If Not Synology? Which Other NAS Brand Should You Choose?

It’s an odd question, but with Synology arguably making some rather higher business and enterprise decisions in recent years, there have been increasing queries about who would fill the void if they moved onwards and upwards. As Synology holds such a powerful position in the NAS market, their absence would certainly lead to quite the battle of strength from other players. The obvious answer would be QNAP, a brand that has a similar history to Synology (over two decades in the business, Taiwan-based, in-house OS, numerous 1st-party tools, home and business solutions, etc.), but in 2025, the reality is nowhere near as clear-cut. Younger established brands that have jockeyed for 3rd position, such as Asustor and Terramaster, have been challenged by several startups (ZimaCube and Zimaboard 2, Orico’s Cyberdata Vault, to name just two) entering the fray, as well as established brands like UGREEN, which are expanding their business into the NAS sector. If Synology, for whatever reason, ceased to occupy this important user class of private turnkey server ownership, who would be best placed to occupy it?

How, Where and Why Has Synology Changed?

Synology’s rapid change in business stance to be more enterprise/hyperscale-focused comes at the same time as their frequency of more entry-level, small business, prosumer, and enthusiast solutions has dropped. The regularity of smaller 2-Bay and 4-Bay solutions has noticeably decreased, and the hardware they feature has changed to accommodate more business-type use. This by no means suggests that the brand is making moves to exit these user groups (indeed, support of DSM and the latest revision DSM 7.2.2 extends to all existing users up to many systems released in the late 2010s). However, there has been plenty of user outcry from existing users and potential customers on the architecture of both DSM and the recent releases that exacerbate users to move away from the brand and spend their allocated budgets elsewhere. Synology still comfortably sits ahead of its competitors in terms of software, features, and the UX of their platform, but many changes in policy and support mentioned below have started this trend:

• Changes in 3rd-party HDD compatibility on systems above the 8-Bay scale, prioritizing their own 1st-party labeled HDDs and SSDs, as well as reducing the presentation and compatibility listings on their site significantly.
• Changes in the choice of internal hardware featured in their systems to be more focused on business file processes and less on multimedia use.
• Comparatively smaller increases in base hardware between refreshes of individual series (e.g., J4125 and V1500B CPUs in 2024 launch devices, despite first appearing in 2019/2020).
• Considerable increased focus on software enhancements over hardware (not a bad thing, but an undeniable fact).
• Increased proprietary hardware support over 3rd-party (e.g., Synology-only Memory modules, custom 10GbE adapters like the E10G22-T1, Synology-only M.2 SSDs for Pool Use).
• An increasing number of cloud subscription services getting newer features, while local services remain secure and stable but static.
• New product focus shifting towards newer larger-scale solutions like the evolving GridStation series, Active Protect subscription system, and C2 innovations.
• The predicted elimination of the J entry-level series in favor of the pre-populated and software-streamlined BeeStation.

All of the above are small factors in themselves, but add them all up, and you see small but important stepping stones toward a gear shift in Synology’s target demographic. So, if Synology were to intentionally or inadvertently begin to move outside of these user groups of home, small business, and enthusiast, who stands to fill this space and grow?

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QNAP vs Synology?

As mentioned earlier, QNAP stands to be the most likely contender to fill this space. With over 20 years of history, a larger range of hardware solutions than Synology, and software that does pretty much everything Synology’s does, they have been consistent competitors. However, inconsistencies in user experience, conflicting UIs, and a tendency to try to do “too much” have resulted in their losing ground to Synology in terms of software. Add to this the negative brand impact of security incidents in 2020-2022, which tarnished their reputation around security and safety, requiring serious improvement. To the brand’s credit, they have made considerable internal culture changes on this subject, adding bounty programs, tightening system defaults, increasing pen testing, introducing several system security scanning tools, disabling things like SSH and admin super user accounts as standard, and more.

Value Series	Best All Rounder	Prosumer NAS
TS-233 2-Bay NAS	TS-464 4-Bay NAS	TVS-h874 8-Bay NAS
$189 on Amazon (Check Here)	$549 on Amazon (Check Here)	$2499 on Amazon (Check Here)

In terms of hardware, they have mostly stuck to what works, refreshing existing product families at the same rate of 2.5-3 years for desktop small-medium scale, and 3-5 years for larger scale. They have also introduced significantly more recent CPUs from both Intel and AMD, as well as 2.5GbE as standard on their solutions at the same price point as 1GbE. If it weren’t for the damaging brand harm caused by the Deadbolt/QSnatch/Qlocker ransomware attacks, I think Synology would have been significantly challenged by QNAP in the last 2-3 years across all fronts. However, the setback to QNAP’s reputation reduced this growth potential significantly, and in the last two years, we have seen an increasing number of new names pop up in NAS that have also harmed QNAP’s appeal to users in terms of hardware value, the thing they could always be relied upon to beat Synology on. QNAP would still stand to become the ‘top dog’ in the event of a Synology exit (Synexit?) from the low-to-medium tiers of NAS storage, but many new players have entered the field, such as…

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UGREEN vs QNAP?

Largely known for their power adapters and PC accessories, a year ago UGREEN had practically no real presence in the world of NAS. They had a smaller scale and more entry-level range of solutions that were limited to the East, but aside from that, they were complete outsiders. Fast forward to now, and following a successful and well-marketed Kickstarter campaign that raised millions of dollars, they are now a provider of genuinely impressive turnkey NAS solutions—the NASync series. The key word there is “turnkey”, as in they are providing both the hardware and the software. They could have just rolled out their hardware and made it OS-free (i.e., “Here’s a ready-built server, now go install UnRAID or TrueNAS”), but instead, they opted to produce and include an impressively responsive NAS OS in UGOS. Genuinely challenging the feature set of the likes of Asustor and Terramaster, as well as the design of Synology and the hardware level of QNAP, UGREEN has made a rapidly growing name for itself in the small-to-medium NAS sector.

Value Series	Best All Rounder	Prosumer NAS
DXP2800 2-Bay NAS	DXP4800 PLUS 4-Bay NAS	DXP8800 PLUS 8-Bay NAS
$399 on Amazon (Check Here)	$699 on Amazon (Check Here)	$1499 on Amazon (Check Here)

They definitely lack the range of solutions that those other brands offer, with only 6 solutions currently available (the DXP2800, DXP4800/PLUS, DXP6680, DXP8800, and DXP480T), and no rackmount solutions yet, but it’s a solid start. Equally, their software, although fluid and responsive in nailing down the NAS fundamentals, lacks many of the more impressive AAA+ solutions that are offered by the bigger brands. Lastly, although they raised a considerable sum during the crowdfunding, they do not have the global support, offices, or availability of their long-running NAS competitors—with solutions only being available in two regions, the US and Germany. All of these factors add up to a brand that is poised to make even bigger splashes in the years to come but is perhaps not quite ready to replace the big dog, Synology, just yet!

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ASUSTOR vs Synology?

Always the bridesmaid, but never the bride, Asustor is a brand that has been around in the world of NAS in one shape or form for quite a few years. They are one of the mainstream Taiwanese brands in NAS that has always ‘been there’, but it is only in the last 4-5 years that they have been making sizable moves to take on both Synology and QNAP. One of the main ways in which they pursued this is by developing numerous features in both hardware and software that are available from their competitors individually. So features such as M.2 NVMe-focused storage systems, BTRFS support, WORM locking, 2.5GbE/5GbE support, HDMI output via a dedicated GUI, and more are features available on Synology and QNAP to some extent, but only Asustor rolls them under one brand umbrella. So, how poised are they to fill a void if Synology moved out of this space?

Well, from a hardware standpoint, Asustor is in a very good position. Them being Taiwan-based will certainly soothe concerns that have grown around Chinese companies and data storage solutions. Equally, their hardware has evolved rapidly in their last two generations to feature some genuinely unique solutions that are either specific to the platform or priced at a level that makes them genuinely competitive against DIY and BYO solutions. Systems such as the Flashstor series, Lockerstor series, and even value offerings like the Drivestor are surprisingly well equipped. They are not quite on the same level of hardware as QNAP (who have a significantly more diverse hardware portfolio), but they are fleshing it out very well.

Value Series	Best All Rounder	Prosumer NAS
Nimbustor Gen 2 2-Bay NAS	Flashstor Gen 1 12-Bay NAS	Lockerstor Gen 3 8/10-Bay NAS
$369 on Amazon (Check Here)	$449-749 on Amazon (Check Here)	$1999 on Amazon (Check Here)

However, it is the software of Asustor (ADM) that is unfortunately where the brand is a little more timid. They have a NAS OS, numerous client tools for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android—and they nail down the bulk of the application fundamentals for storage management, multi-site backup handling, multimedia playback, containers, and more. But the platform lacks a few of the more AAA/desirable services, such as AI-powered photo recognition, a 1st-party VM tool, ZFS support, and ultimately is a little more reliant on 3rd-party applications to fill the gaps. They have recently countered this by officially detailing that they support users who buy Asustor hardware to go ahead and install 3rd-party NAS software like TrueNAS or UnRAID without it harming your warranty—so they know they are not leading the pack in terms of their own ADM NAS software but do make noticeable user concessions. With new hardware on the horizon in the Lockerstor Gen3 and Flashstor Gen2 (both of which see a significant bump in hardware profiles), we might see some impressive moves from Asustor in 2025. I just think they still have some ways to go before they can fill any potential void that Synology might leave.

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TERRAMASTER vs Synology?

Terramaster has been jockeying for the NAS 3rd place spot with Asustor for well over a decade at this point, and much like their opponent, they have been good at integrating individual features from both QNAP and Synology into their own NAS hardware and TOS platform, but to a larger degree than Asustor. For example, their OS provides largely everything that Asustor ADM does (including TrueNAS/UnRAID support without voiding your warranty) but adds to this with an AI photo recognition platform, their own VM tool, and an impressive Isolation Mode that can sever the system at the click of a button from remote access, 3rd-party PHP, and any external requests (necessitating a restart to disable). However, as this brand is a Chinese brand, there will always be question marks raised by users about how this system compares with Taiwanese-based systems. This is a little unfair, given that Terramaster, Asustor, and QNAP were all successfully hit by the same ransomware attack (Deadbolt) a few years back, so there was plenty of ‘vulnerability’ to spread around!

In terms of hardware, Terramaster has been making some impressive and aggressive strides in this area—with the recent launch of their 3-part F4-424 Intel NAS series (Standard, Pro, and MAX), the release of two 8-bay M.2 NVMe 10GbE equipped systems (the F8 PLUS and F8 SSD PLUS), and new desktop and rackmounts hot on their heels. They have also scaled up the design to better improve cooling, efficiency, and just general visual appeal.

Value Series	Best All Rounder	Prosumer NAS
F2-424 2-Bay NAS	F4-424 Max 4-Bay NAS	T9-500 Pro 9-Bay NAS
$369 on Amazon (Check Here)	$819 on Amazon (Check Here)	$1499 on Amazon (Check Here)

However, much like Asustor, their software is just not able to challenge the standard that Synology has set. For buyers looking for smooth and easy utilization like Synology, Terramaster’s TOS has the danger of feeling a little clunky. Their latest release, TOS6, brings new features, software standards, and design to the mix, but it lacks the range of mobile applications, desktop client tools, and consistent UX/presentation that Synology seems to do so well. Terramaster is a fantastic value-for-money choice, and I would argue they have significantly scaled up the level of hardware and software utility they provide year on year. But they still have a way to go before they can hit the same notes as Synology DSM yet.

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WD / Netgear vs Synology?

This is a pretty short one! The answer is no! Both WD and Netgear have regularly reduced their hardware ranges and the frequency of software updates these last few years, and although there are a decent range of business file server systems still being released, the general home/enthusiast/prosumer level of hardware is pretty poor and uninteresting compared to everyone else on this list so far. I cannot help but get the feeling that, aside from some basic backup NAS systems that are still listed at the majority of retailers, the bulk of their range has been in circulation for 5-6 years now without any refresh in sight. For basic target file/folder storage, these systems still provide some limited modern NAS utility, but overall, they are a fairly weak alternative to Synology’s offerings in 2025.

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A UniFi NAS?

With increased mentions and leaks online towards a potential NAS in the works from UniFi, this could be a very credible alternative to Synology in terms of software UX and presentation. UniFi, and its incredibly user-friendly UX featured on their Switch, Router, NVR, and Dream Machine combination systems, is where UniFi shines. No doubt any UniFi NAS solution would need to similarly blend into their ecosystem to the same degree. That said, if they were to launch a system, all their experience in the fields of network management, router security, and surveillance systems might not necessarily translate into a similar pedigree in network-attached storage. It’s hard to discuss how or if UniFi could fill any market space that a potential Synology absence would create, as they do not have any systems out in the market to make an informed decision. This is for the “To Be Continued…” pile!

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Drobo vs Synology?

No…just…no. See Video Below:

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IceWhale / ZimaCube

This is a very interesting one. 2023 and 2024 saw several companies arrive in the turnkey NAS space via the crowdfunding route (we already discussed UGREEN as the biggest example), wanting to break into the market. However, IceWhale benefits from having already launched two previous successfully fulfilled campaigns and is just completing their third one with the ZimaCube NAS system. Arriving with the lightweight containerized platform Zima OS (a modified version of their existing Casa OS), this new series is pretty impressive for its scale and price point at launch. Add to that the significantly unique design, impressive use of 10GbE and Thunderbolt over IP, and a 6x HDD / 4x NVMe system in a compact case, and you can see why they have made a fairly significant splash for a brand that is comparatively unheard of compared to Synology, QNAP, etc.

However, as robust as their range of solutions is (ZimaBoard, ZimaBlade, and ZimaCube), the software is still very rudimentary compared to the bulk of other browser GUI and more “operating system”-stylized UX. There are virtually no client applications, except for their own system search and connection client tools. An eventual successor to Synology, if they moved upwards toward bigger and more business-oriented solutions, would need to hit the software functionality and user experience exceedingly early and exceedingly well.

Mini PC Brands – Lincplus, Aoostar, etc.

This is an odd one. There have been a large number of solutions appearing on sites such as AliExpress that arrive as “OS-Free” services, allowing a user to get a pre-built NAS hardware solution (i.e., no need to build one yourself, which takes longer and requires a degree of technical understanding). The end user can then choose to install popular and well-established solutions like TrueNAS, UnRAID, OpenMediaVault, and more.

Value Option	Best All Rounder	SSD Focused NAS
Aoostar WTR Pro 4-Bay NAS	Minsiforum MS-01 3/6-Bay NAS	Lincplus Lincstation N1 6-Bay NAS
$399-799 on Amazon (Check Here)	$399 on Amazon (Check Here)	$399 on Amazon (Check Here)

This serves as an impressively economical solution and has significantly grown in popularity in 2023/2024, but these 3rd-party software platforms lack a lot of the ease of use and quality of life client tools for modern devices that Synology features. Indeed, despite efforts like UnRAID 7 making its day-to-day use much easier, and TrueNAS working with HexOS for a more user-friendly output, these still pale in comparison to DSM and will also require a greater degree of technical user input in the long term to maintain stability, versus Synology’s rather more “it takes care of itself” design.

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Synology vs EVERYONE ELSE – Conclusion and Verdict

If Synology were to leave the home/enthusiast/prosumer/small business tier very soon, I do think QNAP would stand to reoccupy this ground. However, give it 2-3 years, and I do think players like Terramaster, Asustor, and yes—even UGREEN—are poised to give QNAP some serious consumer competition. No doubt Synology is still keeping an eye on their competition (big and small) and would not willingly or easily give up this sector without a fight. However, there is no denying that the turnkey NAS industry is no longer the 2-3 horse race it was just five years ago!

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Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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Synology VS Terramaster NAS Drives in 2025 – Which One Deserves Your Data?

Synology and TerraMaster are two well-established brands in the network-attached storage (NAS) industry, each targeting a range of users from home enthusiasts to small and medium-sized businesses. Synology, a Taiwanese company with over two decades in the field, is widely recognized for its DSM (DiskStation Manager) software, which emphasizes stability, security, and integration within a tightly controlled ecosystem. TerraMaster, while newer to the market, has steadily gained ground by offering hardware-focused, cost-effective solutions with increasing software support via its TOS (TerraMaster Operating System) platform.

I want to provide a side-by-side comparison between Synology and TerraMaster as they stand in 2025, focusing on the real-world differences in hardware, storage, software, and security. The goal is to outline the practical strengths and weaknesses of each brand without leaning heavily toward subjective preferences or historical bias. This is especially relevant for users reevaluating Synology due to recent policy shifts, or for those considering TerraMaster as a flexible and affordable alternative.

 TerraMaster’s TOS (TerraMaster Operating System), currently in version 5.1 with version 6 available on select systems, has seen rapid growth in capabilities and usability over the last few years. While it doesn’t yet match DSM’s polish, it has made significant strides in offering equivalent functionality. TOS supports Btrfs-based snapshots, Rsync and CloudSync for cloud backup, Docker container deployment, and VirtualBox-based virtualization. While the latter is less tightly integrated than Synology’s VMM, it does allow for third-party VM deployment in a usable way.

TerraMaster has also developed TerraSync, a synchronization tool designed to rival Synology Drive, and supports both media management and AI-enhanced photo sorting with apps like Terra Photos. However, many of TOS’s functions rely more heavily on community-driven or open-source third-party applications, resulting in a slightly less unified experience overall.

In terms of application ecosystems, Synology’s App Center clearly offers the broader and deeper catalog, particularly for business users. First-party applications such as Synology Office, Chat, MailPlus, and Note Station deliver a productivity-focused alternative to cloud services, and their Surveillance Station software stands out as one of the most powerful NVR platforms in the NAS market.

TerraMaster’s App Center includes essential tools but lacks the same level of first-party development. However, it makes up for this in openness: TerraMaster supports a wide array of third-party and open-source platforms more freely, including Jellyfin and Unraid. Moreover, TerraMaster allows alternative operating systems like TrueNAS to be installed without voiding the warranty, which adds considerable flexibility for tech-savvy users. Overall, Synology delivers a more unified and polished software experience, while TerraMaster emphasizes adaptability, freedom, and cost

Synology vs Terramaster NAS – Security and Safety

Synology has long maintained a strong reputation in the NAS sector for prioritizing system security, and this is evident in how thoroughly security is integrated throughout DSM. Synology’s Security Advisor provides active scanning for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and password weaknesses, while its firewall, account protection, and IP auto-blocking features offer practical layers of defense against unauthorized access. Synology also supports comprehensive SSL certificate management via Let’s Encrypt and offers two-factor authentication (2FA) with TOTP and hardware key support. From a business continuity perspective, DSM includes native WORM (Write Once Read Many) capabilities and encrypted shared folders to protect sensitive data from tampering or deletion. Perhaps most critically, Synology operates a dedicated PSIRT (Product Security Incident Response Team), frequently publishes security advisories, and participates in high-profile vulnerability testing events like Pwn2Own—demonstrating a serious commitment to vulnerability discovery and remediation.

TerraMaster’s security offering has become more robust over recent years, particularly with the development of Isolation Mode—a unique feature allowing users to instantly sever all external access and remote services with a single click. This acts as a kill switch in the event of a suspected breach or malware event. TOS also includes a system-level security scanner that checks for basic vulnerabilities and enables 2FA, SSH restrictions, and SSL certificate deployment. While TerraMaster’s platform does not offer as many granular policy tools as DSM, it supports core protocols like OpenVPN and L2TP for secure remote access and regularly issues firmware updates in response to new threats. The company also now provides greater transparency regarding CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures), though its advisory frequency and scope remain smaller than Synology’s.

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Despite these advancements, TerraMaster’s security record has faced scrutiny in the past due to incidents like the Deadbolt ransomware attacks. These incidents, which also affected other NAS vendors, prompted significant user backlash and a push for more proactive security updates and faster patching. TerraMaster has since responded by improving software integrity and introducing layered protection features, but the lingering perception remains that Synology maintains a stronger and more proactive security posture overall.

This perception is reinforced by Synology’s investment in ongoing vulnerability research, bug bounty programs, and a broader portfolio of security-focused tools. As it stands in 2025, Synology continues to lead in NAS security maturity, while TerraMaster has made meaningful progress—especially with unique features like Isolation Mode—but still has ground to cover in enterprise-level protections and threat response.

Synology vs Terramaster NAS – Conclusion and Verdict

Comparing Synology and TerraMaster in 2025 ultimately highlights a clear philosophical divide between the two NAS brands. Synology continues to build upon a long-standing focus on refined software, tight integration, and enterprise-grade security. Its DSM platform remains one of the most polished and feature-rich operating systems in the NAS space, offering a wide selection of first-party tools for backup, surveillance, virtualization, and secure access. However, this ecosystem is increasingly closed, with stricter hardware compatibility requirements and limited support for third-party drives, SSDs, and expansions. For users who prioritize reliability, ease of use, and support from a mature software ecosystem, Synology remains a compelling—if sometimes restrictive—option.

Synology NAS– 5 Strengths vs TerraMaster in 2025 Superior software polish: DSM offers a more consistent, responsive, and user-friendly interface, ideal for beginners and pros alike. Better security infrastructure: Features like a dedicated PSIRT, frequent vulnerability disclosures, and a bug bounty program give Synology the edge in system safety. Mature first-party apps: Key tools like Active Backup for Business, Surveillance Station, and Synology Drive are more refined and feature-rich than their TOS counterparts. Streamlined management: Built-in tools for snapshots, monitoring, and backup offer a more centralized and automated experience. Longer ecosystem stability: Greater long-term support for software versions and consistent patch cycles provide peace of mind for business use. Cons: Strict hardware compatibility: Recent models (e.g., DS925+) restrict use of non-Synology drives and SSDs, frustrating users seeking flexibility. Less hardware value per dollar: Generally more expensive for equivalent CPU, RAM, and port configurations.

TerraMaster, by contrast, leans into flexibility and hardware value. Its broad portfolio includes NAS units ranging from entry-level to high-performance multi-bay SSD systems, often at lower price points than Synology’s equivalents. TOS 5.1 and the newer TOS 6 have brought meaningful improvements in UI and functionality, while still maintaining a more open approach to compatibility and user customization. Features like native Jellyfin support, VirtualBox VM deployment, and the ability to install TrueNAS or Unraid without voiding warranty make TerraMaster a standout for DIY-leaning users or those with niche requirements. However, its software, while improving, does not yet match the polish or depth of Synology DSM, especially in areas like virtualization, surveillance, and enterprise security.

TerraMaster NAS – 5 Strengths vs Synology in 2025 Better hardware value: Offers more powerful CPUs, RAM, M.2 slots, and 10GbE in the same or lower price bracket. Flexible OS options: Users can install TrueNAS, Unraid, or other OSes without voiding the warranty, offering unmatched flexibility. Open storage support: No restrictions on drive brand or SSD use, supporting Seagate, WD, Toshiba, Samsung, and more. More aggressive expansion options: TOS systems often support more USB and hybrid expansion units across the portfolio. Integrated Jellyfin support: TerraMaster includes native Jellyfin installation without relying on Docker or community packages. Cons: Less mature software ecosystem: TOS apps are less polished and lack some advanced features found in DSM tools. Weaker track record on security: Past vulnerabilities (e.g. Deadbolt) and slower public patching place more responsibility on the user for hardening.

In the end, choosing between Synology and TerraMaster depends heavily on user needs and expectations. Synology suits users who want a highly stable, all-in-one solution with minimal configuration and long-term support. TerraMaster offers greater adaptability and value for power users who are comfortable managing third-party apps and want to stretch their hardware investment further. Neither approach is inherently better—each has its strengths and trade-offs. Buyers seeking a tightly controlled, secure environment may gravitate toward Synology, while those who value hardware scalability, open software choices, and affordability may find more freedom with TerraMaster.

Synology DS925+ NAS		Terramaster F4-424 / Max / Pro
Check Amazon in Your Region for the Synology NAS Solutions	Check B&H for the Synology NAS Solutions	Check Amazon in Your Region for the Terramaster NAS Solutions	Check B&H for the Terramaster NAS Solutions

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Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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UniFi New NAS Rumours – Everything We Know

Duing the UniFi World Conference event (the UWC 2025 expo event that took place in several places around the world over a week in May) the brand took the opportunity to share a huge amount of information about their roadmap for hardware and software in 2025 (and 2026!) and although there was a lot of information about cameras, switches, integrations and improvements – the big, BIG detail that emerged that got my attention was that the UNAS series of NAS devices is rumoured to be getting several portfolio additions over the course of the next 18+ Months! All of this was seemingly shared behind closed doors, with photography and video prohibited during the presentations (with choice projects by the brand like these limited to keynote ‘on stage’ presentations) and not available for general access and sharing on the show floor.

However, ALOT of the information shared was then discussed at length on forums and community sites across the internet (unsurprisingly predominantly on Reddit more than most – shocker I know). Because of this, we have a great deal of rumoured, shared and near-confirmed information about what the brand is planning for the soon to be growing UNAS series of devices – including a potentially dedicated M.2 NVMe SSD flash devices, Enterprise grade ZFS Rackmount system (XG NAS?) and even more entry level desktop solutions in 2 and 4 Bay SATA.

There is a lot to get to and I think we will likely see granular and gradual updates to all of these solutions as time wears on, so I wanted to create this article to add shared info and leaks as they appear online. You can get notifications and alerts on this page by subscribing at the bottom of the article.

IMPORTANT – Regardless of how solid/rumoured any of the UniFi UNAS systems that are detailed on this page are – do NOT be complacent about your data and backups! If you need a backup solution right now/soon, do not ‘hold out’ for these devices, as no device will ever be worth the danger of your data being lost (power lose resulting in a raid failure, data corruption, accidental deletion..need I go on?). So, if you like the sound of UniFi and their products, and the UNAS from UniFi sounds like it meets your needs, it is still available RIGHT NOW for just $499 HERE – It is a 7x SATA Half-Depth Rackmout NAS with 10GbE and a comprehensive data management software in UniFi Drive. You can watch my review HERE and my 6 Months Later update on it HERE.

Here is a list of Sources on Reddit that detail what was observed at Unifi World Conference 2025 with regard to Network Attached Storage:

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Which UniFi UNAS Devices Are Rumoured for 2025 and 2026?

16th June 2025 Updated

Below are the details we know so far (some details need further verification and confirmation, indicated appropriately) that we are aware of so far. Keep in mind (IMPORTANT) that these drives are massively ‘TBC’, so alongside potential name changes it is also possible that they may not arrive at all – as UniFi might change their mind based on market research about the need for a given device! Additionally, sometimes information online is contradictory to other information (eg the larger and smaller scale NAS system and a potential Pro XG system might well be the same device!), so do not treat this information as set in stone! Let’s break down each entry:

>>>>> IMPORTANT – IMAGES FOR GUIDANCE ONLY <<<<<

2 Bay Entry-Level HDD NAS

The UNAS Pro, although popular, is none the less quite large for much smaller user deployments – so if UniFi was to really stretch it’s muscles into the world of NAS, it would come as no surprise that they would provide more entry/small-footprint devices. So, the oft mentioned 2 Bay UNAS would be desirable, but also UniFi’s most compact HDD system to date, targeting home and SOHO users looking for simple backup or file-sharing functionality. No confirmation or detail on the shared information on the hardware profile (one can imagine an ARM base and 2-4GB of memory – but it’s all very ‘TBC’) and 2.5GbE connectivity. 2 drives would give precious little bandwidth for 10GbE to even be worth the time of day, even with SATA SSDs.

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An NVMe SSD NAS dedicated NAS for Creative Workflows

This proposed SSD focused NAS moves away from spinning disks in favor of M.2 NVMe SSD slots, focusing on silent, high-performance workflows for media creators or prosumers. This compact unit maintains a passive cooling design and leverages Drive 3.0’s new dynamic storage pool system to balance protection and performance. It’s intended for those needing faster I/O than HDDs can provide without the size or noise of a rackmount. if this ends up coming out, is would be INCREDIBLY popular (given M.2 SSD prices are now only around 2x more than HDD, with a 4TB M.2 NVMe SSD in both Gen3 and Gen4 hitting just $200+, and WD Red and Seagate Ironwolf 4TB HDDs around the $89-99 mark)

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4 Bay Desktop-Grade HDD NAS

This would deliver a more durable 4-bay solution with a desktop form factor, designed for small business environments or tech-savvy users. It combines the flexibility of 3.5″ HDDs with the enhanced features of UniFi Drive 3.0, including smarter snapshots and storage pools. Compared to the standard UNAS 2-bay discussed solution, this model would offer better RAID options, as well as performance potential (even in a RAID 5). Nevertheless, if/when this comes around, expect modest hardware under the hood!.

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A ‘Proper’ 4 Bay and 8 Bay Rackmount NAS

Alongside the already released 7 Bay UNAS Pro, there is talk of a 4 Bay and 8-bay rackmount NAS aimed at larger deployments such as offices, branch networks, or video surveillance environments as a storage target for UniFi Portect perhaps. Built to handle RAID 6 (rolling ut in the latest UniFi NAS OS and Drive updates) and large-scale storage pools, it includes business-class hardware for redundancy and expandability. Its release aligns with Ubiquiti’s push into more scalable data solutions under the UniFi Drive 3.0 future framework.

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An Enterprise ZFS Appliance – THIS IS WHERE IT GETS GOOD!

Although the existing UNAS Pro NAS system runs on an BTRFS foundation, there was multiple references and rumours to UniFi’s first foray into ZFS-based NAS systems and appears to be targeted at enterprise environments requiring snapshot-based backup, inline compression, and greater control over storage topology. Very few hardware specifics have been shared, and it is unclear whether this is a completely separate physical unit or a software SKU atop a Pro-series device. I will be interested to see if, if this arrives, how they will migrate the existing UNAS/Drive/NAS OS appliances onto this ZFS base – as well as whether it will benefit from the inline and native performance/integrity benefits of ZFS!

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Does the Orico Cyberdata Vault CF56 and CF56 Pro Deserve Your Data?

IMPORTANT – This is a review of two early prototypes of the Orico Cyberdata Vault NAS devices that will be launching on crowdfunding in July, and likely will see improvement and optimization as time and development continue. I provide this rolling/dynamic review as an indication of what the system is aiming fo ran a full and detailed review of the final product will arrive much closer to launch.

The Orico CyberData Vault CF56 and CF56 Pro NAS systems are part of a newly developed six-model lineup that will be launched via Kickstarter, aimed squarely at prosumers, media professionals, and small business environments in need of hybrid local storage with higher bandwidth connectivity and ZFS support. Both systems are built around the same chassis design but differ significantly in internal capabilities: the CF56 features an Intel Core i3-N305 processor (8-core, 8-thread), while the CF56 Pro steps up to an Intel Core i5-1240P (12-core, 16-thread). The units combine traditional 3.5-inch HDD storage (five bays) with six M.2 NVMe SSD slots for caching or tiered storage configurations, housed within a structure that offers magnetic access panels and multi-zone active cooling.

These models also introduce Orico’s new CyberData OS, a ZFS-based operating system featuring snapshots, real-time media indexing, and AI photo recognition—although in its current form it remains incomplete and in early development. With features such as dual 10GbE on the Pro model, USB4 connectivity, and flexible expansion via a GPU dock or RAID cabinet, these NAS systems reflect Orico’s shift from accessory brand to full-scale storage solution provider. While still prototype units, the CF56 and CF56 Pro demonstrate hardware ambition aligned with recent trends in semi-professional NAS design, echoing earlier moves from competitors like UGREEN, Aoostar, and Minisforum.

Orico Cyberdata Vault Review – Quick Conclusion

The Orico CF56 and CF56 Pro offer a promising blend of modern hardware, hybrid storage design, and ZFS-based data protection aimed at prosumers and small creative teams seeking high-speed, subscription-free private cloud solutions. With a total of five 3.5” HDD bays and six M.2 NVMe SSD slots, both units provide considerable flexibility for building tiered or cache-accelerated storage environments, while their use of efficient Intel processors—the N305 in the CF56 and the more powerful i5-1240P in the Pro—positions them for a wide range of workflows from basic file serving to heavier tasks like 8K transcoding, Docker hosting, and AI media indexing. The CF56 Pro, in particular, stands out with its dual 10GbE networking, USB4 ports, GPU dock support, and multi-zone cooling—placing it closer to workstation-class NAS territory. However, both models are currently limited by the early state of their CyberData OS software, which, while promising in features like snapshots, AI recognition, and mobile integration, suffers from missing essentials such as two-factor authentication, a complete app ecosystem, and consistent language localization. Performance results also reflect this unfinished software layer, with SMB transfer speeds and transcoding performance falling short of the hardware’s full potential. Concerns like elevated NVMe temperatures on the Pro model and the lack of ECC memory support—despite ZFS being the default file system—underscore the need for careful expectations among more advanced users. Nonetheless, as hardware platforms, the CF56 and CF56 Pro are well-designed and competitive, particularly if Orico can deliver on its planned optimizations and enhancements by the time of full release.

BUILD QUALITY - 8/10

HARDWARE - 8/10

PERFORMANCE - 7/10

PRICE - 8/10

VALUE - 8/10

7.8

PROS

Hybrid storage: 5x HDD + 6x M.2 NVMe SSD (flexible ZFS configurations)
Dual 10GbE on CF56 Pro for high-speed networking
Modern CPUs: Efficient N305 and powerful i5-1240P
Expandability via GPU dock (CF56 Pro only) and USB4 RAID cabinet
Up to 64GB DDR5 RAM with dual-channel (CF56 Pro)
Multi-zone active cooling and manual fan profiles
HDMI + DisplayPort output with 4K/8K support
Integrated AI media management and Docker support

CONS

No ECC memory support
USB4 ports lack network-over-USB functionality (Coming Later Apparently)
Early firmware lacks optimization (e.g. SMB transfer speeds)
CyberData OS lacks two-factor authentication and app store currently
Top NVMe region on CF56 Pro runs hot under load (80°C) on this protoype
Localization/UI inconsistencies in current OS build (still pre-launch) and Software still in development; not final at time of review
Crowdfunding is Not For Everyone

Orico Cyberdata Vault Review – Design

The exterior design of the CF56 and CF56 Pro is clearly built around practical serviceability and visual minimalism, with both devices using a shared chassis that prioritizes easy access to internal components. The most distinctive feature is the magnetic front panel, which is removable without tools and serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose. This panel provides ventilation along the sides and top edges, as well as system information through onboard LED indicators.

Behind it, the five 3.5-inch drive bays are arranged vertically on a dedicated SATA backplane, pre-wired for direct access to the internal storage controller. This layout streamlines maintenance and makes drive replacement relatively simple, although hot-swap capability has not been officially confirmed in the prototype documentation.

Above the HDD area, users will find four top-facing M.2 NVMe SSD slots located beneath a secondary magnetic lid, which includes a washable mesh dust filter. This dual-layered design gives quick tool-less access to the upper SSDs, and the system provides enough internal clearance to accommodate full-height heatsinks.

Underneath the chassis are two additional M.2 NVMe slots, accessed by removing the base plate, which is secured with standard screws. Combined, this provides a total of six M.2 bays, enabling hybrid storage setups where SSDs can be allocated for cache, metadata pools, or as part of a tiered ZFS configuration. While the layout appears consistent across both models, there are minor internal structural differences, especially in the power and thermals between the N305 and i5 variants.

Build quality varies slightly depending on perspective. The chassis exterior is predominantly plastic for reduced weight and cost, but the internal structure—such as drive cages, shielding, and board mounting points—is fully metal, contributing to better durability and heat dissipation.

Ventilation is managed by a single large rear fan, with the Pro variant including additional improvements in thermal zoning. Noise levels remained within reasonable limits during testing, with the CF56 model averaging 29–31 dBA in quiet mode and the CF56 Pro rising to 46–47 dBA under full load. This suggests that although the design is visually consistent, thermal demands increase substantially with the i5-1240P model under sustained workloads or dense NVMe configurations.

One notable design concern relates to the temperature observed in the upper M.2 bay region of the CF56 Pro. During extended stress testing, the top section of the chassis reached temperatures close to 80°C, prompting early correspondence with Orico about hardware revision plans. According to the brand, this issue has already led to a second- and third-generation PCB redesign, aiming to reduce thermal concentration around the CPU and top NVMe slots. It’s expected that the final retail revision of the CF56 Pro will include enhanced heat dissipation features in that area, potentially including better ventilation cutouts or redesigned passive cooling components on the board level.

Lastly, the system’s approach to internal power delivery differs subtly between models. Both the CF56 and CF56 Pro use an external PSU that connects via a barrel plug, but the wattage and thermal ceiling requirements are significantly higher on the Pro due to its 12-core CPU and expanded 10GbE networking. These differences also manifest in fan curve behavior and system-wide power consumption. Under light but active load (including live network activity and idle CPU), the CF56 consumed around 45–46W. In contrast, the CF56 Pro peaked at 79–81W during 8K transcoding and full NVMe/HDD population. This further emphasizes how both models share a common enclosure but diverge internally to meet their respective performance tiers.

Orico Cyberdata Vault Review – Internal Hardware

Internally, the CF56 and CF56 Pro share a similar board layout, but the differences in their processors define the target use case and overall capabilities of each unit. The CF56 is powered by the Intel Core i3-N305, an energy-efficient 8-core/8-thread processor based on the Gracemont architecture. This CPU is commonly used in fanless mini PCs and excels in multi-threaded workloads at low power consumption, making it suitable for light-to-moderate NAS tasks such as SMB file serving, local backups, Docker containers, and light Plex usage. Meanwhile, the CF56 Pro features the Intel Core i5-1240P, a significantly more powerful 12-core/16-thread processor with four performance cores and eight efficiency cores. This hybrid architecture provides greater burst throughput and a better foundation for AI-enhanced services, real-time media indexing, and virtualization tasks.

Both systems come with DDR5 memory pre-installed—16GB in the prototype units—but with different slot configurations. The CF56 includes a single DDR5 SO-DIMM slot, limiting it to a maximum of 32GB of memory and restricting dual-channel capability. In contrast, the CF56 Pro includes two SO-DIMM slots, supporting up to 64GB DDR5 and enabling dual-channel operation, which offers a notable performance uplift in workloads such as memory-intensive VMs or media databases. However, ECC memory is not supported on either model, due to both CPUs lacking ECC validation. This may concern users intending to rely on ZFS for mission-critical operations, as ECC is typically recommended in those scenarios to prevent silent data corruption.

Storage throughput is also heavily influenced by the PCIe lane allocation on each model. In the CF56, all six M.2 NVMe SSD slots operate on Gen 3 lanes, with those on the top four slots running at PCIe 3.0 x1 speeds and the bottom two reaching PCIe 3.0 x4. While this limits maximum per-slot bandwidth to around 1 GB/s on the upper four, it allows for cost-effective use of Gen 3 drives, which remain widely available and affordable. The CF56 Pro offers higher total bandwidth, with its top four M.2 slots upgraded to PCIe 3.0 x2, and the bottom two retaining PCIe 3.0 x4. Despite the i5-1240P supporting Gen 4 PCIe, Orico appears to have intentionally limited all M.2 slots to Gen 3 to manage thermals and ensure system stability under prolonged load.

An unexpected discovery during prototype testing revealed a possible seventh internal M.2 slot in the CF56 Pro, presumed to host the system boot drive or be reserved for future expansion. However, due to the lack of SSH access in the prototype firmware, further validation was not possible at the time of recording.

Regardless, the six main M.2 slots and five SATA drive bays offer ample storage configurability, especially when paired with the ZFS features of CyberData OS. System cooling, power delivery, and memory configuration all reflect Orico’s attempt to match their component selection with real-world use cases—balancing between hardware headroom, affordability, and the needs of semi-professional users handling mixed media workflows.

Orico Cyberdata Vault Review – Ports and Connections

The CF56 and CF56 Pro both offer a broad selection of ports, but the Pro model significantly extends external connectivity, particularly in terms of networking and high-speed data interfaces. On the CF56, the rear I/O includes a standard 2.5GbE LAN port alongside a single 10GbE RJ45 connection, suitable for most users looking to transfer large media files or operate light virtual environments. The CF56 Pro upgrades this to two dedicated 10GbE ports, allowing for simultaneous high-throughput tasks or link aggregation configurations. This networking setup makes the Pro variant especially attractive for multi-user environments, such as small studios, where heavy media file access and backups may occur concurrently across devices.

Both models include a similar array of USB ports on the rear and front panels. This consists of two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for high-speed peripheral or DAS connectivity, and two legacy USB 2.0 ports suitable for input devices or basic accessories. The CF56 Pro goes a step further by incorporating dual USB4 ports—though in testing, these were not available for direct network interface (as is possible on some modern NAS with Thunderbolt or USB-C network tunneling), but functioned as general-purpose USB interfaces. According to Orico, future firmware revisions may unlock additional functionality, but as of the current prototype, USB4 is primarily used for connecting high-speed external drives or expansion units.

Video output is supported across both systems, which include an HDMI 2.0 port and a DisplayPort 1.4 connection on the CF56, and upgraded HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a outputs on the CF56 Pro. These allow users to output up to 8K display resolution, enabling the NAS to function as a lightweight desktop, digital signage server, or direct-play multimedia center. Integration with CyberData OS supports media playback and basic interface control over HDMI, though there are some limitations in UI optimization for direct screen navigation, especially in the current prototype firmware. Still, the availability of dual video outputs on both models reflects a growing trend in hybrid NAS/HTPC design.

Power input is provided via a barrel connector on both models, though the CF56 Pro uses a higher-wattage external PSU due to the increased demands of its CPU and dual 10GbE networking. Internal power distribution appears to be cleanly handled, and the systems remained electrically stable during tests. One area of future interest will be how Orico handles expandability. While Thunderbolt or USB4-based RAID cabinets are planned for the series, support was not fully implemented in the prototype stage. GPU dock support is also present only on the larger devices in the product family, leveraging the i5’s PCIe expansion capability for dedicated GPU tasks such as video rendering, AI inference, or VM acceleration.

Orico Cyberdata Vault Review – Performance, Heat and Power Tests

Initial performance evaluations of the CF56 and CF56 Pro revealed that while the underlying hardware is capable, real-world throughput is currently constrained by early-stage software optimization. During SMB file transfer testing over 10GbE, both models struggled to reach expected performance levels, with the CF56 averaging below 500 MB/s and the CF56 Pro rarely breaking 1 GB/s, even under favorable conditions. Orico acknowledged this limitation and confirmed that software-level optimization was ongoing. As such, these figures should be treated as provisional and not reflective of the final product performance. In both models, ZFS was used as the underlying file system, configured in a hybrid tiered setup with HDDs for capacity and NVMe for metadata and caching.

Transcoding tests were particularly revealing of the CPU differences between the models. The CF56 managed basic 1080p and some 4K H.265 transcodes via software decoding, but exhibited signs of strain under higher bitrates or simultaneous streams. In contrast, the CF56 Pro with its i5-1240P processor handled up to eight 8K transcodes concurrently during one benchmark, maintaining responsiveness while CPU usage hovered around 30%. Despite this impressive processing ability, peak system power draw climbed to 81W, highlighting the thermal and energy trade-offs required for sustained performance. Notably, neither system offers hardware transcoding via Intel Quick Sync, as support for it was not accessible in the current CyberData OS build.

Thermal management remained mostly acceptable, though not without concern on the CF56 Pro. Under stress, the top M.2 bay area reached 80°C, and while no thermal throttling occurred, prolonged exposure could reduce SSD lifespan or stability. Orico responded that this issue was already being addressed through a revised internal board layout and enhanced venting. The CF56 maintained lower temperatures during the same tests, remaining between 38–46°C under average usage. The difference is largely attributable to the lower TDP of the N305 CPU and reduced overall system throughput, which in turn generated less heat throughout the chassis.

Noise levels were measured in all three fan modes (Quiet, Standard, and Turbo) to assess usability in home or small office settings. In Quiet mode, the CF56 registered 29–31 dBA, making it suitable for desktop deployment or living room environments. The CF56 Pro remained silent under light use, but escalated to 46–47 dBA under Turbo mode, with fan noise becoming noticeably audible. Most of the ambient sound during low to moderate use came from HDD activity, rather than the cooling fans. The OS includes manual fan control and profile scheduling, allowing users to balance performance and acoustics based on workload and time of day.

Orico Cyberdata Vault Review – Software and Services

The desktop client software included with the Orico CF56 and CF56 Pro NAS systems is built on fnOS, a closed-source NAS operating system developed in China and increasingly licensed by various hardware brands. In its current state, the desktop interface provides access to all core storage functions, including RAID management, user permissions, snapshot control, and file operations, but it clearly reflects a system still undergoing development.

While the application is responsive and offers real-time monitoring of CPU, memory, and storage activity, it lacks polish in both design layout and localization. Several UI elements remain inconsistently translated, and some modules—such as the multimedia suite and AI functions—exhibit a mixture of English and untranslated Chinese text even when the system language is set to English.

Functionally, the OS supports the major protocols expected from a ZFS-based platform, including SMB, NFS, FTP, and Time Machine backup for macOS. File-level encryption, inline deduplication, and snapshot creation are all available within the storage management interface, with options for cache acceleration using the M.2 NVMe drives.

However, the absence of certain administrative features—most notably two-factor authentication, SSH access, and a dedicated app store—limits its appeal for security-conscious users or those looking to expand functionality via community-developed tools.

The system does include Docker support with a container manager interface, but VM deployment and third-party service integration (e.g., Plex, Jellyfin) are currently unavailable or not pre-installed.

The file management system in the desktop client is functional but basic, offering drag-and-drop file operations, preview support for common file types, and options for setting sharing permissions. Remote access features rely on a relay service provided by Orico, and while this worked reliably during testing, there was no visible option for configuring custom domain access, HTTPS certificates, or firewall profiles—features typically expected in more mature NAS operating systems.

Some of the advanced AI features, such as facial recognition and semantic photo tagging, are accessible through this desktop interface, but their functionality is inconsistent due to metadata scraping issues and interface reliability.

On the mobile side, the fnOS-derived application shows greater completeness. The Android client used during testing allowed for quick setup, user management, remote file access, and snapshot control. Photo and video libraries are indexed automatically and presented with timeline views, location tags, and album sorting. The app also supports real-time uploads, camera roll backups, and basic editing metadata tagging.

AI recognition features such as object detection and face grouping are available, although semantic search accuracy remains mixed.

Remote control of HDMI playback from the phone is supported, allowing content streaming directly to a connected display, but the controls remain basic and lack the refinement of dedicated media remote interfaces.

Overall, while the mobile app appears more polished and covers most core user needs, both desktop and mobile software clients reflect a platform that is not yet feature-complete. The reliance on fnOS gives Orico a functional foundation with native ZFS support and UI consistency across devices, but the closed nature of the system, combined with the lack of extensibility and incomplete localization, may limit its immediate appeal outside of its domestic market.

If Orico follows through on promised optimizations and expands the software stack with a proper app ecosystem and advanced security controls, the platform could become more viable in international NAS markets. Until then, the software should be considered a work-in-progress that supports basic NAS tasks but may fall short for more demanding or technical deployments.

Orico Cyberdata Vault Review – Verdict and Conclusion

The Orico CF56 and CF56 Pro represent a calculated step into the semi-professional NAS market by a brand historically known for accessories and external storage enclosures. By leveraging Intel’s N305 and i5-1240P processors, DDR5 memory, and a mix of HDD and NVMe storage options, Orico offers a compelling hardware platform on both models—especially in terms of expandability and bandwidth potential. The CF56 is well-suited for users who require reliable local storage with some containerization and light media usage, while the CF56 Pro pushes into territory typically occupied by entry-level rackmounts or high-end desktop NAS systems, thanks to its dual 10GbE ports, USB4 support, and improved thermal zoning. While the lack of ECC memory may deter more cautious enterprise buyers, most of the design trade-offs appear intentional and aligned with prosumer priorities.

That said, both units remain in a pre-release state at the time of writing, and their software platform—CyberData OS—is clearly still under development. While the ZFS integration, AI media indexing, and snapshot management show promise, issues such as language inconsistencies, incomplete feature sets, and missing essentials like two-factor authentication may limit early adoption. File transfer and multimedia performance also require further optimization, with current speeds falling short of the hardware’s capabilities. As prototypes, the CF56 and CF56 Pro demonstrate strong hardware foundations, and if the OS matures as expected by launch, these units could become legitimate alternatives to mainstream NAS systems in the increasingly crowded hybrid storage space.

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Reviewing the Beelink ME Mini NAS – Flashy Brilliance

The Beelink ME Mini NAS is a compact, six-slot network-attached storage solution aimed squarely at home users seeking a quiet, efficient, and flexible storage platform without the cost or complexity of traditional full-size NAS systems. Measuring just 99mm in each dimension and built with a minimalist cube design, the unit is designed to blend into home environments such as living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices. At its core is the Intel Twin Lake N150 processor, a 4-core, 4-thread CPU with a 6W TDP and a burst clock of up to 3.6GHz, paired with 12GB of soldered LPDDR5 4800MHz memory. This combination targets scenarios such as home media streaming, light file serving, or soft routing, rather than heavy enterprise workloads.

The ME Mini supports six M.2 2280 SSD slots, delivering a maximum theoretical storage capacity of 24TB. This includes one Gen 3 x2 slot (designed for the OS) and five Gen 3 x1 slots for storage expansion.

These SSD slots are actively cooled via an integrated heatsink and top-mounted silent fan, with thermal pads pre-attached for single-sided SSDs. Network connectivity includes dual Intel i226-V 2.5GbE ports and Wi-Fi 6 via an M.2 AX101 module, offering options for wired link aggregation or wireless deployment. Designed to support operating systems such as Unraid, OpenMediaVault, and TrueNAS, the ME Mini provides sufficient hardware for media servers like Plex or Jellyfin, personal backup, or even entry-level virtualization tasks. With a built-in power supply and no reliance on bulky external adapters, the device prioritizes simplicity and space efficiency.

Beelink ME Mini NAS Review – Quick Conclusion

The Beelink ME Mini NAS stands out as a compact, energy-efficient, and well-balanced storage solution tailored for home users seeking quiet and capable performance without the complexity of larger NAS systems. With support for six M.2 NVMe SSDs—one at Gen 3 x2 and five at Gen 3 x1—it offers up to 24TB of storage in a 99mm cube form factor, complete with an internal power supply and silent fan-assisted cooling. Its Intel Twin Lake N150 CPU and 12GB of LPDDR5 memory provide enough processing headroom for tasks like 4K media streaming, personal backups, and soft routing, while dual 2.5GbE LAN ports and Wi-Fi 6 expand its deployment options. Though the fixed memory and limited PCIe bandwidth on most slots constrain scalability, the thermal efficiency, low power draw (as low as 6.9W idle), and reliable Crucial SSD options make it a compelling value proposition. It’s not aimed at high-performance or prosumer use, but for users building a quiet, tidy, and effective DIY NAS at home, the ME Mini delivers far more than its size suggests.

Check Amazon in Your Region for the Beelink ME Mini NAS ($329 4/6)

Check AliExpress for the Beelink ME Mini NAS ($344 4/6)

Check the Official Beelink Site for the ME Mini NAS ($209 4/6)

Beelink ME Mini NAS – Design and Storage

Visually, the Beelink ME Mini sets itself apart from other mini NAS systems with its symmetrical cube-shaped design, measuring 99x99x99mm. Available in three color variants—Pearl White, Midnight Grey, and Peacock Blue—the device adopts a subtle, neutral aesthetic intended to fit into typical home environments without drawing unnecessary attention. The enclosure features rubber feet for vertical stability and ventilation grilles located at both the top and bottom, supporting a passive vertical airflow design that assists with heat dissipation.

Despite its small footprint, the chassis houses an integrated power supply unit (PSU), which eliminates the need for bulky external power bricks and simplifies cable management—an uncommon but notable design feature in NAS devices of this size.

Storage capacity is a central feature of the ME Mini, with support for up to six M.2 SSDs in 2280 format, totaling a maximum of 24TB. These slots are all positioned internally in a dual-sided configuration—three on each internal face—and interface via PCIe Gen 3. Five of the slots operate at Gen 3 x1 bandwidth, while one (typically slot 4) operates at Gen 3 x2, recommended for installing the OS. The use of M.2 NVMe SSDs enables dense storage with minimal thermal output compared to 3.5” drives, which aligns with the ME Mini’s aim of delivering high-capacity, low-noise storage for homes. There is also a 64GB eMMC module included by default, recommended for lightweight OS installations or router-based platforms.

Internally, the layout is deliberately engineered to optimize thermal contact between the SSDs and the large aluminum heatsink at the center of the chassis. Each M.2 SSD slot is lined with a pre-applied thermal pad to ensure direct contact with the heatsink, enhancing passive cooling performance. This configuration is most effective with single-sided SSDs, though there is still clearance for some double-sided modules.

The passive heat management is further augmented by a silent fan located at the top, which provides active airflow without introducing noticeable noise—recorded at just 31–34 dBA during idle operation and up to 40 dBA under heavy load.

The ME Mini’s storage design is not intended for hot-swapping or tool-less drive changes, a reflection of its focus on home and small office environments where drives are installed once and left in place. While this may limit flexibility for enterprise workflows, it benefits reliability and aesthetics, especially considering the internal PSU, which would otherwise be challenged by fluctuating thermal loads from frequent disk changes.

The result is a closed, compact system that maximizes storage density while maintaining a fanless aesthetic from the exterior.

For users opting for pre-configured models, Beelink offers bundles that include Crucial P3 SSDs—either one 2TB unit or two 2TB units—depending on the chosen configuration. This co-branding with Crucial ensures a known level of SSD endurance and performance, contrasting favorably with many competing budget NAS options which often use generic or unverified storage media. The factory pairing also ensures that one of the SSDs is installed in the Gen 3 x2 slot, delivering better system responsiveness and transfer speeds for OS-hosted operations such as Plex metadata handling, RAID cache, or VM images.

Beelink ME Mini NAS – Internal Hardware

The internal hardware of the Beelink ME Mini centers around the Intel Twin Lake N150 processor, a 4-core, 4-thread chip based on Intel’s 10nm architecture. With a base TDP of 6W and burst frequency of up to 3.6GHz, it is positioned as a power-efficient solution for NAS tasks that include multimedia playback, basic file sharing, and light application hosting.

While it does not support hardware transcoding at the same level as higher-tier Intel core chips with Quick Sync, the N150 performs adequately for 4K playback in Plex and other media servers when transcoding is avoided. In real-world use, the CPU averaged 60–75% utilization during simultaneous dual 2.5GbE access and SSD activity, indicating a solid baseline for single-user or family scenarios.

Complementing the CPU is 12GB of LPDDR5 memory, soldered directly to the board and clocked at 4800MHz. While the memory is non-upgradable, the capacity is sufficient for running lightweight NAS OS environments, containers, or even some virtual machines.

Unlike most mini PCs that cap out at 8GB in similar thermal envelopes, Beelink’s decision to include 12GB offers a practical boost for users running multiple services, such as a media server alongside a VPN container or light file indexing applications. The absence of SO-DIMM slots means this cannot be expanded further, which may deter power users seeking a more scalable system, but the default capacity fits the ME Mini’s home-use intentions well.

The overall thermal design pairs the CPU and SSDs with a centrally-mounted metal heatsink that acts as both a structural element and a cooling component. The silent fan located above the heatsink assists with vertical airflow, helping to maintain internal component temperatures during prolonged operation. During extended thermal tests—such as 24-hour idle and active file transfer sessions—surface temperatures peaked between 48°C and 60°C, particularly at the base where the PSU and networking ports reside.

While the design keeps the main components within reasonable thermal ranges, there is a potential thermal buildup at the bottom under sustained load, suggesting an optional future design revision could include a base fan.

Beelink ME Mini NAS – Ports and Connections

Despite its compact dimensions, the Beelink ME Mini includes a wide array of ports suited for both networking and peripheral connectivity. On the networking side, the unit features two 2.5GbE LAN ports (Intel i226-V), located at the rear, which support link aggregation or failover configurations. These enable transfer rates well above standard gigabit networking, although in practice, real-world throughput tends to be limited by SSD performance or PCIe lane constraints. During bandwidth testing, combined throughput between the LAN ports peaked around 580–600MB/s easily.

As much as many of us would want 10GbE – at this scale of CPU/Lanes, Price and just HEAT – I can understand why its absent here. That said, I do want to mention that the system includes onboard Wi-Fi 6 (via Intel AX101 module) and Bluetooth 5.2, expanding its use cases to wireless media streaming, mobile backups, and wireless NAS deployment without consuming physical LAN ports. More importantly though, UnRAID recently announced that in their latest update, you can now use wireless adapters (see below) – which, alongside UnRAID’s lightweight ‘on RAM’ deployment, makes it bloody IDEAL for using on the Beelink ME Mini

In terms of USB connectivity, the ME Mini provides a balanced selection across both older and high-speed standards. The rear I/O panel houses a USB 2.0 port (480 Mbps), while the front features one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (10Gbps) and a USB Type-C port (also 10Gbps). This offers sufficient bandwidth for attaching external storage, keyboard/mouse input for system setup, or USB-based backup devices. While a higher count of USB 3.0+ ports might have benefitted users with multiple external drives, the available ports are positioned logically and suit the intended home-focused workflows.

Display output is provided via a single HDMI port located on the rear, which supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz. Although display output isn’t central to most NAS workflows, this port enables users to connect the system to a monitor or TV for initial OS installation, dashboard display, or media playback when used with platforms like LibreELEC or Kodi.

However, as noted during hands-on testing, functionality via HDMI may vary depending on the operating system installed—some headless NAS platforms may not fully support graphical output. Nevertheless, for users experimenting with hybrid HTPC/NAS setups or running Linux-based OS variants with a GUI, the HDMI port remains a useful inclusion.

Beelink ME Mini NAS – Performance and Power/Heat/Noise Testing

In testing, the Beelink ME Mini demonstrated respectable throughput for a system of its class, especially when factoring in its compact size, low power draw, and passively biased thermal design. Using Unraid and TrueNAS Core for performance benchmarking, sequential read and write speeds from the five PCIe Gen 3 x1 slots averaged around 740MB/s read and 544MB/s write under repeated 1GB test files. These numbers are typical for Gen 3 x1 lanes and reflect near-maximum lane saturation, suggesting minimal internal throttling under standard conditions. The Gen 3 x2 slot, intended for the operating system, provided higher performance—averaging 1.1GB/s read and approximately 960MB/s write when paired with the bundled Crucial P3 SSD.

Transfer speeds between SSDs installed in Gen 3 x1 and Gen 3 x2 slots were tested in both directions and maintained averages of around 590–600MB/s. These figures reflect the limitations of internal bandwidth allocation rather than SSD performance. Even so, for most home NAS scenarios such as 4K media playback, multi-user access to stored documents, or photo libraries, the bandwidth is more than sufficient. It’s worth noting that SSD cooling remained effective during prolonged access, with only modest thermal variation even under full-speed transfers across all six drives.

Thermal behavior during sustained load was closely monitored using a HIKMICRO thermal imaging camera. With all six SSDs installed and periodic access maintained over a 24-hour period, temperatures peaked at 48–51°C at the top panel and 58–60°C at the base, where most of the PSU and networking activity is concentrated. Running the same tests with the case removed saw temperatures settle slightly lower—around 49–51°C across the board—confirming the effectiveness of the internal heatsink and fan assembly. However, the bottom of the unit exhibited more thermal accumulation due to the lack of active ventilation underneath, pointing to an area for potential design refinement.

In terms of power consumption and noise, the ME Mini is especially frugal. With no SSDs installed, the device idled at 6.0–6.9W. When populated with six SSDs and left idle, it drew approximately 16.9W. During peak activity—dual LAN ports active, CPU load above 70%, and all drives in use—power draw peaked between 28W and 31W. These are competitive numbers even among ARM-based NAS devices, and particularly impressive for an x86-based solution with full M.2 NVMe storage.

Acoustic output was also controlled, with idle operation measured at 31–34 dBA and full load peaking at just under 40 dBA—quiet enough for placement in shared living spaces without distraction.

While performance is clearly limited by the Gen 3 x1 interface speeds on most slots, the device’s thermal and power efficiency arguably matter more for its intended audience. This NAS isn’t designed for high-throughput, multi-client virtualization tasks or heavy 10GbE video editing pipelines. Instead, it excels in delivering balanced, stable, and low-noise performance across general-purpose NAS workloads. For users building a Plex server, family backup archive, soft router, or even an experimental home lab appliance, the ME Mini offers just enough headroom to handle real-world demands without overwhelming complexity or cost.

Beelink ME Mini – Performance and Environmental Metrics (Over 3 Days)

Beelink ME Mini NAS Review – Verdict and Conclusion

The Beelink ME Mini NAS delivers an uncommon blend of size, functionality, and efficiency in a market segment often dominated by larger, louder, and less integrated alternatives. It is not designed to compete with traditional enterprise-grade NAS devices or modular, scalable solutions for prosumers. Instead, its strengths lie in targeting the needs of home users who want a quiet, energy-efficient storage solution that is easy to deploy, aesthetically unobtrusive, and capable of handling daily tasks such as media streaming, file backup, or soft routing. The inclusion of six M.2 NVMe SSD slots—paired with a Gen 3 x2 system slot—offers a rare level of expansion in such a small enclosure. The integration of an internal PSU, silent fan-assisted cooling, and a surprisingly effective thermal design are thoughtful touches that differentiate it from the majority of DIY NAS mini PCs.

That said, it is not without limitations. The memory is non-upgradable, thermal accumulation at the base suggests room for improvement, and bandwidth ceilings imposed by Gen 3 x1 lanes will constrain users who demand high parallel throughput. Still, for its price point—particularly when pre-order discounts are applied—the ME Mini offers significant value, especially when compared to ARM-based NAS solutions with similar or lower specifications. With bundled Crucial SSD options and support for a wide range of NAS operating systems, it positions itself as a ready-to-go platform for tech-savvy users wanting to avoid the assembly of a fully DIY system. Overall, while not a product for every use case, the Beelink ME Mini succeeds in its aim to be a compact, stylish, and capable home NAS.

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Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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Synology DS1525+ vs DS1522+ NAS Comparison – Get It Right, FIRST TIME!

With the arrival of the Synology DS1525+ in 2025, many users are now weighing it against its immediate predecessor, the DS1522+, released in 2022. On the surface, both NAS units share the same 5-bay form factor, nearly identical chassis design, and very similar price points—typically between $699 and $799 at launch. However, a deeper dive reveals a number of meaningful changes in hardware resources, storage expansion policies, and how Synology now handles drive compatibility and system flexibility. While the DS1525+ does offer better networking and CPU core count, it also introduces tighter restrictions on what drives can be used, how storage pools are formed, and what options are available to users looking to migrate data from older systems. By contrast, the DS1522+ retains a far more open approach to hardware, offering greater freedom for enthusiasts and IT professionals. In this article, we’ll break down the internal hardware, ports, storage support, DSM software capabilities, and system behavior of these two NAS systems—giving you the context you need to make the right decision the first time, and avoid buyer’s regret later.

Synology DS1525+ vs DS1522+ NAS Comparison – Internal Hardware

The most noticeable hardware difference between the DS1525+ and DS1522+ lies in their processors. The DS1522+ is powered by a dual-core AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU, which operates at a base frequency of 2.6 GHz and can boost up to 3.1 GHz. This chip delivers strong single-threaded performance and is very power efficient, making it well-suited for environments where tasks are sequential or lightly parallelized—such as SMB file sharing, surveillance, or general-purpose storage. The DS1525+, in contrast, uses a quad-core AMD Ryzen V1500B processor running at a fixed 2.2 GHz. While it lacks boost frequency, the additional cores and threads make it the more capable option for multitasking-intensive DSM deployments. Workloads like hosting multiple Docker containers, running several VMs, or operating high-volume backup jobs are handled more smoothly by the V1500B thanks to its stronger concurrent throughput. While synthetic benchmarks might show the R1600 ahead in single-threaded operations, in day-to-day NAS usage, the V1500B’s multitasking benefits are more relevant—particularly for users aiming to centralize many services on one box.

Synology DS1525+ vs DS1522+ NAS Comparison – Ports and Connections

The differences between the DS1525+ and DS1522+ become more apparent when examining their networking and expansion connectivity. The DS1522+ is equipped with four 1GbE RJ-45 LAN ports, which support link aggregation for up to 4 Gbps combined bandwidth when used with a managed switch. This configuration provides solid redundancy and flexible port allocation, especially for environments where isolating traffic across different services (e.g., backups, media, surveillance) is desirable. However, in 2024 and beyond, 1GbE is increasingly viewed as a bottleneck—particularly for users working with 4K video editing, large VM images, or fast local backups. The DS1525+ addresses this issue by shifting to 2 × 2.5GbE RJ-45 LAN ports, allowing up to 5 Gbps total bandwidth through link aggregation, and faster speeds on a per-connection basis, even when using unmanaged 2.5GbE switches that are now more common and affordable. This change aligns the DS1525+ with modern mid-tier NAS expectations and offers improved real-world performance, especially for multi-user workloads and high-speed transfers from SSD caches or NVMe pools.

Additionally, both units include a PCIe Gen3 x2 slot for optional 10GbE network upgrades. Synology’s E10G22-T1-Mini card is supported on both models and provides a compact, cost-effective way to future-proof network performance. However, given the DS1525+ already starts with 2.5GbE, users may find less urgency to upgrade immediately compared to the DS1522+, where a 10GbE card may be needed sooner to break past 1GbE limitations. Both models support Wake-on-LAN and scheduled power events, and both feature dual rear fans for effective cooling regardless of network traffic or drive load. From a connectivity standpoint, the DS1525+ represents a forward step toward higher-speed networking and modern expansion methods—but it does so at the cost of legacy compatibility, which may matter for users with established infrastructure. In contrast, the DS1522+ offers broader port coverage and flexibility but risks becoming dated more quickly in high-throughput environments.

Synology DS1525+ vs DS1522+ NAS Comparison – Storage

At first glance, storage capacity and physical layout appear virtually identical between the DS1525+ and DS1522+. Both systems offer five main drive bays that support 3.5″ SATA HDDs and 2.5″ SATA SSDs, as well as two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for caching or, in the case of the DS1525+, full storage pool creation. Each NAS can be expanded up to a total of 15 bays using two proprietary Synology expansion units (DX517 for the DS1522+, DX525 for the DS1525+), enabling up to 240 TB of raw storage assuming maximum capacity drives. However, a major divergence emerges when we examine drive compatibility policies. The DS1522+ follows Synology’s older, more permissive approach: users may install third-party drives from brands like Seagate, Western Digital, or Toshiba with only warning messages shown during setup. Storage pools, RAID arrays, and DSM installation all proceed without functional restrictions, making it a flexible platform for users with existing drives or cost-sensitive deployments.

Both the DS1525+ and DS1522+ run Synology’s DSM 7.2 operating system and provide access to the same broad library of official and third-party packages. This includes core applications such as Synology Drive for file sync and access, Synology Office for collaborative documents, and Active Backup for Business for system-wide backup management. The app experience is largely identical on both devices, with support for Virtual Machine Manager, Hyper Backup, Snapshot Replication, Synology Photos, and Surveillance Station. However, the differences in system hardware and compatibility enforcement subtly influence how DSM behaves and what features remain available under different configurations. For example, both models support up to 256 snapshots per shared folder and a system-wide maximum of 4,096 snapshots, but users on the DS1525+ will be subject to stricter compatibility enforcement in DSM’s Storage Manager if using drives that aren’t on Synology’s approved list.

Synology DS1525+ vs DS1522+ NAS Comparison – Conclusion

The Synology DS1525+ and DS1522+ may look nearly identical on the outside, but they diverge sharply in philosophy, system behavior, and long-term value. The DS1522+, launched in 2022, stands as one of the last truly flexible 5-bay NAS systems in Synology’s portfolio. It offers a dual-core AMD Ryzen R1600 processor with excellent single-thread performance and supports up to 15 drives with two DX517 expansions. More importantly, it retains the traditional Synology approach to third-party drive compatibility—meaning users can install and operate a wide range of HDDs and SSDs (Seagate, WD, Toshiba, etc.) without system blocks. DSM will issue warnings if a drive isn’t officially listed, but critical features like RAID recovery, storage pool expansion, and hot spare assignment continue to function. That level of hardware openness makes the DS1522+ particularly attractive to power users, budget-conscious builders, and small IT teams looking to repurpose existing hardware. The DS1525+, released in 2025, represents a subtle but significant shift in Synology’s design strategy. On paper, it offers solid upgrades: a quad-core AMD Ryzen V1500B processor that enables better multitasking, faster 2.5GbE LAN ports for improved data throughput, lower noise and power consumption, and full NVMe storage pool support (with Synology SSDs). These improvements make the DS1525+ a better fit for users running multiple simultaneous services—such as Surveillance Station, Synology Drive, and Docker containers—all while maintaining smooth operation. However, these benefits come with stricter limitations. The unit enforces Synology’s 2025-era drive verification policy, which outright blocks DSM installation or RAID operations with unverified drives. Migration is allowed, but users will be met with persistent warnings, degraded system status indicators, and feature restrictions that can’t be bypassed. The flexibility to reuse older drives, expand arrays freely, or mix hardware brands has been systematically curtailed.

In essence, the choice between these two NAS systems reflects more than just performance—it’s a decision between openness and control. The DS1522+ remains a strong all-rounder for users who want to build their system on their own terms, manage diverse storage needs, or repurpose hardware they already trust. It’s well-suited to small businesses, creators, and experienced users who value transparency and adaptability. The DS1525+, by comparison, is more refined, but also more prescriptive. It favors users willing to commit fully to Synology’s ecosystem—those who prioritize simplicity, tighter integration, and long-term consistency, even at the expense of flexibility. It’s a better fit for turnkey environments where reliability and vendor support matter more than customization. Both NAS devices are excellent in their own right, but the right choice depends entirely on how much control you’re willing to trade for convenience—and whether your NAS should be a platform you shape, or a solution that shapes your workflow.

 

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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

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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Is the CWWK N355 Soft Router Firewall / NAS Box Worth Your Data? (Review)

DIY router boxes have gained popularity in recent years, especially those coming out of China with various hardware configurations. The CWWK N355-powered firewall appliance is an intriguing option, not just as a high-performance router but also as a potential NAS device. Unlike many reviews that focus on its networking capabilities, this review explores its viability as a compact and efficient NAS solution.

CWWK N355 DIY 10GbE Router/NAS Review – Quick Conclusion

The CWWK N355 is a well-rounded and versatile device that excels in networking, virtualization, and compact NAS applications, thanks to its dual 10GbE SFP+ ports, 2.5GbE LAN, expandable DDR5 RAM, and M.2 NVMe storage support. It is a compelling choice for firewall applications, Proxmox virtualization, and even lightweight NAS or media server setups, offering a balance of performance and connectivity in a compact and durable metal chassis with active cooling. The Alder Lake-N N355 CPU delivers efficient multi-core performance, making it suitable for running multiple services, including Docker containers, VMs, and network security applications. Additionally, its expandable memory and storage options give users flexibility, though its storage implementation is somewhat restrictive due to only one native NVMe slot and a SATA port with no internal mounting space. However, its aging Intel 82599ES 10GbE controller, high idle power consumption of 21-22W, and lack of full-speed PCIe lanes limit its potential for high-performance NAS deployments. While it can handle moderate file-sharing and media streaming workloads, users who require full 10GbE speeds, extensive storage expansion, and power efficiency may find better options in dedicated NAS motherboards with PCIe slots or higher-efficiency processors. Still, for those looking for a compact, high-speed network appliance with strong customization potential, the CWWK N355 remains a solid choice for advanced home labs, small business networking, and hybrid router-NAS setups. As long as users are aware of its networking bottlenecks and storage limitations, it offers impressive versatility and performance at an attractive price point.

Where to Buy? CWWK N355 2x10GbE Box Router/NAS ($304 AliExpress) – HERE CWWK N355 2x10GbE Firewall Box U.S ($460 Amazon) – HERE CWWK N355 2x10GbE Firewall Box U.K (£304 Amazon) – HERE CWWK N355 MITX NVMe NAS ($184-295 AliExpress) – HERE DIY N355 NAS Products ($254-349 Amazon) – HERE

The CWWK N355 features a robust industrial design, with an all-metal chassis that acts as a heat sink, efficiently dissipating heat from critical components. The exterior is entirely metal, including the base panel, which features mesh ventilation to enhance airflow. A top-mounted active cooling fan ensures consistent airflow across the CPU and networking components, preventing thermal throttling under sustained workloads.

Internally, copper heat plates are placed over the CPU and 10GbE controllers, allowing for direct heat transfer to the chassis. This cooling system is highly effective, maintaining temperatures within safe limits even under heavy network and storage loads. During testing, the device remained at an average of 50-55°C under full load, with the fan producing minimal noise.

The cooling implementation makes the CWWK N355 a viable option for extended use in high-performance NAS, virtualization, or firewall applications where thermal efficiency is crucial. Given its mix of powerful networking features, ample connectivity, and storage options, this device has the potential to serve a broader range of applications than just routing. However, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses is crucial before repurposing it for a NAS setup.

One of the standout features of the CWWK N355 is its impressive network connectivity. Equipped with dual 10GbE SFP+ ports and two 2.5GbE i226V LAN ports, it offers significantly more bandwidth than traditional consumer NAS devices.

These high-speed connections enable rapid file transfers, efficient virtualization networking, and multi-user simultaneous access without bottlenecks.

It also includes two M.2 NVMe slots and a SATA 3.0 port, making it highly flexible for storage configurations. This means users can integrate fast NVMe storage while still having the option to include traditional SATA drives for cost-effective capacity expansion.

The aluminum chassis with active cooling enhances its thermal efficiency, ensuring stable operation even under load, a crucial aspect for maintaining performance in continuous 24/7 operation.

The N355 CPU, an Alder Lake-N processor, brings 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 1.8GHz and a boost up to 3.8GHz. This processor is designed for efficiency while maintaining a respectable level of performance for various workloads.

It also features integrated Intel UHD graphics, which allows it to handle lightweight GPU tasks such as video decoding, remote desktop applications, and low-power graphical processing.

The DDR5 SO-DIMM slot supports up to 48GB RAM, although some listings mention 32GB as the maximum. This expanded memory capacity is particularly beneficial for virtualization, allowing users to run multiple lightweight VMs, containers, and even a Plex media server with modest hardware-accelerated transcoding capabilities.

Component	Specification
Processor	Intel Alder Lake-N N355, 8 Cores / 8 Threads, 1.8GHz base, 3.8GHz boost
Graphics	Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Memory	1 x DDR5 SO-DIMM slot, up to 48GB (some listings state 32GB max)
Storage	2 x M.2 NVMe (one requires adapter), 1 x SATA 3.0 (no internal mounting)
Networking	2 x 10GbE SFP+, 2 x 2.5GbE i226V LAN
Power Consumption	21-22W idle, up to 36W under load
Cooling	Aluminum chassis with active cooling fan
Ports	1 x Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2, 4 x USB 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.0, TF Card Slot
Operating System Support	Windows 11 Pro, OPNsense, Linux, ESXi, OpenWrt
Dimensions	12.7 x 17.8 x 5.5 cm
Weight	1.3 kg

The combination of efficient CPU performance and expandable RAM makes it versatile, but users should be aware of its limitations when handling resource-intensive applications.

However, storage expansion comes with some challenges. While the device technically supports two M.2 NVMe drives, only one slot is a standard 2280 interface. The second slot requires an adapter, which is included, but adds complexity to installation. This additional requirement may be a concern for users who are less experienced with hardware modifications or prefer simpler plug-and-play configurations.

The SATA drive support is somewhat limited—while the port is available, there is no dedicated internal space for mounting a 2.5-inch drive inside the enclosure, meaning external mounting is necessary. This lack of internal SATA mounting may be a dealbreaker for those who prefer a more integrated and clutter-free build. While external enclosures or adapters could be used to house SATA drives, it introduces additional complexity and potential cable management issues.

Power consumption is another area of concern. Under idle conditions, the device draws 21-22W, which is quite high compared to traditional NAS appliances. Many consumer NAS systems are designed to run efficiently at around 10W to 15W when idle, making this unit significantly more power-hungry when not under load.

Under load, with 10GbE connections active, VMs running, and storage drives in use, power consumption reaches 36W. While this is still within reasonable limits for a device offering high-speed networking and multi-core processing, it is something to consider for users prioritizing energy efficiency. Over time, the additional power draw may add up, especially for those running multiple devices in a home or small business setup. If power efficiency is a critical factor, other lower-power options might be preferable.

Performance-wise, the M.2 NVMe drives achieve read speeds of up to 720MB/s and write speeds of 690MB/s.

While SATA performance peaks at around 200MB/s with a standard HDD. These speeds are respectable but fall short of fully utilizing the available 10GbE networking potential.

While this is acceptable for most home NAS applications, the 82599ES 10GbE controller is a notable bottleneck. It is an older PCIe Gen2 x4-based controller (in this deployment at least), which limits full 10GbE speeds.

In testing, even with dual 10GbE connections active, network transfers maxed out at around 600-700Mbps per link, rather than saturating the full 10GbE bandwidth on each of them.

This suggests that while it is capable of handling high-speed transfers, it is not the ideal choice for users who need to maximize 10GbE connectivity for large-scale data transfers or enterprise workloads.

While the CWWK N355 offers excellent networking and processing power, its relatively aging 10GbE controller, high idle power consumption, and limited internal storage space make it less ideal for an all-purpose NAS. However, it excels as a high-performance firewall/router, Proxmox host, or Plex server for users who can work around these limitations.

Users interested in setting up an advanced home lab or small business server might find this device appealing due to its networking flexibility, processing capability, and virtualization potential. While it lacks native software optimization found in dedicated NAS brands, those comfortable with manual setup and open-source NAS software will find it a capable and adaptable device.

For those seeking a dedicated NAS solution with full 10GbE performance, an ITX motherboard with PCIe 3.0 slots and dedicated storage expansion might be a better alternative. Such options would provide greater flexibility for storage expansion, more efficient networking solutions, and overall better optimization for NAS workloads. But if you’re looking for a compact, all-in-one networking and storage device, the CWWK N355 is an impressive contender.

Just be mindful of the legacy components and potential bottlenecks before making your final decision. With the right configuration and expectations, it can serve as a cost-effective and powerful addition to a home lab or small business network setup.

PROs of the CWWK N355 DIY 10GbE Box

CONs of the CWWK N355 DIY 10GbE Box

High-Speed Networking: Equipped with dual 10GbE SFP+ ports and two 2.5GbE LAN ports, providing excellent connectivity for advanced networking setups. Expandable Storage: Features two M.2 NVMe slots (one requiring an adapter) and a SATA 3.0 port, allowing for versatile storage configurations. Efficient Alder Lake-N CPU: The Intel N355 (8C/8T, up to 3.8GHz) offers efficient performance for firewall applications, Proxmox, lightweight NAS, and media servers. DDR5 Memory Support: Supports up to 48GB DDR5 RAM, enabling smooth multitasking, virtualization, and Docker/containerized environments. Robust Build and Cooling: Full aluminum chassis acts as a heat sink, with a top-mounted active cooling fan for effective thermal management. Wide OS Compatibility: Works with Windows 11 Pro, Linux distributions, ESXi, OPNsense, pfSense, OpenWrt, and TrueNAS, making it highly flexible. Compact and Power-Efficient: Small form factor and 15W TDP CPU make it space-saving and relatively low-power compared to traditional rack-mounted alternatives.

Aging 10GbE Controller: The Intel 82599ES 10GbE chipset is outdated, limiting maximum network speeds and performance efficiency in high-bandwidth workloads. Limited SATA Storage Options: While it includes a SATA 3.0 port, there is no internal mounting space for a 2.5-inch drive, requiring external solutions. Higher Idle Power Draw: Consumes 21-22W at idle, which is higher than dedicated NAS devices, potentially affecting long-term energy costs.

 

Where to Buy? CWWK N355 2x10GbE Box Router/NAS ($304 AliExpress) – HERE CWWK N355 2x10GbE Firewall Box U.S ($460 Amazon) – HERE CWWK N355 2x10GbE Firewall Box U.K (£304 Amazon) – HERE CWWK N355 MITX NVMe NAS ($184-295 AliExpress) – HERE DIY N355 NAS Products ($254-349 Amazon) – HERE

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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

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Visiting Minisforum’s China Office – What Did I See and Are Minisforum Legit?

As part of an extended trip to Shenzhen to explore the operations of Chinese hardware manufacturers, I had the opportunity to tour the headquarters and production facilities of Minisforum.

Known primarily for their compact desktop PCs, Minisforum has grown into a recognizable name in the mini PC sector, especially among users seeking unique form factors and high-spec internals.

My visit was independently arranged—not funded or sponsored by Minisforum—and I was given broad access to their facilities, with the only restriction being a small section of their R&D operation involving future product development. This level of transparency allowed for a thorough, hands-on look at their operations, from production lines to internal workflows.

The visit came about through direct outreach. After arriving in China, I contacted several companies I regularly report on and review. Minisforum was among the few who responded affirmatively, agreeing to host a tour with very little advance notice. On the morning of the visit, I was picked up by three Minisforum team members, including their livestream and media lead, who also served as my translator for the day.

The visit took place across several floors of their Shenzhen headquarters, located in a commercial building they moved into in 2021, having launched the brand in 2018. They estimated they had around 300 staff globally, and based on what I saw, 150 to 170 people were active onsite, spread across administration, production, and support.

The headquarters occupied a full floor of the building, and it was apparent that expansion had been part of their strategy when they relocated in 2021. Though some office spaces were unoccupied, most of the floors were operational, with logistics and packaging activities ongoing. I observed pallets and packaging materials prepared for distribution, and a fair amount of sitting stock awaiting shipping. The layout was structured but busy, and of all the factory and office environments I toured during my trip, this one was arguably the cleanest and most organized. That said, I fully acknowledge that all facilities likely prepared for my visit to some extent.

The core office space was divided into five main sections: regional (domestic) sales, international sales (including platforms like Amazon), marketing and communications, product development, and web/app support. One notable area was their in-house video production studio used for livestreams and YouTube content.

It was professionally equipped and a far cry from many DIY setups I’ve seen elsewhere. The R&D section, while smaller in headcount, was well-defined, with product managers assigned to own specific hardware designs. Their approach appeared to give individual developers significant autonomy, from concept to execution.

Minisforum’s production line blended automation with human-led processes. Compared to other factories I toured in Shenzhen, theirs leaned more heavily toward manual labor, with an approximate 70/30 split in favor of human involvement. Tasks such as component placement, assembly, and basic testing were handled by line workers, while machines were used for stress tests and basic automation.

Staff wore ESD-safe gear like anti-static wrist straps, and their stations showed signs of regular use, such as floor wear and desktop clutter. There was no visible use of airlock or dust-control chambers, unlike in some other facilities, which may reflect a different internal standard or assessment of risk.

Minisforum included several test-specific environments within their production pipeline, which were not present in other factories I visited.

These included an aging room, where products were stress-tested under load over extended periods; a mute room, used to measure noise output under different system conditions.

Aand a shock testing room, used to simulate shipping and logistical handling stress.

These rooms provided an additional layer of quality control and indicated a focus on post-assembly validation. It is unclear how many units are tested this way—it may be based on statistical sampling—but the presence of these facilities in-house suggests a desire to validate performance prior to distribution.

The R&D tour provided insight into how Minisforum develops their hardware. While I could not film certain prototype designs, I was shown internal presentations, CAD models, and development slides covering current and future projects. Minisforum stated that all design IP is developed in-house and not resold or licensed out.

This was consistent with what I saw: unique PCB layouts, chassis concepts, and airflow strategies not commonly replicated by other brands. According to staff, each product is led by a dedicated product manager responsible for feature planning, design iterations, and incorporating customer feedback from forums and surveys. While I will cover this in more depth in a dedicated piece, one highlight was a preview of their upcoming NAS product line. Minisforum’s modular approach includes optional upgrades like M.2 to NVMe expansion cards and vertical mounting kits designed for optimal cooling. The design team emphasized airflow challenges when scaling NVMe bays and showed plans for vertical chassis configurations to help with thermal dissipation. Their willingness to walk through product iterations, including some early failures, was appreciated. I was also shown how they collect and incorporate customer usage data into next-generation revisions—a refreshing level of engagement with the post-sales cycle.

Throughout the tour, there were signs of an internal culture focused on autonomy and personalization. Employee desks in the sales and marketing areas included personal decorations, small toys, and hobby-related items—a contrast to the uniform, sterile environments in some tech companies. Staff I interacted with expressed general satisfaction, though naturally, any factory visit is likely to showcase a best-case scenario. That said, the absence of NDAs or filming restrictions during the majority of the tour does suggest a level of confidence in how operations are run. Meetings were conducted openly, and even during informal interviews with staff, the tone remained consistent: proud but not overly rehearsed.

Minisforum presented a distinctly integrated model of hardware development. Based on what I observed, they appear to retain full ownership of their hardware IP, from motherboard schematics to chassis design. Their hardware does not seem to be rebranded or redistributed through external labels, which distinguishes them from companies that act more as OEM aggregators or rely on ODMs. While their mini PCs are priced slightly higher than some competitors, that premium may reflect the additional effort in R&D, custom design, and modular flexibility.

Furthermore, Minisforum seems to focus on a smaller product catalog with longer development cycles, suggesting a strategy that prioritizes refinement over market saturation. In contrast to other manufacturers that may sell their designs through multiple storefronts or aliases (such as Beelink or Geekom), Minisforum appears to retain control over both design and distribution, offering a more vertically integrated approach. While no factory visit can fully capture day-to-day operations, this visit offered a grounded, independent view into how one of the more visible Chinese mini PC brands functions behind the scenes.

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Synology Explain WHY They Changed Drive Support and Verification in 2025 NAS

During a recent visit to Taipei for Computex 2025, I took the opportunity to visit Synology’s headquarters and speak directly with company representatives about one of the most discussed and divisive topics in the NAS community today — the company’s increasingly strict stance on hard drive compatibility. With the rollout of Synology’s latest generation of hardware, users have been met with significant limitations on the use of third-party drives, prompting concern over reduced flexibility, potential e-waste, and the future direction of Synology’s hardware ecosystem. This article provides a can overview of that visit, beginning with the HQ tour, but mainly it is about putting several big questions users have about the brand’s change in support of Seagate, WD, etc on their 2025 devices.

Four core questions — based on direct community feedback — were put forward, addressing the motivation, risks, and future implications of Synology’s current drive support policy. Each answer is presented exactly as delivered. Note, this article is not sponsored by Synology and they have no control over the editorial stance and output! For users, partners, and industry observers alike, understanding these policy shifts is essential for making informed decisions about Synology systems moving forward.

Touring the Synology Headquarters

The Synology headquarters tour took place during a coordinated visit arranged alongside the Computex 2025 trade event. Approximately 30 to 40 individuals were in attendance, a mix that included official Synology partners, resellers, independent media, and technology commentators. The tour began with a structured company overview presentation outlining Synology’s operational history, business units, and market positioning.

While much of this information was familiar to long-term observers, it served to reinforce the company providing integrated storage and data management solutions. The presentation also included a brief overview of Synology’s global distribution and the evolving structure of its enterprise product lines.

Attendees were then guided through various areas of the facility, which covered several floors within a shared building. Synology does not occupy the entire structure, but the portions shown during the tour were substantial, comprising office sections, collaborative workspaces, logistics coordination areas, and support-related operations. Notably, many desks were temporarily unoccupied due to staff presence at Computex’s Nangang Exhibition Center.

Nonetheless, the offices remained populated with active terminals and systems undergoing live testing.

A significant portion of the tour focused on the environmental and durability testing facilities, including designated zones for acoustic profiling, thermal analysis, and dust resilience. The diversity of units being tested suggested coverage across multiple device classes, including both rackmount and desktop models.

The most extensive portion of the tour was the dedicated test and burn-in area. This floor was almost entirely devoted to long-term performance and diagnostic evaluations. Numerous Synology NAS units — some dating back to the early 2010s — were in continuous operation, either running synthetic workloads or undergoing compatibility assessments with the current DSM operating system.

The presence of so many legacy devices in active testing underscored the company’s emphasis on software longevity and cross-generational hardware support. However, it also provided a contrast to Synology’s new strict verification policies, especially given the mixed hardware environments visible during testing. The tour was led by ZP Kao, Sales Director at Synology, and Chad Chiang, Regional Manager for the UK and Germany, who offered clarification and responded to several direct inquiries during the walkthrough.

Why Has Synology Changed Its HDD Support Policy? Questions and Answers

Questions I put to Synology about their change in policy regarding verifying and supporting drive media being used on their 2025 and later series of NAS devices. I based these on the comments and suggestions from videos on the YouTube channel and comments on previous articles. I am under no illusions that these changes by Synology in their drive support policies have financial justifications (ranging from Support efficiency and it’s financial overhead, to the simple profitability of prioritizing their own labelled firmware optimized storage media choices over those of other brands), but I wanted to know if these were the only reasons for this? What other reasons could Synology provide to support this large and unpopular move. Thank you once again to Chad Chiang for taking the time to answer these questions.

Note – for a better understanding of the current DSM Support of Unverified media, as well as test scenarios detailing each setup and how DSM handles it, you can read it HERE in my Test Article.

How has the verification process changed for which drives you can use on Synology systems moving forward? And are there drive options from WD and Seagate currently undergoing support verification?

Answer – At Synology, we constantly reflect on a core question: Why do people choose a NAS? We believe the answer lies in the need for secure, reliable, and hassle-free data storage. This belief has guided our mission for over a decade. When analyzing our support history, the data clearly shows that systems using Synology-branded drives experience 40% fewer issues compared to those with third-party HDDs. This insight underscores the importance of using thoroughly tested drives. As for which third-party vendors are currently undergoing drive verification, we’re unable to disclose details. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend reaching out directly to the respective manufacturers.

The response positions Synology’s verification changes as a reliability-focused initiative and smooth platform running as the chief reasoning for them, referencing internal data that suggests a 40% reduction in support issues when Synology-branded drives are used. However, as mentioned previously, the statement does not provide supporting metrics such as sample size, timeframes, or specific failure modes, making it difficult to assess the scope or significance of this claim. I do not doubt that it is true, but without the X/Y and details of how this result was achieved, we are only getting half the story here.  The policy shift is framed as a precautionary measure aimed at minimizing user disruption, but the absence of transparency regarding ongoing verifications with WD or Seagate limits clarity for users seeking alternatives – which is why users are seeing this more as a means for the brand to increase profitability in the 2025 series as a bundled utility purchase – not as a means of system stability.

Ultimately, discussing the technical standards or benchmarks involved in the verification process in paramount here. It largely confirms that responsibility for future third-party compatibility lies with the drive manufacturers themselves, effectively shifting the onus of transparency to them. While it is understandable that Synology might want to mitigate support complexity, the lack of specificity about how the verification criteria have evolved or what steps vendors must follow leaves key questions unanswered for both users and third-party storage providers. I reached out to representatives from Seagate and WD to see if they could elaborate further on this new media side verification process with their respective NAS/Server class media – neither was able to provide further details at this time.

UPDATED 07-05-25 = Added Unverified HDD and SSD (Migrated) Storage Pool RAID Repair, RAID POOL Expansion and Hot Spare Tests. Right now, the following is what works and what does not (between pre-2025 Series and the 2025 Series that is releasing now):

Feature / Function	Pre-2025 Synology NAS<br>(e.g., DS1821+, DS920+, DS923+)	2025 Synology NAS<br>(e.g., DS1825+, DS925+, DS1525+)
DSM Installation – Verified Drives	Full support	Full support
DSM Installation – Non-Verified Drives	Allowed (with warnings)	Blocked completely
Drive Migration (Non-Verified Drives)	Fully functional, minor alerts	Works, but shows persistent warnings
Storage Pool Creation – Verified Drives	Fully supported	Fully supported
Storage Pool Creation – Non-Verified Drives	Allowed (with warnings)	Blocked
Storage Pool Expansion – Verified Drives	Fully supported	Fully supported
Storage Pool Expansion – Non-Verified Drives	Allowed (mixed arrays supported)	Blocked – drives flagged as incompatible
Hot Spare Assignment – Verified Drives	Fully supported	Fully supported
Hot Spare Assignment – Non-Verified Drives	Allowed	Blocked
RAID Recovery – Verified Drives	Supported	Supported
RAID Recovery – Non-Verified Drives	Supported	Blocked – system will not rebuild with unverified media
M.2 NVMe Cache – Synology SSDs	Supported	Supported
M.2 NVMe Cache – 3rd Party SSDs	Supported	Blocked
M.2 NVMe Storage Pools – Synology SSDs	Not supported	Supported
M.2 NVMe Storage Pools – 3rd Party SSDs	Not supported	Blocked
SMART Monitoring – Verified Drives	Full support	Full support
SMART Monitoring – Non-Verified Drives	Full support	Limited or blocked (TBC)
Storage Manager Alerts – Non-Verified Drives	Warnings, dismissible	Persistent, cannot be cleared
Overall Compatibility Flexibility	High – mix-and-match drives allowed	Low – walled-garden enforcement

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Users are able to migrate existing storage arrays that feature Unverified/unsupported drive media in previous Synology systems into 2025 Plus series devices and still use DSM services – however once they do so, they are unable to use the same model ID of drives to perform RAID recovery, RAID expansion or introduced a hot spare, unless that drive is on the verified drive list. Why is this?

Answer- Advanced operations such as RAID recovery, expansion, or hot spare assignment are technically intensive and carry a higher risk of data loss if inconsistencies arise. Drives that haven’t been validated through Synology’s verification process may behave unpredictably under stress, impacting array stability or performance. For this reason, support for these functions is limited to verified drives—a precaution designed to safeguard user data and maintain long-term system reliability.

So, this answer outlines Synology’s rationale for restricting critical RAID operations on unverified drives and It emphasizes the increased risk associated with advanced storage operations, particularly when performed on drives that may not have been tested under stress or fault conditions. The justification focuses on data integrity and system reliability, suggesting that verified drives have undergone stress testing scenarios that others have not. However, the lack of granularity in what defines “unpredictable behavior” makes it difficult to independently evaluate the severity or frequency of these issues. Much like the statistics point earlier, this seems a remarkable stretch in terms of reaction to what many users would consider a very, very low % risk factor. Equally, though there is an argument that some drive media is less suitable for NAS usage (eg the WD Red SMR drives, desktop single drive use media like Seagate Barracuda and high power draw HDDs/SSDs in some cases), these make up a very small % of drive media in the market and using this as a reasoning to effectively bar the continued support of drive media that has been supported/used in Synology server use over the last 2 decades to prevent RAID recovery and Expansion in the latest gen for those carrying them over seems insane overkill.

The policy effectively limits upgradability and flexibility in mixed-drive environments. While it is technically reasonable to restrict risky operations on unvalidated components, the ability to migrate but not expand or rebuild a RAID introduces a half-measure — allowing users to enter unsupported configurations while restricting them mid-cycle. The result is a system state that may appear functional at first but ultimately lacks key functionality unless users conform to the verified list. For long-term users upgrading from older systems, this shift can lead to unexpected limitations without adequate warning, particularly in small or home office deployments. The messaging has been poor and though I made a video about these limitations (embedded above), there is practically no other clear and transparent information about this online (with incongruous detailson the Synology Knowledge base that could stand to be a lot clearer and louder).

HOT TAKE, and hear me out – If Synology do not allow support of RAID repair/Expansion on drives that have been migrated over from older NAS systems where the drives WERE originally supported (unless they use 2025 verified drives) because of reasons of stability, I have a somewhat extreme suggestion. As unpopular as it might have been, Synology should have just BARRED the support of migration from older generation Synology NAS devices with unverified drives entirely. I personally think they should have allowed for RAID repair/Expansion of unverified drives, but if they are going to pursue this for reasons of system stability, they should have committed to this fully and not allowed this grey area with migration. As it just looks bad for the brand, as means of ensuring people can upgrade/remain in the ecosystem, but then have limited scalability when those older drives require replacement/growth.

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Were pre-populated Synology NAS devices considered, given the strict verified support stance that this new Synology hardware generation contains?

Answer – Regarding pre-populated NAS solutions, there hasn’t been significant internal discussion or a formal strategy around this model. As such, I don’t have a concrete answer at this time. The focus remains on ensuring that any storage media used—whether user-installed or bundled—is fully verified to meet Synology’s reliability standards.

Not much to unpack here. It makes sense. I imagine they DID discuss this as an option (as they are already engaging with this with systems like the Beestation), but at least for now, it seems off the table. As unpopular as this might have been, in some ways it could have solved a lot of this friction for some users. Provide the 2025 PLUS series as an empty/enclosure-only solution with similar compatibility as the 2024 and earlier generation – but then also supply several pre-populated options that feature Synology drive media as standard. However, that would be a different discussion entirely (eg logistics, SKUs, viability, ROI by offering this alongside flexible options).

---

Can you provide example(s) of critical system issues that using unverified drives caused, that were the tipping point for this new strict HDD support policy?

Examples of what stepped up our verification process moving forward:

Performance Issues: Unverified drives may function under light workloads but can suffer serious performance drops (e.g., IOPS decline) under multi-user access or when running demanding services like virtualization, backup, or databases. This can lead to poor user experience or service disruptions (e.g., iSCSI timeouts).

Stability Risks: Without thorough testing, unverified drives are more prone to failures under stress conditions such as unexpected power loss or long-duration file transfers—leading to timeouts, reboot failures, or data integrity issues in high-load or long-term operations.

Compatibility Problems: Drives not validated for compatibility may show unstable behavior with certain NAS controllers, resulting in drive drops, RAID instability, or data access interruptions over time.

Advanced Feature Failures: Unverified drives may fail during operations like SMART testing or Secure Erase, especially after unexpected power outages. Some drives may not respond properly under frequent access or specific command sets, affecting system stability.

Drive Failures Under High Load or Density: Some drives may become unresponsive under high data density or I/O intensity, with issues persisting even after a reset.

The examples provided by Synology highlight a variety of operational issues associated with unverified drives, most of which relate to performance degradation, system instability, or failure of advanced features under stress. These scenarios focus on workloads involving sustained I/O, power fluctuations, and controller-level interactions. In isolation, many of the issues described are plausible for lower-tier or unsuitable drive models, particularly in demanding or enterprise-like environments. That said, that are very low margins (eg 0.01% or lower) when you look at the traditional deployment of many Synology NAS solution in the Plus series. Again though, the scale and frequency of these issues remain unclear. There is no indication of how widespread such failures are across Synology’s user base, nor whether they represent rare edge cases or common occurrences. The examples also apply more logically to enterprise or high-density configurations, whereas the same strict policies now affect all tiers — including two-bay and four-bay systems used by home and prosumer users. Without concrete statistics or clearer thresholds, it is difficult to assess whether these issues justify the breadth of the policy. The policy appears to target potential worst-case scenarios, but may have broader consequences for user flexibility than the risk profile necessarily warrants.

Additional Information and Details from the MyBroadband Article

Further context on Synology’s new drive compatibility policy was provided in an interview between MyBroadband journalist Daniel Puchert (click to read) and Michael Chang, Synology’s Regional Sales Manager. The discussion reinforced many of the points raised during the HQ visit, while also offering additional information into the motivations behind Synology’s stricter approach to drive support in their latest generation of NAS systems. Chang explained that Synology’s primary objective was to ensure product reliability and reduce system-level faults that were increasingly traced back to third-party hard drives. According to Chang, complaints received by Synology often involved third-party drive issues, yet Synology would still be held accountable by users due to their role as the NAS provider. This prompted the company to centralize responsibility and tighten control over supported hardware configurations. While Synology-branded drives are currently the only models certified, Chang noted that other vendors are being invited to participate in the compatibility validation program — provided they meet the same testing standards.

(In the case of the NAS drives) “..because Synology’s product would typically facilitate the usage of third-party hard drives, it would also be the scapegoat for any faults with the entire system.”

“..complaints received by Synology regarding issues relating to its NAS devices were most often caused by faulty hard drives.

“severe storage anomalies have decreased by up to 88%” for hard drive models that have adopted its hard drive compatibility policy, compared to older models.”

“We still welcome third parties to join Synology’s ecosystem and have invited vendors to join our validation program,”

Michael Chang, Synology Regional Sales Manager – full article HERE

The article also mentioned that Synology-certified drives undergo over 7,000 hours of testing, and systems using those drives reportedly experience 40% fewer failures than those using uncertified media. Additionally, Synology claims that severe storage anomalies have dropped by up to 88% in systems following its compatibility policy. Although Chang confirmed that third-party compatibility may expand in the future, it will only do so under strict adherence to Synology’s internal benchmarks. These statements align with Synology’s position during the HQ tour, further emphasizing a shift toward a closed, highly controlled ecosystem that prioritizes consistent performance over hardware flexibility.

Synology and HDD Support and Verification – Conclusion and the Long Term

My biggest issue with all this is that, almost certainly, we are going to see Seagate, WD, Toshiba and more slow (slooooooooowly) appear on the compatibility lists for a number of the 2025 generation of devices over the coming months. So, what was all this for? The PR damage and likely early sales damage of the Synolgoy 2025 Series because of this change of support I would estimate is going to be pretty substantial – and all the reports and reactions to this online are not going to go away as soon as a Seagate Ironwolf or WD Red drive appears on the support lists. Also, Synology work on these devices for a very, very long time before launch – why is all this happening now – and not before launch. The cynic in me wants to just assume it was pure profitability and that Synology want to maximize profits, and if when this does begin to U-Trun ,that the brand can say that it was the plan all along. But whether that is true or not, the damage to the brand in the eyes of a substantial % of their long term fans is notable, and with many more players in the market (UniFi, QNAP, UGREEN and more) launching new products in Q3 and Q4 – is this all going to be a gamble by the brand that ends up costing them more than just leaving the support status quo where it was? Only time will tell.

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Synology vs QNAP NAS – Which Should You Buy in 2025?

When choosing a NAS solution in 2025, two brands dominate the conversation: Synology and QNAP. These Taiwan-based companies have evolved their offerings significantly over the years, adapting to changing user needs in backup, multimedia, virtualization, and enterprise storage. Synology, with a strong emphasis on software polish and ecosystem integration, continues to appeal to users who prioritize stability and consistency. QNAP, by contrast, leans into offering higher-spec hardware, customization, and flexibility, targeting tech-savvy users who want granular control over their system. This article explores how the two compare across hardware, storage capabilities, software platforms, security, pricing, and overall value. Both Synology and QNAP share a lot of baseline features: multi-platform support across Windows, Mac, and Linux; mobile apps for Android and iOS; web-based GUIs; encryption; multi-user access; and strong community ecosystems. Yet important distinctions emerge as you look deeper. These differences often boil down to Synology delivering a more consistent, “appliance-like” experience, while QNAP offers broader hardware choices and wider compatibility. Neither brand is universally better, but each fits different user priorities. Let’s break down how Synology and QNAP stack up in detail for 2025.

Synology vs QNAP NAS – Hardware Comparison

In terms of hardware variety and specification, QNAP clearly maintains an advantage in 2025. QNAP offers a wider range of NAS models across every price tier, providing more options for users looking for features like 2.5GbE or 10GbE ports, Thunderbolt connectivity, PCIe expandability, and support for AI or GPU cards. Many QNAP systems at even mid-tier levels offer multi-core CPUs, 2.5GbE as a minimum, and M.2 NVMe slots for caching or storage pools. Synology, while offering a hardware range from ARM-based entry units to Xeon-powered enterprise models, typically emphasizes efficiency and stability over raw horsepower, often shipping systems with lower-core-count processors and 1GbE networking by default.

However, Synology’s hardware strategy is tightly coupled to its software-first philosophy. Devices are designed to maximize compatibility, power efficiency, and seamless operation with DSM. Some newer 2025 Synology models do offer improvements — such as M.2 NVMe storage pools and optional 10GbE upgrades — but their pace remains slower compared to QNAP’s frequent hardware refresh cycles. For users whose priority is high performance, customization, or bleeding-edge hardware, QNAP offers far more compelling options. For those seeking low-power, quiet, turnkey systems, Synology still provides highly reliable appliances.

Synology vs QNAP NAS – Storage Services and Scalability 

Storage capabilities represent a growing area of divergence. Synology’s storage ecosystem emphasizes stability and data integrity through Btrfs file systems, SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID), fast RAID rebuilds, and snapshot technology. However, Synology has dramatically tightened its drive compatibility rules from 2025 onwards, particularly in the Plus series and higher, limiting users to certified Synology drives for initialization. This hardline approach restricts flexibility, as users cannot freely install third-party HDDs or SSDs. Meanwhile, users still benefit from technologies like SHR, making mixed-drive RAID arrays easier to manage, though concerns remain about SHR’s future viability under Synology’s evolving drive policies.

	SERVICE	SYNOLOGY	QNAP	Notes
File Services	SMB, AFP, NFS			Cross-platform sharing
	WebDAV			Remote access
	FTP/FTPS			Standard protocols
	Rsync/Remote Sync			Sync across systems
RAID & Storage	Basic, JBOD, RAID 0/1/5/6/10			Core RAID support
	SHR (Hybrid RAID)			Synology-exclusive
	Qtier Auto-Tiering			QNAP-exclusive SSD/HDD tiering
	ZFS Support	(DSM 7.2+ select models)	(QuTS hero)	Synology uses Btrfs more widely
	Storage Pools			Pool-based management
	Thin Provisioning			On supported file systems
	Storage Snapshots	(Btrfs-based)	(ZFS/ext4-based)	Both support snapshot schedules
	Inline Deduplication	(Btrfs)	(ZFS)	Both support dedup, method differs
	SSD Cache (Read/Write)			Model-dependent
	Encryption (AES-256)			Volume/folder-level encryption
Backup & Sync	Hyper Backup / HBS3	(Hyper Backup)	(Hybrid Backup Sync 3)	Functionally equivalent
	Active Backup for Business			Enterprise-grade backup (free)
	Snapshot Replication			Data versioning support
	Cloud Sync			Multi-cloud sync integration

QNAP’s storage flexibility is far greater. Users can utilize almost any NAS-rated or server-class drive from vendors like Seagate, Toshiba, and WD, without vendor lock-in. Beyond standard RAID levels, QNAP offers Qtier for intelligent auto-tiering between SSDs and HDDs and supports ZFS through its QuTS hero operating system. ZFS integration introduces enterprise-grade features such as inline deduplication, compression, triple-parity RAID options, and even faster rebuilds. Expansion is another strong suit for QNAP, with broad support for external expansion enclosures over USB and PCIe, while Synology supports far fewer expansion units. In short, QNAP offers a more powerful, flexible storage environment but demands more technical knowledge to manage effectively.

Synology DSM vs QNAP QTS/QuTS  – Software Compared

Synology’s DSM (DiskStation Manager) remains the benchmark for NAS operating systems in terms of polish, consistency, and ease of use. Its streamlined UI, consistent app design, and stable system management tools make it highly user-friendly. DSM’s integration with Synology Drive, Hyper Backup, Active Backup for Business, and its Office suite provide turnkey productivity and backup solutions. However, Synology is moving increasingly toward a closed ecosystem, prioritizing first-party apps and services over broader third-party integration. Applications like Surveillance Station remain best-in-class, but recent trends — such as discontinuing Video Station — indicate Synology’s increasing control over its ecosystem.

QNAP’s QTS and QuTS hero systems offer greater flexibility and third-party support at the cost of consistency. Users can deploy a much wider range of apps, including those for AI recognition, media streaming, and backup tasks, often with deeper customization options. QNAP’s app ecosystem embraces both QNAP-native and third-party applications, with tools like HybridMount and Hybrid Backup Sync offering robust cloud and backup integrations.

However, design inconsistencies and a more complex setup process make QNAP platforms better suited to technically proficient users. QNAP systems offer more functionality out of the box but can feel less cohesive than Synology’s more curated environment.

Synology vs QNAP NAS – Security 

Synology continues to lead in NAS security in 2025. The company’s multi-layered approach — including an in-house Security Response Team, bug bounty programs, pen-testing partnerships, and rapid patching policies — maintains its reputation as one of the most secure NAS ecosystems. Security Advisor, SSL certificate management, encrypted folders, and proactive system audits are standard across DSM systems. Remote access via QuickConnect is tightly controlled to minimize exposure. This emphasis on hardening and responding quickly to vulnerabilities makes Synology a strong choice for users prioritizing security with minimal manual intervention.

	Service	Synology	QNAP	Notes
Security & Access	2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)			User-level protection
	VPN Server (OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP)			Standard features
	Firewall + IP Blocking			Security policy management
	SSL Certificate Management			Let’s Encrypt, custom certs
	Security Advisor			Built-in vulnerability scanner

QNAP has made substantial strides in recent years to bolster its security posture, responding to earlier criticisms following ransomware incidents. The introduction of its own PSIRT team, participation in Pwn2Own, and improvements to myQNAPcloud services represent real progress. However, QNAP’s security tools, like Security Counselor, often need to be manually installed and configured. While they now offer multi-factor authentication and SSL options, the user experience around setting up and maintaining a secure environment still lags slightly behind Synology. Power users comfortable with managing network-level protections can achieve strong security on QNAP, but casual users may find Synology’s default setup safer out of the box.

Synology vs QNAP NAS – Price Point and Value 

QNAP consistently offers better raw hardware value for the price across its product range. A mid-tier QNAP NAS typically features higher-core CPUs, 2.5GbE or 10GbE networking, and expandability features like PCIe slots and multiple M.2 NVMe slots — features that, with Synology, are only available at much higher price points.

Additionally, QNAP’s lack of strict HDD compatibility listing (as currently the case for the Synology 2025 series, at the time of writing) and broader compatibility with storage and memory components can significantly reduce the total cost of ownership for DIY-minded users. Synology’s pricing, while generally higher, reflects its software development investment and the overall polish of its systems.

Buyers are paying for a more turnkey experience, better documentation, and consistent performance across the board. Moreover, Synology’s inclusion of powerful free tools like Active Backup for Business and Synology Drive adds enterprise-grade features without additional licensing costs, which in some cases offsets the hardware premium. Nonetheless, for users whose priority is maximum hardware performance and component freedom, QNAP usually offers a stronger return on investment.

Synology vs QNAP NAS – Conclusion and Verdict 

Choosing between Synology and QNAP in 2025 depends largely on user priorities. Synology remains the best choice for users seeking a polished, consistent, stable, and secure NAS experience. Its streamlined DSM platform, reliable first-party apps, and strong support infrastructure make it ideal for small businesses, prosumers, and general users who want a “set it and forget it” solution. However, Synology’s movement toward hardware and software lock-in may be off-putting to users who value flexibility or those unwilling to buy only Synology-branded components. QNAP, by contrast, excels in offering more powerful hardware, greater configuration freedom, and broader third-party app support. Users who want to customize, expand, virtualize, and maximize their system’s capabilities — and who are comfortable managing more complex setups — will find QNAP to be the more empowering platform. While its software consistency and security history lag slightly behind Synology, the gap has narrowed considerably. Ultimately, Synology is the stronger pick for users valuing simplicity and long-term stability, while QNAP offers more opportunities for those willing to trade simplicity for flexibility and raw performance.

NAS Solutions	NAS Solutions
+ Better Software (In almost every respect!) + Much Better Global Support Presence + More business desirable + Larger Range of solutions – Compatibility restrictions on HDD and Upgrades More and more – Underwhelming hardware (comparatively)	+ Better Hardware for Price + Wider Variety of Solutions and Hardware Profiles + Supports ZFS and/or EXT4 (with ZFS platform now available on latest Intel Celeron Systems) + Wide accessory range and compatibility – Software can often feel inconsistent – Hit by Security Issues if the past
Check Amazon By Clicking Below:	Check Amazon By Clicking Below:

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Synology (Finally) Reveals Managed PoE 10GbE Switches – The PS Series

At Computex 2025, Synology formally unveiled its new PS Series of PoE switches—marking the company’s first venture into dedicated network switching hardware. Designed specifically for surveillance environments, these switches are not meant to replace general-purpose managed switches, but rather to complement Synology’s Surveillance Station ecosystem. The lineup includes three models: the high-capacity PS2600+, the compact PS1000+, and the entry-level PS500. Each model is tailored for powering PoE cameras and streamlining IP surveillance setups, with features like centralized control through Surveillance Station and fanless operation. While this launch addresses a long-standing gap in Synology’s ecosystem, it is clear that these devices are intended for a niche surveillance role rather than enterprise-wide or enthusiast-grade switching solutions.

Why is a Synology Switch so Highly Demanded? And Why is This Not Quite What Everyone Wanted?

For years, users of Synology’s NAS and surveillance solutions have speculated about the company expanding into networking hardware, particularly switches. Given Synology’s existing ecosystem of NAS units, cameras, routers, and software like Surveillance Station and SRM, a managed PoE switch seemed like the logical next step to unify its offerings under a single, tightly integrated platform. Many envisioned a Synology switch that could serve not just surveillance but also general-purpose networking, VLAN management, and broader SMB/enterprise deployments—effectively competing with established names like Ubiquiti, Netgear, or QNAP.

However, the PS Series unveiled at Computex 2025 diverges from that expectation. The PS2600+ and PS1000+ are exclusively intended for use with Synology’s Surveillance Station, lacking broader Layer 3 management tools outside of this context. Meanwhile, the PS500 is a basic, unmanaged unit aimed more at simple deployments than network optimization. There are no bundled camera licenses, limited software extensibility, and no SRM integration. As a result, while these switches will likely appeal to users looking for a seamless Synology surveillance setup, they fall short of the more versatile, all-encompassing switch that many long-time Synology users were hoping for.

Synology PS2600+ 26 Port L2+ Managed PoE Switch

The PS2600+ is the flagship switch in Synology’s new lineup, featuring 24 PoE+ ports and 2 additional 10GbE SFP+ uplink ports. Designed for rackmount or desktop use, the PS2600+ is completely fanless, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments. It delivers a total PoE power budget of 185W, allowing it to power multiple IP cameras, particularly in larger surveillance setups. It is fully managed and integrates directly with Synology’s Surveillance Station for centralized control, including power management, port diagnostics, and network topology mapping.

In terms of network performance, the PS2600+ offers a switching bandwidth of 88 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 65.47 Mpps. It supports Layer 2+ features, including inter-VLAN routing and DHCP server capabilities, allowing it to segment and route traffic in more complex surveillance deployments. However, its software integration is limited exclusively to Surveillance Station, and it lacks any compatibility with Synology’s SRM (Router OS) or general-purpose network management tools. It is best suited for installations where the switch, NAS, and cameras are all part of a single, unified Synology surveillance environment.

---

Synology PS500 5 Port Unmanaged PoE Switch

The PS500 is the most basic model in Synology’s PS Series and is designed primarily for entry-level surveillance setups. It offers a total of five ports, four of which support PoE+ for powering IP cameras or other devices. Unlike the other models, the PS500 is completely unmanaged—there is no software-based configuration, no VLAN support, and no integration with Surveillance Station CMS. It is intended for plug-and-play functionality, making it suitable for simple installations where centralized management is not required.

Despite its simplicity, the PS500 still delivers up to 60W of total PoE power and supports jumbo frames up to 9000 bytes. It is passively cooled and uses an external power supply, emphasizing its role as a compact, low-maintenance switch for desktop or wall-mounted deployments. While it doesn’t offer the flexibility or control of the PS2600+ or PS1000+, it fills a gap for users seeking a straightforward power delivery solution for small-scale IP camera installations.

---

Synology PS1000+ 10 Port L2+ Managed PoE Switch

The PS1000+ serves as the mid-range offering in Synology’s PS Series, targeting smaller surveillance deployments that still benefit from centralized management. It includes 8 PoE+ RJ45 ports and 2 standard 1GbE SFP ports for uplink or fiber connectivity. Like the PS2600+, this model is fanless and supports both rackmount and desktop installations. It offers a total PoE power budget of 65W, which is sufficient for a modest number of IP cameras or access points in home or SMB setups.

From a network performance standpoint, the PS1000+ provides 20 Gbps of switching bandwidth and a forwarding rate of 14.88 Mpps. It also supports VLANs, static routing, and DHCP services, and is managed entirely through Synology’s Surveillance Station interface. Its role is clearly focused—bridging NAS units and IP cameras under one platform, without offering broader Layer 3 functionality or third-party network integration. For users with Synology NAS-based NVR setups and fewer cameras, the PS1000+ provides a compact, low-noise, managed switch option.

---

Synology PS Series Switches, Conclusion and Verdict

Synology’s entry into the network switch market with the PS Series marks a significant, though narrowly focused, expansion of its surveillance ecosystem. These switches are clearly designed with Surveillance Station users in mind, offering streamlined power and network management for PoE camera deployments. While the PS2600+ and PS1000+ provide useful managed features for larger and mid-sized surveillance environments, and the PS500 delivers a simple plug-and-play option, none of these models address general networking needs outside of Synology’s surveillance scope. For those seeking a unified Synology environment for NVR deployments, these switches may be a welcome addition—but broader adoption will likely remain limited until Synology delivers more versatile, multi-role networking solutions.

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Minisforum Reveal the MS-R1 PCIe Gen4 ARM Mini PC

At Computex 2025 in Taipei, Minisforum introduced the MS-R1 — a new class of mini PC that marks a distinct departure from its usual reliance on x86 architecture. This compact system is built around the ARM-based CIX P1 processor, an emerging 12-core chip aimed at redefining performance standards for ARM in desktop computing. The MS-R1 combines this processor with dual 10GbE networking, PCIe Gen 4 expansion, and up to 64GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory — all within a chassis under 5 cm thick. Unlike traditional Minisforum models that have leaned on AMD Ryzen or Intel Core platforms, this system positions itself as a versatile option for edge computing, AI acceleration, and lightweight server tasks.

The MS-R1 is clearly still in development, but its early prototype already suggests Minisforum is exploring wider horizons beyond conventional desktop replacement PCs. It leverages many of the strengths typically associated with ARM — such as power efficiency and thermally lightweight design — while mitigating common limitations through generous I/O and expansion capabilities. Whether this signals a broader shift in the company’s product direction remains to be seen, but the MS-R1 offers an intriguing glimpse into how ARM-based platforms might coexist with, or even challenge, traditional x86 solutions in the years ahead.

Minisforum MS-R1 PC Hardware Specifications

The Minisforum MS-R1 is equipped with the newly announced CIX P1 (CP8180) processor, a 12-core, 12-thread ARM-based SoC built on the ARMv9.2-A architecture. Manufactured using a 6nm process, the CPU combines eight performance cores and four efficiency cores, operating at up to 2.6 GHz. It is complemented by a 10-core Arm Immortalis GPU, likely the G720 series, which supports advanced graphical output and light AI rendering. Additionally, the chip includes a 30 TOPS-capable neural processing unit (NPU), bringing the total onboard AI compute power to 45 TOPS. This SoC runs Linux systems with kernel 6.6 or later and offers a UEFI-compatible BIOS with ACPI support — a rare but increasingly essential feature for ARM-based systems targeting general desktop or server use.

Where the MS-R1 notably differentiates itself is in its high-speed I/O and expandability. Dual 10GbE copper LAN ports deliver enterprise-grade networking capability, especially valuable for file servers, edge compute nodes, or hybrid NAS use cases. A full-length PCIe x16 slot (operating at PCIe 4.0 x8 bandwidth) offers GPU or accelerator card support, effectively bridging the gap between ARM architecture and discrete compute expansion — something still rare in this space. USB connectivity is ample: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-A on the rear, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) Type-A on the front, and four USB 2.0 ports split across the front and rear. Audio is handled via HDMI, the DisplayPort-enabled Type-C ports, and a 3.5mm combo jack. Power is supplied via a 19V barrel-type DC-IN jack rated at 9.47A, and the device is controlled by a front-facing LED-lit power button. Despite its compact 195.6 × 189 × 48mm footprint, the MS-R1 integrates a surprising breadth of features for ARM-based edge computing in a mini PC form factor.

Why the Minsforum MS-R1 is a Big Deal?

The MS-R1 stands out primarily because it brings ARM architecture into a domain traditionally dominated by x86 processors — compact desktop systems with high-speed networking, PCIe expansion, and broad OS compatibility. ARM chips have long been associated with mobile, embedded, and power-efficient use cases, but they have rarely offered the kind of performance, I/O, and system flexibility seen in x86-based mini PCs. With the CIX P1 SoC, the MS-R1 challenges that assumption. It pairs a 12-core CPU (based on the ARMv9.2-A standard) with a 10-core GPU and an NPU capable of 30 TOPS, totaling 45 TOPS of AI compute. This puts it within reach of edge AI tasks, containerized application hosting, or lightweight virtualization. It’s also rare to see an ARM system with UEFI BIOS support, which enables compatibility with a wide range of Linux distributions and other OS environments — removing a common barrier for general users or developers.

Another reason the MS-R1 matters is its hardware-level ambition. While many ARM-based devices are limited in I/O and expansion, this system includes two 10GbE ports and a PCIe Gen 4 x8 slot — enabling add-in graphics cards or accelerators, typically absent in ARM ecosystems. Combined with onboard LPDDR5 RAM and NVMe Gen 4 storage, the MS-R1 begins to resemble a standard workstation or edge server in capability. Minisforum’s decision to use the CIX P1 processor, which is likely based on licensable Arm Cortex designs and built for a Chinese market increasingly focused on domestic alternatives, reflects both a strategic and technical shift. It also comes at a time when ARM is being seriously considered for broader computing roles, particularly in energy-efficient high-performance setups. The MS-R1 doesn’t just experiment with ARM—it places it in a form factor, price tier, and feature set that could realistically serve prosumers, developers, and small enterprise users.

When will the Minisforum MS-R1 Be Released and Price?

The Minisforum MS-R1 is not just another compact system — it’s a deliberate move into new territory for the brand. By integrating an ARMv9 SoC with high-speed networking, PCIe expansion, and a mature BIOS environment, the MS-R1 challenges preconceptions about what ARM-based mini PCs can deliver. While still in early development, it already positions itself as a potential edge server, AI inference node, or Linux-based workstation. Its soldered LPDDR5 memory, limited to 64GB, and single NVMe slot may limit flexibility in some use cases, but the inclusion of dual 10GbE and PCIe Gen 4 support compensate with substantial throughput potential. It is not yet clear how the market will respond to such a hybrid product — one that crosses lines between embedded computing and traditional desktops — but it’s an important experiment in bringing ARM computing to mainstream deployment environments.

Minisforum’s broader product roadmap at Computex 2025 suggests that the MS-R1 is just one piece of a larger diversification strategy. Alongside it, the company showcased the upcoming N5 Pro — a Ryzen 9-based NAS/PC hybrid with ECC memory support — and the G1 Pro, a small form factor system housing up to RTX 5060-class graphics and 120W CPUs. These products collectively show the company’s intent to cover multiple tiers of performance and deployment, from ARM-powered edge systems to x86-based content creation rigs.

Whether or not the MS-R1 reaches widespread adoption, it represents a notable shift toward ARM’s growing viability outside mobile and embedded contexts. It’s a signal that the boundary between ARM and x86 in high-performance personal computing may continue to blur in the years ahead.

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TB5 M.2 NVMe Pegasus5 from Promise Revealed

At Computex 2025 in Taipei, PROMISE Technology introduced the Pegasus5 M8, an NVMe-based RAID storage system built around Intel’s Thunderbolt 5 interface. This new addition to the Pegasus5 product line focuses on delivering high-throughput, low-latency performance in a compact form factor tailored for professionals working with data-heavy content. Thunderbolt 5 provides a significant increase in bandwidth compared to previous generations, supporting up to 80 Gbps combined data and video transfer, which the M8 leverages for intensive media workflows. The M8 was presented as part of PROMISE’s wider strategy to address evolving demands in high-resolution video production, AI-assisted processing, and portable high-speed storage. Its debut follows the earlier launch of the Pegasus5 R12 and R12 Pro, which introduced 12-bay and hybrid HDD/SSD tower configurations with RAID capabilities, aimed at larger-scale desktop storage environments.

Promise Pegasus5 M8 Hardware Specifications

The Pegasus5 M8 is a compact, all-flash 8-bay direct-attached storage (DAS) system that exclusively supports M.2 NVMe SSDs. It accommodates both standard 2280-length SSDs and 1.5-inch variants, allowing flexibility in selecting drives based on capacity, endurance, or thermal profile. The system supports a mix of TLC-based drives for high performance and QLC-based drives for increased capacity per dollar, giving users the option to tailor the configuration toward speed, cost-efficiency, or a balance of both. Each M.2 slot is connected via a high-speed PCIe backplane, allowing maximum parallel bandwidth to the controller for simultaneous multi-drive operations.

Specification	Details
Form Factor	8-Bay Portable NVMe Storage System
Drive Support	8 × M.2 NVMe SSD (2280 and 1.5-inch supported)
Interface	Thunderbolt 5 (up to 80 Gbps combined bandwidth)
Maximum Throughput	Up to 6,000 MB/s
RAID Support	RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
RAID Engine	PROMISE PromiseRAID with NVMeBoost acceleration
Management Software	PROMISE Utility Pro (macOS and Windows compatible)
Power Delivery	Up to 140W passthrough charging (depends on host capabilities)
Display Support	Dual 6K or single 8K monitor via Thunderbolt 5 DisplayPort tunneling
Thermal Management	Intelligent fan control, internal heat dissipation with SSD thermal pads
Power Supply	Internal, 100–240V AC, 50–60Hz
Compatibility	macOS 13 and above, Windows 10 and later
Dimensions	Not officially disclosed (compact/portable class)
Certifications	RoHS, ErP compliant

The system’s core connectivity is provided by Thunderbolt 5, which doubles the baseline throughput of Thunderbolt 4. In standard mode, it offers 40 Gbps bidirectional data bandwidth, while the Bandwidth Boost mode enables a combined total of up to 80 Gbps for asymmetric workloads—ideal for video-heavy pipelines. In addition to raw data throughput, Thunderbolt 5 also provides support for DisplayPort tunneling, enabling the M8 to drive external monitors (up to dual 6K or a single 8K display) through the same interface used for data. Furthermore, the port delivers significantly enhanced power, with the system supporting passthrough charging of up to 140W, subject to host-side capabilities and cable specification.

Internally, the M8 leverages PROMISE’s NVMeBoost and PromiseRAID technologies for RAID management, data acceleration, and system diagnostics. RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 are supported across the full NVMe SSD array, providing a wide range of redundancy and performance configurations. PromiseRAID includes advanced features such as Predictive Data Migration (PDM), which periodically checks drive health using SMART telemetry and reallocates data proactively in the event of early failure indicators. This is paired with real-time monitoring, automatic rebuild processes, and background consistency checks—all accessible via the PROMISE Utility Pro software.

From a thermal and acoustic perspective, the M8 is designed with intelligent fan control that dynamically adjusts based on system temperature, minimizing noise during idle or low-load periods. The chassis incorporates airflow paths optimized for side-to-side or front-to-back movement depending on orientation, and thermal pads are used to dissipate heat from the M.2 SSDs to internal heatsinks. The power supply is internal, auto-switching between 100–240V AC, and the unit includes power-saving features such as host-synced sleep/wake, contributing to energy efficiency in extended deployment. The system is compatible with macOS 13 and later as well as Windows 11.

In the context of the PROMISE Pegasus5 series, particularly models like the R12 and M8 that utilize Thunderbolt 4 and 5, it’s important to distinguish between upstream and downstream ports as they serve different roles in device connectivity. The upstream port on a Pegasus5 system is used to connect the storage unit to the host computer—typically a Mac or Windows workstation. This is the primary data pathway through which the system is controlled, data is read and written, and device management is executed.

The downstream port, by contrast, enables daisy-chaining or peripheral expansion from the Pegasus unit to additional Thunderbolt or USB-C devices. This could include external monitors, additional storage devices, or other Thunderbolt peripherals. On Thunderbolt 4-enabled systems like the Pegasus5 R12, the downstream port supports dual 4K or a single 8K monitor, allowing it to act as both a storage device and a hub for display and accessory connectivity. On Thunderbolt 5 systems like the M8 or R12 Pro, this downstream capability is expanded further, supporting higher display resolutions and bandwidth-intensive devices without reducing data throughput to the storage array. This separation ensures consistent storage performance even when other peripherals are in use.

Promise Pegasus5 R12 and R12 Pro Specifications

The Pegasus5 R12 and R12 Pro are tower-based storage systems designed primarily for desktop environments where higher raw capacity and mixed-drive support are required. The standard R12 model features 12 bays for 3.5-inch SATA HDDs, supporting up to 288TB using 24TB drives. It connects via Thunderbolt 4 and provides sequential performance of up to 3,000 MB/s. The unit includes dual Thunderbolt 4 ports—one upstream and one downstream—supporting daisy-chaining and external display connectivity. Internally, it runs on a quad-core 2.2 GHz storage processor with 8GB of DDR4 ECC memory, and supports a wide range of RAID levels including 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, with optional hot spare functionality. Like the M8, it is managed via PROMISE Utility Pro and includes support for Predictive Data Migration.

Specification	Pegasus5 R12	Pegasus5 R12 Pro
Form Factor	12-Bay Tower	12 + 4-Bay Hybrid Tower
Drive Support	12 × 3.5″ SATA HDD	12 × 3.5″ SATA HDD + 4 × M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
Max Capacity	Up to 288TB (12 × 24TB)	288TB HDD + 32TB NVMe SSD (4 × 8TB)
Interface	Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps), USB4 compatible	Thunderbolt 5 (up to 80 Gbps), USB4 compatible
Maximum Throughput	Up to 3,000 MB/s	Up to 6,000 MB/s
RAID Support	RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60	RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, 50 (NVMe), full RAID for HDD
RAID Engine	PromiseRAID	PromiseRAID with NVMe RAID support
Processor	Storage Processor, 4-core, 2.2 GHz	Same
Memory	8GB DDR4 ECC DIMM	Same
Display Support	One downstream Thunderbolt 4 port (dual 4K or single 8K monitor)	Thunderbolt 5 display tunneling for multiple 6K/8K monitors
Power Delivery	Up to 85W (Thunderbolt/USB4 host)	Up to 140W passthrough charging (host dependent)
Management Software	PROMISE Utility Pro	Same
Operating Systems	macOS 13 and above, Windows 10 or later	Same
Hot Swap / Hot Spare	Supported	Supported
Smart Features	Predictive Data Migration, SMART polling, Intelligent cooling	Same
Dimensions (mm)	318 x 227 x 227	Same
Weight	15.5 kg	Slightly higher (exact value not disclosed)
Power Supply	AC 100–240V, 350W	Same
Certifications	EMC: FCC, CE; Safety: cTUVus, CB; RoHS, ErP	Same

The R12 Pro builds upon this foundation by introducing a hybrid 12+4 bay architecture—adding four M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots alongside the 12 standard HDD bays. This hybrid layout enables users to implement NVMe-based caching or tiered storage to accelerate performance-critical operations while retaining the high capacity of mechanical storage. The R12 Pro is equipped with Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, offering a data rate of up to 6,000 MB/s and compatibility with advanced display and charging protocols. RAID support is extended to NVMe drives, allowing configurations such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and 50 across the SSD layer. The system retains the same internal architecture and management tools as the standard R12 but introduces higher thermal demands and greater performance headroom due to its dual-media architecture.

Who are the Promise Pegasus5 M8, R12 and R12 Pro For?

The Pegasus5 M8, R12, and R12 Pro are each designed to address distinct storage requirements, aligning with varying workflows and user priorities. The M8 is suited for professionals who require high-speed NVMe performance in a compact and portable form factor. Its use of Thunderbolt 5 and full NVMe support makes it particularly effective for high-resolution video editing (4K to 8K), real-time AI model training, and mobile post-production environments. Its small footprint and low-noise design further enhance its usability for users who operate in constrained or shared workspaces, or who regularly travel with their equipment.

The R12 and R12 Pro are more appropriate for stationary, high-capacity storage needs. The R12, with its 12-bay HDD configuration, supports large media libraries and backup repositories, making it suitable for long-term storage in editing suites or enterprise archive setups. The R12 Pro extends this by incorporating NVMe SSD support alongside HDDs, offering tiered storage capabilities that appeal to users who require a balance between high throughput and large volume. This model is targeted at studios or teams managing high-bandwidth workflows such as multi-stream video processing, where simultaneous access to cached and archival data is necessary.

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Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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OWC Reveals their new OWC Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station

At COMPUTEX 2025, OWC unveiled its latest leap in desktop connectivity with the introduction of the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock, a next-generation expansion solution aimed squarely at creative professionals, power users, and demanding hybrid workflows. Demonstrated live at the company’s booth in TaiNEX 1, the new dock consolidates high-speed data transfer, multiple display outputs, wide device compatibility, and substantial power delivery into a single desktop hub. Building on OWC’s legacy of designing hardware that blends reliability with real-world flexibility, the Thunderbolt 5 Dock offers users a central point for managing content-heavy projects, transforming USB-C tablets into full production stations, or anchoring a high-performance workstation setup. Its ability to handle up to three 8K displays, daisy-chain multiple devices, and deliver up to 140W of charging—all while being backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, 4, USB4, and USB-C—makes it a standout solution for those needing a streamlined, forward-looking expansion unit. Just as importantly, the inclusion of certified Thunderbolt and Dock Ejector software integration ensures data integrity and safe disconnection, a key consideration for anyone working with volatile assets like live video edits, audio mixes, or large-scale backups.

OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock – Hardware Specifications and Performance

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock introduces a significant step up in performance and versatility for desktop users, particularly those in content creation and technical workflows. Central to the dock’s appeal is its Thunderbolt 5 controller, which supports up to 80Gb/s of bi-directional bandwidth, enabling simultaneous high-speed data transfers and display outputs without bottlenecking. For visual workflows, the dock supports up to three 8K displays or dual 6K monitors on macOS systems, making it a practical tool for video editors working with ultra-high-resolution footage or multitaskers using panoramic screen real estate. The dock also supports multiple daisy chains, allowing professionals to maintain full performance across chained devices, such as external RAID storage, 10GbE adapters, or A/V capture devices, without sacrificing throughput.

Port selection on the Thunderbolt 5 Dock is deliberately broad, designed to cater to nearly every desktop connectivity requirement. The dock features three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports, two USB-A 10Gb/s, one USB-A 5Gb/s, and a 2.5GbE Ethernet port that supports remote management protocols like Mobile Device Management (MDM), making it suitable for enterprise setups. For storage and media ingestion, dual card slots supporting UHS-II SD and microSD formats allow fast transfers for photographers and videographers. Additionally, a 3.5mm audio combo jack is present for audio input/output, and the dock retains support for Apple’s SuperDrive, offering legacy compatibility that is often overlooked in newer designs.

Beyond the raw hardware, the inclusion of OWC Dock Ejector software adds a layer of operational safety not often found in third-party docks. This utility ensures that all connected drives are safely unmounted before disconnection, protecting against file corruption and data loss. This is particularly important when working with DAW projects or active NLE libraries. Moreover, thanks to Thunderbolt certification, users can rely on cross-platform interoperability and consistent performance whether they’re using macOS, Windows, or even supported Linux distributions. For iPad Pro and USB-C tablet users, the dock serves as a conversion point into a full workstation—adding monitor output, keyboard, storage, and audio capability through a single connection.

Power delivery is another area where the Thunderbolt 5 Dock asserts its future-ready stance. Capable of supplying up to 140W of charging power, it can easily handle even power-hungry notebooks like MacBook Pros or high-end Windows workstations, while also distributing power to connected accessories. The dock intelligently manages power distribution across the ports to maintain stability and avoid overdraw scenarios. As more users transition to single-cable workflows for portable performance and desktop-grade expansion, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock stands out by balancing power, speed, and compatibility in a consolidated form factor.

Is Thunderbolt 5 a Big Jump on Thunderbolt 4, REALLY?

Thunderbolt 5 represents a major leap over Thunderbolt 4 in terms of bandwidth, display support, PCIe throughput, and power delivery—pushing the connectivity standard into a new performance tier. Where Thunderbolt 4 maxed out at 40Gbps, Thunderbolt 5 doubles that with 80Gbps of standard bi-directional bandwidth, and introduces a Bandwidth Boost mode of up to 120Gbps—a key benefit for multi-display setups and high-frame-rate output. Video support has also improved dramatically: while Thunderbolt 4 can manage a single 8K display at 60Hz or two 4K displays, Thunderbolt 5 enables multiple 8K displays or three 4K displays at 144Hz, and even supports a single 540Hz panel—important for ultra-responsive applications like game design, simulation, and high-end color grading.

PCIe bandwidth also sees a doubling, moving from 32Gbps (PCIe 3.0) in Thunderbolt 4 to 64Gbps (PCIe 4.0) in Thunderbolt 5, allowing external SSDs, GPUs, and fast capture cards to perform at significantly higher throughput levels. Similarly, power delivery has increased from 100W to up to 240W, with a new mandatory 140W standard for device charging—enabling the dock to power even high-performance mobile workstations over a single cable. Despite these gains, Thunderbolt 5 remains fully backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C/USB4 devices, scaling features based on host and peripheral support. As manufacturers like Apple, Dell, and Lenovo begin integrating Thunderbolt 5 into new devices, docks like OWC’s Thunderbolt 5 model are well-positioned to deliver the full benefits of this next-gen interface, particularly in workflows involving heavy media processing, multi-monitor editing suites, and mobile-first productivity ecosystems.

What else did OWC show at Computex 2025?

OWC Envoy Ultra – This rugged portable SSD is built for real-world use in demanding environments. With integrated cable design and speeds exceeding 6000MB/s, it’s ideal for creatives working on location. Compatible across macOS, Windows, iPad Pro, Chromebooks, and Surface devices, the Envoy Ultra offers high-performance external storage in a bus-powered form factor.

OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub – Designed for users who need more high-speed ports, this compact hub expands a single Thunderbolt 5 connection into three Thunderbolt 5 ports and an additional USB-A port. It supports full 80Gb/s bi-directional bandwidth and up to 120Gb/s for display tasks, making it a scalable solution for device-heavy workspaces.

OWC ThunderBlade X12 – Aimed at film editors and content studios, the ThunderBlade X12 is a RAID-capable SSD offering peak write speeds of 6600MB/s and sustained write speeds of 5990MB/s. It’s designed for high-resolution video workflows where real-time editing and transfer speeds are mission-critical.

OWC Jellyfish – This shared storage solution caters to collaborative editing environments, with scalable capacity from terabytes to petabytes. Supporting 4K to 12K media editing, Jellyfish includes management software and robust security, ideal for teams handling post-production and asset-heavy projects.

OWC Memory Cards and Readers – Built with performance and reliability in mind, OWC’s CFexpress and SD card lines offer fast write speeds and integration with OWC Innergize software, which optimizes performance and checks card health for professional photographers and videographers.

OWC Portable SSDs – Models like the Envoy Pro FX and Express 1M2 continue to serve mobile users with cross-platform support, rugged construction, and high throughput, ensuring reliable data transfer in the field or on set.

OWC Desktop Storage – The Mercury Elite Pro and ThunderBay lines offer RAID-enabled storage for desktop users, with Thunderbolt and USB-C interfaces for speed and versatility. These units are designed for high-capacity needs in media production, backup, and archiving.

OWC Archive Pro Ethernet – A robust LTO-based solution for long-term, high-volume data backup over the network. Tailored for enterprise, media, and government use cases, it supports automated workflows and is optimized for data integrity and longevity in cold storage environments.

OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock – Release Date and Price

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock is now available for pre-order at $329.99 USD, positioning it as a premium but competitively priced solution for professionals seeking cutting-edge desktop expansion. Each unit includes a certified Thunderbolt 5 cable, external power supply, and access to OWC’s Dock Ejector software, with customer support included. Shipping is expected to begin in early July 2025, following its live showcase at COMPUTEX Taipei. With Thunderbolt 5-equipped laptops and devices entering the market, this dock is one of the first fully certified options to deliver the expanded bandwidth, power delivery, and device flexibility that next-generation workflows demand.

 

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Synology Launches RS2825RP+ RackStation NAS for Business Deployments

As Synology continue its large-scale refresh of its solution portfolio, it is finally time to start talking about rackmount solutions! Although many were waiting on the RS1225+, it looks like the brand wants to ‘go big’ with the Synology RS2825RP+ 16 Bay, expandable 10GbE equipped and 25G Ready server solution. Arriving in the PLUS series, and therefore subject to the recent hardline storage media verification changes made by the brand for the 2025 series and onwards, the RS2825RP+ is clearly a very, very different solution and therefore perhaps reaching a target audience who are more receptive to it (maybe). Synology have a phenomenal history when it comes to their rackmount series – for many years it was just the rackstation series – but eventually we saw the UC, SA, FS and XS arrives.. which in turn is now rolling towards the enterprise challengers such as the Active Protect DP devices, the Gridstation (GS) devices and even a long desired and promised NVMe Flash series (the PAS range). So, PLUS series devices like the RS2825RP+ are occupying an increasingly squeezed area of the portfolio where buyers want comparatively affordable, scalable and capable storage. The changes by the brand on drive media support and verification do undercut this somewhat, so with that in mind, what has this new 3U Rackmount got to offer you in 2025 that makes it deserved your money and your data?

The Synology RS2825RP+ is equipped with an AMD Ryzen V1780B processor, offering a quad-core architecture with base and boost clocks of 3.35 GHz and 3.6 GHz, respectively. Designed for enterprise-grade workloads, the system includes 8 GB of ECC DDR4 memory in a single module configuration, which can be expanded up to 32 GB via two available slots. The rackmount chassis conforms to a 3U form factor and houses 16 front-accessible drive bays, supporting both 3.5” and 2.5” SATA formats. Networking capabilities include dual 1GbE ports and a single 10GbE port for high-speed data transfer, with a PCIe Gen3 slot offering further upgrade flexibility for additional NICs or storage controllers. According to Synology’s internal benchmarks, the unit delivers up to 3,519 MB/s sequential read and 1,790 MB/s write performance, which is suitable for multi-user environments requiring fast data access and sharing.

Engineered for sustained operation in business-critical environments, the RS2825RP+ incorporates three hot-swappable fans for effective airflow and dual redundant power supplies to mitigate downtime during hardware failures. The hot-swappable drive trays support online volume management, allowing for drive replacement or expansion without system shutdown. The power input is adaptable across 100–240V AC ranges, ensuring compatibility with global power standards. The system is further enhanced by a dedicated hardware encryption engine, allowing encrypted data processing without heavily impacting performance, making it practical for organizations handling sensitive or regulated data.

On the software side, the RS2825RP+ runs Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM), which supports a wide suite of data protection, business productivity, and infrastructure management applications. Included without additional licensing are tools such as Synology High Availability, which enables failover between identical units to ensure service continuity, and Snapshot Replication, which offers near-instantaneous recovery points for shared folders and LUNs. Hyper Backup extends protection to remote servers and public clouds with features like deduplication, data integrity verification, and multi-versioned backup scheduling. For IT environments reliant on virtualization, DSM integrates natively with VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix, and OpenStack, with support for VMware VAAI and Windows ODX to offload and streamline storage operations.

Beyond infrastructure, DSM also serves as a collaboration platform. Synology Drive allows for real-time file synchronization across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms, with granular permissions for enterprise-grade file governance. Users can collaborate using Synology Office, which provides a shared workspace for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with unlimited versioning and cross-format compatibility. Communication features such as Synology Chat and Calendar are included, supporting encrypted messaging and team scheduling. Hybrid Share, an optional feature, combines on-premise access speed with cloud-based scalability, enabling multi-site deployments to efficiently manage shared files with a single global namespace.

The RS2825RP+ supports a maximum of 28 drives when paired with the RX1225RP expansion unit, enabling up to 560 TB of raw storage using currently available 20 TB drives. Storage flexibility is provided through support for Btrfs on internal volumes and a range of file systems on external devices. Multiple RAID configurations are available, including Synology Hybrid RAID, Basic, JBOD, and traditional RAID levels 0 through 10. SSD caching is supported via both SATA and M.2 NVMe SSDs, the latter requiring optional expansion cards. Volume sizes up to 200 TB are supported, although configurations exceeding 108 TB require the system to be upgraded to 32 GB of RAM, ensuring memory availability for managing large metadata and file tables.

A key constraint with the RS2825RP+ is Synology’s enforcement of verified drive compatibility. At the time of release, the system only allows initialization and full access to features when Synology-branded drives or those listed on its official compatibility list are installed. This closed ecosystem policy may limit adoption among users seeking to repurpose third-party or existing storage media. The restriction also affects advanced features such as SSD caching, drive health monitoring, and hybrid volume configurations, which are tied to Synology’s drive firmware and integration layers. The Synology RS2825RP+ offers a balanced mix of compute power, storage expandability, and data protection features suitable for centralized IT infrastructure in small to medium-sized businesses. Its high-speed throughput, enterprise-grade software suite, and support for virtualization and surveillance make it versatile for multiple deployment scenarios. However, organizations considering this model should weigh the implications of Synology’s drive compatibility enforcement against their existing hardware procurement policies.

Synology RS2825RP+ vs RS2821RP+ – A Significant Upgrade?

he RS2825RP+ is expected to replace the older RS2821RP+ in Synology’s 16-bay rackmount NAS lineup, and while both systems share the same 3U chassis size, drive bay count, and expansion support up to 28 bays, they diverge significantly in internal hardware. The newer model features a faster AMD Ryzen V1780B CPU with a higher base clock of 3.35 GHz (vs 2.2 GHz in the V1500B), along with 8 GB of ECC DDR4 memory pre-installed—double that of the RS2821RP+. The RS2825RP+ also includes a 10GbE port by default, something absent from the RS2821RP+, which instead comes with four 1GbE ports. While both models support PCIe expansion, the RS2825RP+ uses a newer generation processor with improved encryption offloading and virtualization potential, better suited to modern business applications with higher throughput demands.

However, the RS2821RP+ offers greater flexibility in terms of supported drive media. Although Synology recommends its own branded drives for this unit, it does not enforce the same strict hardware lock-in seen on the RS2825RP+. Users of the RS2821RP+ can utilize a broader range of 2.5” and 3.5” SATA HDDs and SSDs, including many from third-party vendors, without encountering initialization blocks or feature restrictions. This openness makes the RS2821RP+ a more attractive option for businesses with existing storage investments or those who prioritize long-term cost control and vendor neutrality. By contrast, the RS2825RP+ requires verified drives at launch, which restricts hardware reusability and may increase TCO for those transitioning from legacy systems.

When Will the Synology RS2825RP+ Be Released and the Price?

Ultimately, the RS2825RP+ represents a forward step in terms of raw performance and integrated networking capabilities, aligning with Synology’s broader push toward all-in-one systems with deeper integration and control. But that progress comes at the cost of flexibility, particularly in storage media compatibility. The RS2821RP+ may remain relevant for users seeking broader hardware compatibility, even as the RS2825RP+ replaces it in the official portfolio. Buyers will need to weigh the advantages of newer hardware against the limitations introduced by Synology’s tighter ecosystem approach.

All shared information online and inadvertent slips on the RS2825RP+ appear to indicate that the RS2825RP+ will arrive at a similar price point to it’s predecessor at around $3000-3499, and launching earlier in the eastern regions, but eventually rolling out globally in June.

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