissé la possibilité d’installer un système alternatif. Il offrira une seconde vie aux NAS qui ne sont plus maintenus par leur fabricant.

En synthèse

CasaOS est un système flexible et économique pour ceux qui souhaitent personnaliser leur serveur à la maison sans investir dans un NAS dédié. Il offre une grande simplicité d’utilisation et de personnalisation. Cependant, il s’agit avant tout d’un système qui s’ajoute à un système d’exploitation. Certaines fonctionnalités avancées, comme le support natif du RAID ou la fiabilité optimisée des systèmes NAS traditionnels, ne seront pas directement présentes dans CasaOS.

Pour tester CasaOS ou en savoir plus, rendez-vous sur le site officiel…

Prochainement, nous aborderons ZimaOS… Le système d’exploitation proposé par IceWhale Technology.

Synology DS401+ Review: A Big Leap in Data Portability

Synology has once again redefined innovation with the launch of its latest device, the DS401+, a radical departure from traditional NAS design. Unlike anything in their existing lineup, the DS401+ is a compact, ultra-portable single-bay system that arrives with 8GB of pre-installed storage.

While its modest appearance might lead some to question its capabilities, this device is full of surprises and packed with what Synology describes as “next-level user-driven expandability.” Upgrades are a breeze, requiring nothing more than confidence, persistence, and maybe a little brute force.

Connectivity is as streamlined as it gets, with USB 2.0 ensuring compatibility with virtually every system released in the past 20 years.

Performance skeptics will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the DS401+ boasts transfer speeds of up to 8GB per second—a metric achieved under rigorous, real-world conditions involving trajectory and velocity.

While traditional benchmarks focus on read/write speeds, Synology’s new direction explores the physics of momentum as an alternative measurement of data mobility. One of the standout features of the DS401+ is its offsite backup functionality.

Designed for those constantly on the move, users can effortlessly transfer data, pop the DS401+ into a bag, and take their backup anywhere—whether that’s to work, the grocery store, or an accidental adventure sparked by a missing cat collar, missing your train and leaving your bag at home – can’t question it, that’s a pretty solid off-site backup!

While the DS401+ doesn’t support DSM, Synology’s usual operating system, it does come with pre-installed software of a different nature. Details remain scarce, but early reports suggest a mysterious blend of anti-ransomware tools, possibly paired with rudimentary antivirus protection.

Whether this is a security feature or just a cleverly disguised README file remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the DS401+ clearly takes a bold stance on cybersecurity—even if no one knows exactly what it’s doing.

File sharing has never been more intuitive. With the DS401+, users can now share files simply by passing the device to someone else. There’s no need for network mapping, no passwords to remember, and absolutely no waiting for uploads. This tactile approach to data transfer offers unmatched immediacy and person-to-person encryption powered by trust. For those concerned about future expansion, Synology has teased a “Forb” edition, rumored to support even more aggressive upgrade techniques.

And for power users who demand more from their tiny NAS, Synology has introduced the DS401+ Forb, a “four-bay” variant that somehow fits into an even smaller form factor than the original. Early hands-on impressions describe it as “smaller than the palm of your hand but twice as confident.” While there’s no visible evidence of four bays, Synology assures customers that the extra capacity is there if you’re willing to think small enough. Expansion remains as simple as ever—just apply additional USB drives using light percussion.

The launch date of the Synology DS401+—April 1st—is no coincidence. Known globally as April Fools’ Day, it’s a time when tech companies occasionally tease products that walk the line between absurdity and brilliance.

From its minimalist design to its unconventional “performance” metrics, every detail feels like a carefully crafted nudge and wink to the audience. It’s a playful reminder that innovation sometimes requires not just thinking outside the box—but joking about the box entirely.

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QNAP annonce aujourd’hui l’acquisition de son principal concurrent Synology, pour un montant estimé à 9 milliards de dollars. Cette fusion risque de bouleverser le marché des NAS et ouvrir la porte à de nouvelles perspectives pour les utilisateurs des deux marques. Explications…

Une annonce inattendue

Dans un communiqué officiel publié ce matin, QNAP a déclaré avoir finalisé l’acquisition de Synology après plusieurs mois de négociations. « Nous sommes ravis d’unir nos forces avec Synology afin de proposer à nos clients des solutions de stockage toujours plus performantes et innovantes », a affirmé le PDG de QNAP.

De son côté, Synology a assuré que cette fusion garantirait « une continuité dans le support et les services » pour ses utilisateurs, tout en laissant entendre que DSM et QTS, les 2 systèmes emblématiques des marques, pourraient bientôt converger.

Une fusion qui interroge

Cette annonce suscite de nombreuses interrogations dans la communauté des utilisateurs de NAS. QNAP et Synology, souvent considérés comme rivaux historiques, ont des approches très différentes en termes de matériel, d’interface logicielle et de politique de mise à jour.

Si certains se réjouissent d’un possible rapprochement des meilleures fonctionnalités des 2 marques, d’autres redoutent une uniformisation du marché et une diminution de l’innovation due à la disparition de cette concurrence qui a tant bénéficié aux consommateurs par le passé.

Quelles conséquences pour les utilisateurs ?

QNAP a tenté de rassurer « rien ne changera à court terme » pour les clients actuels de Synology. Cependant, des sources proches du dossier évoquent déjà une refonte des gammes de produits et une éventuelle fusion des écosystèmes logiciels. Une rumeur persistante indique même que le prochain DSM 8.0 pourrait débarquer dans les NAS QNAP !

dans le NAS !

Oui, tout ceci n’est qu’un poisson d’avril ! QNAP et Synology restent bien des concurrents acharnés, pour le plus grand plaisir des utilisateurs qui profitent ainsi d’innovations toujours plus poussées. Alors, rassurez-vous : DSM et QTS continueront leur guerre technologique et vos NAS préférés ne sont pas prêts de fusionner !

Chaque jour, des millions de personnes prennent des risques inconsidérés sans même s’en rendre compte. Et vous en faites peut-être partie. Photos de famille, documents de travail, souvenirs précieux… Imaginez un instant : votre ordinateur tombe en panne, votre smartphone est volé, votre disque dur lâche, ou qu’un décret obligent les sociétés américaines à ne plus fournir de Cloud aux Européens. Et tout disparaît !

Pourquoi attendre la catastrophe ?

Chaque année, c’est la même chose. Le 31 mars, je vous rappelle l’importance cruciale des sauvegardes. Si vous êtes un lecteur régulier de Cachem, vous savez combien il est vital de sauvegarder vos données et de vérifier leur intégrité.

Les chiffres sont toujours alarmants :

• 30% des gens n’ont jamais fait de sauvegarde ;
• 60% des entreprises ayant subi une perte massive de données ferment dans les six mois ;
• 70% des pannes de disque dur arrivent sans aucun signe avant-coureur ;

Et pourtant, faire une sauvegarde ne prend que quelques minutes.

Les mauvaises excuses qui coûtent cher

Vous vous dites certainement :

• « Je le ferai plus tard. » (Jusqu’au jour où… c’est trop tard.)
• « Mon Cloud suffit. » (Mais l’avez-vous configuré correctement et testé ?)
• « Ça n’arrive qu’aux autres. » (Dites ça aux millions de victimes de ransomware…)

Adoptez les bons gestes

Le World Backup Day, c’est l’occasion parfaite pour adopter une bonne habitude.

Règle du 3-2-1 :

• 3 copies de vos fichiers
• 2 supports différents (disque dur externe, NAS, Cloud…)
• 1 sauvegarde hors site (chez un proche, dans un lieu sûr, sur un Cloud sécurisé…)

Et surtout, testez vos sauvegardes ! Une sauvegarde corrompue, c’est comme un gilet de sauvetage troué.

Faites passer le message !

Aujourd’hui, vous avez encore le choix. Demain, il sera peut-être trop tard. N’hésitez pas à partager cet article à vos proches. N’oubliez pas de mettre en place dès aujourd’hui un plan de sauvegardes.

Ne laissez pas le hasard décider pour vous : Sauvegardez – Vérifiez – Recommencez.

Updates on the Minisforum N5 and N5 Pro NAS

Minisforum is no stranger to shaking up established markets. Known primarily for its innovative and compact mini PCs, the brand has now turned its attention to network-attached storage (NAS) solutions. Earlier this year at CES 2025, Minisforum unveiled the N5 Pro NAS — a five-bay, AI-optimized device that instantly caught the attention of NAS enthusiasts. Now, after a visit to Minisforum’s headquarters and production facilities in Shenzhen, we have a deeper look into this bold new entry into the NAS market.

The N5 Pro is confirmed to be nearing launch, and joining it is a new, more affordable sibling: the Minisforum N5. These new devices aim to strike a compelling balance between powerful performance, modular flexibility, and enthusiast-grade features. Whether you’re building a high-performance TrueNAS server, exploring AI-assisted photo management, or just want to future-proof your home media solution, the N5 Series looks like it could be one of the most exciting NAS hardware releases of 2025. To top it off, Minisforum is also experimenting with their own NAS operating system, which could give users a turnkey alternative to the usual DIY route. Let’s break down what’s been confirmed, what’s new, and why it matters.

Minisforum N5 Pro – Fully Featured and AI-Ready

The N5 Pro NAS remains the flagship of Minisforum’s 2025 storage push, and nearly all the specs shown at CES have now been fully confirmed. It arrives equipped with AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 CPU, a 12-core/24-thread processor built on the Zen 5 architecture, which includes an integrated AI engine.

The design emphasizes airflow and modularity, with a sliding motherboard tray, magnetic front bay cover, and an updated second-gen chassis with better heat dissipation. The system is designed for prosumers and power users, featuring ECC memory support (a rarity in this price segment) and up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM.

Storage-wise, it supports five hot-swappable SATA drives and three M.2 NVMe SSDs — more than enough for a complex ZFS setup or tiered storage architecture. Expansion capabilities are strong as well, with PCIe 4.0 x4, OCuLink for external GPUs or JBODs, and dual Ethernet (10GbE + 5GbE).

Minisforum is also considering offering a 64GB M.2 module preloaded with their custom OS, allowing users to keep all M.2 slots free for data.

The N5 Pro is designed as an open system: while it may ship with Minisforum’s OS on request, users can freely install TrueNAS, UnRAID, OpenMediaVault, or any OS of their choosing — with no impact on warranty.

Category	Specification
CPU	AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (12C/24T, up to 5.2GHz, Zen 5, NPU AI Engine)
GPU	AMD Radeon 890M (Integrated)
RAM	Up to 128GB DDR5 ECC (2x SODIMM, 5600MHz)
SATA Storage	5 x 3.5″/2.5″ SATA (Hot-swappable, up to 22TB each)
M.2 Storage	1x 2230/2280 PCIe 4.0 x1, 1x 2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x1, 1x 2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x2
Expansion	1 x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1 x OCuLink 4i (PCIe 4.0 x4)
Networking	1 x 10GbE RJ45, 1 x 5GbE RJ45
I/O Ports	2 x USB4 (40Gbps), HDMI 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Audio out
Power Supply	280W PSU
Optional Add-on	64GB OS Module (TBC)

Minisforum N5 – A More Affordable, Scaled-Down Option

The new Minisforum N5 is being developed as a cost-effective alternative to the N5 Pro. It retains the same chassis and internal layout but swaps out the high-end CPU and ECC memory support in favor of more accessible hardware.

This device is still in the evaluation phase, with Minisforum considering two CPU options: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS or Ryzen 5 7640HS. Both offer 6 cores and 12 threads, with clock speeds up to 5GHz, and may allow better PCIe lane distribution than the Pro model. Despite the lower-tier specs, the N5 is far from underpowered.

It still supports up to 128GB of DDR5 (non-ECC), the full five SATA bays, three M.2 NVMe slots, OCuLink, and even dual USB4 ports. Where it diverges is networking: the current prototypes drop 10GbE support and may ship with either dual 5GbE ports or a combination of 5GbE and 2.5GbE. For many home users, this is still more than adequate, especially if the N5 launches at a competitive price point.

Like the Pro version, the N5 may include the optional 64GB OS module and support for Minisforum’s in-house NAS OS. Alternatively, users can bring their own OS without voiding support. This flexibility means the N5 could become an attractive entry point for first-time NAS builders or budget-conscious prosumers.

MinisCloud OS – Minisforum’s In-House NAS Software

One of the most intriguing developments is Minisforum’s potential entry into the NAS software space. Internally referred to as MinisCloud OS, this new platform is based on the Siyouyun OS framework (a Debian-based system used by several emerging NAS brands). Still in early development, the OS aims to provide a balance of accessibility and advanced features for home and small business users. Minisforum is evaluating whether to offer the OS pre-installed on the 64GB module, as a downloadable image (possibly SN-locked), or as an optional add-on at checkout. Importantly, this software will be optional, and using TrueNAS, UnRAID, or any third-party OS will not affect warranty or support.

Key Features of MinisCloud OS (In Development):

• ZFS storage support (snapshots, compression, deduplication)
• Multi-user management with 2FA/MFA

• AI-based photo recognition (faces, objects)
• Docker container and App Center
• Built-in file manager & download manager

• Support for SMB, WebDAV, FTP, DLNA
• Multimedia center for streaming content

A Promising Disruption to the NAS Market

Minisforum’s bold entry into the NAS arena is more than a rehash of mini PC hardware — it’s a fresh and flexible approach to modern storage needs. With the N5 Pro targeting power users and the N5 aiming for budget-friendly builders, both models offer advanced connectivity, modularity, and optional OS features rarely seen in compact NAS systems. If pricing lands right, the N5 Series could challenge established NAS vendors and appeal to the DIY home server crowd in a big way. We’ll continue tracking release dates, pricing, and software developments — stay tuned for our full hardware reviews and performance testing. For more, check out our upcoming Shenzhen factory tour and hands-on videos at NASCompares

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WE LOVE COFFEE

L’équipe derrière Infuse frappe fort avec la version 8.1.2 de son célèbre lecteur vidéo. Cette mise à jour introduit de nouvelles fonctionnalités, avec la mise à l’échelle des vidéos (upscaling) par intelligence artificielle et améliore encore l’expérience utilisateur. Regardons de plus près le contenu de cette nouvelle mise à jour…

Infuse 8.1.2

Infuse est un lecteur vidéo ultra-performant conçu pour les appareils Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac et Vision Pro). L’application est capable de lire (presque) tous les formats vidéo sans conversion, qu’ils soient stockés localement (NAS) ou dans le Cloud. Avec son interface élégante, ses puissantes fonctionnalités de lecture et son organisation automatique des bibliothèques (métadonnées et illustrations incluses), Infuse s’est rapidement imposé comme un incontournable pour les amateurs de vidéos.

L’application s’améliore régulièrement, mais elle vient de passer une nouvelle étape avec la version 8.1.2.

Nouveautés

• Upscaling vidéo par IA : cette fonctionnalité permet d’améliorer la qualité des vidéos de résolution 1080p et moins, grâce à l’intelligence artificielle. La mise à l’échelle intelligente est disponible sur les puces A16 et ultérieures, ainsi que celles de la série M d’Apple. Ce traitement sur l’appareil peut être activé ou désactivé dans les paramètres de lecture.
• Support du streaming SMB 3.1.1 : cette mise à jour améliore la compatibilité avec le protocole SMB pour un streaming toujours plus fluide.

Limitation importante : La fonctionnalité d’upscaling grâce à l’IA n’est pas disponible sur Apple TV, du moins pas sur les modèles actuellement commercialisés.

Améliorations

L’interface utilisateur a été optimisée :

• • Apparence des contrôles du lecteur améliorée sur tvOS lorsque la vidéo se termine ;
  • Meilleure présentation des jaquettes dans la liste « À suivre » sur macOS.

Corrections

De nombreux bugs ont été résolus pour offrir une expérience utilisateur plus fluide :

• Problèmes liés aux métadonnées Plex corrigées ;
• Résolution des soucis d’affichage, comme les artefacts visuels lors du téléchargement d’éléments non visionnés et sur le tri par date;
• Améliorations fonctionnelles :
  • Rafraîchissement manuel des métadonnées (tvOS) ;
  • Option « Afficher les logos » rétablie sur iPhone ;
  • Nom des playlists désormais visible dans les menus contextuels (iOS/visionOS) ;
  • Correction du tri avec l’article « The » ;
  • Correction de l’animation lors de la suppression d’éléments :
  • Ajustements divers : correction des couleurs de texte lors du changement de thème et correction d’un crash lors de l’ouverture du menu « Ajouter des fichiers »…

En synthèse

Avec cette mise à jour, Infuse consolide sa place parmi les meilleurs lecteurs vidéo pour les appareils Apple. Cette incursion dans l’IA marque une première étape importante, même si elle est réservée qu’à certains appareils.

Pour consulter la liste complète des corrections, rendez-vous sur la page officielle…