A First Look Around the Minisforum Stand at Computex 2026

Computex 2026 is now underway in Taipei, and I am at the Minisforum stand looking over what the company has brought to the show floor this year. There are several compact systems on display, including the S5 all-flash NAS, the MS-03 workstation mini PC, and the smaller M2 Pro mini PC, with more possibly being added to this article as I continue working through the stand. What I am seeing is not just a single type of compact PC repeated in different sizes, but a mix of storage, workstation, and AI-focused hardware, each aimed at a slightly different use case. The S5 is the one that ties back most closely to my recent NAS coverage from mid-May, while the MS-03 and M2 Pro sit more firmly in Minisforum’s mini PC and workstation range. There is also a clear focus here on faster networking, newer Intel platforms, local AI acceleration, and making higher-performance desktop systems fit into smaller spaces.

Minisforum S5: A Silent All-Flash NAS for Smaller Spaces

The first system I am looking at is the Minisforum S5, an all-flash NAS that I previously covered in more detail in mid-May. At Computex, Minisforum is showing it again as part of its wider compact hardware line-up, and the basic idea remains the same: this is a small NAS built around M.2 SSD storage rather than traditional 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives. That matters because it changes both the size and noise profile of the system. With no spinning drives inside, Minisforum has also removed the fan, so the S5 is designed to run silently.

The S5 is positioned between lower-cost all-flash NAS systems and more expensive high-end models. Minisforum is clearly trying to avoid the main compromises often seen in cheaper SSD NAS devices, where the storage may be flash-based but the networking and I/O are not fast enough to make full use of it. Here, the inclusion of 10GbE and USB4/TBT4 gives the S5 more room to actually benefit from SSD performance, whether that is for direct transfers, faster network access, or use in a small media and editing setup. It is not being shown as a large enterprise NAS, but more as a compact flash storage system for users who want more speed and less noise than a hard drive-based box.

The other part of the S5 story is the newer platform inside. Minisforum lists 5 M.2 slots, WiFi 7, AV1 hardware encoding and decoding, and an iGPU plus NPU combination rated at 24 to 33 TOPS for lightweight AI tasks. That does not make it a heavy AI workstation, but it does suggest the S5 is intended to do more than just basic file storage.

The target audience seems fairly clear: home theater users, HiFi setups, small studios, Apple users looking for a quieter storage box, and people who like the idea of a NAS but do not want the noise, power draw, or physical size that usually comes with mechanical hard drives.

Minisforum MS-03: A Workstation Mini PC With Faster Networking and Newer Intel Hardware

The next system on the Minisforum stand is the MS-03, which follows on from the MS-01 rather than replacing something in the NAS range. This is important, because although it shares the same compact, high-I/O style that made the MS-01 interesting, the MS-03 is being presented as a workstation mini PC, not a storage appliance. Minisforum is describing it as a regular iteration of the MS-01, but the changes are not minor. The focus is on a newer Intel Panther Lake-H platform, faster memory, faster SSD support, upgraded networking, and added local AI acceleration.

Compared with the MS-01, the MS-03 moves to DDR memory up to 7200MHz and upgrades 2 SSD slots from PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 5.0. Wired networking is also improved, with 1 port moving from 2.5GbE to 10GbE, while the wireless card moves from WiFi 6E to WiFi 7. Minisforum is also raising the TDP from 60W to 70W, with a 240W power adapter as standard. On the display side, the HDMI connection is upgraded from HDMI 2.1 TMDS to HDMI 2.1 FRL, with CEC support included.

The AI angle is also more visible on this model than it was on the MS-01. The MS-03 adds an NPU rated at 50 TOPS, with Minisforum specifically pointing to Intel AI application support. That does not turn it into a GPU-heavy tower workstation, but it does make the system more relevant for local AI workloads, development, and applications that can take advantage of Intel’s newer platform features.

One trade-off is that the PCIe slot is reduced from x8 to x4 because of CPU PCIe lane limits. Minisforum says x4 is still enough for most expansion cards, although a graphics card will see some performance reduction if installed.

Minisforum M2 Pro: A Smaller Mini PC Built Around Local AI

The Minisforum M2 Pro is the smaller mini PC on the stand, and unlike the S5, it is not being presented as a NAS. This is more of a compact desktop system for users who want newer Intel hardware, stronger integrated graphics, faster memory, and local AI features in a smaller footprint. Minisforum is basing it on Intel’s Panther Lake platform, specifically listing PTL-H-12Xe, with a focus on combining CPU, GPU, and NPU resources for local AI tasks rather than relying only on cloud processing.

The headline figure here is up to 180 TOPS of total AI performance across the system. That includes a new NPU5 AI engine rated at up to 50 TOPS, alongside the CPU and Xe3 integrated GPU. Minisforum is also claiming more than a 50% graphics performance improvement from the Xe3 GPU, which is relevant for users looking at light creative work, GPU-assisted workloads, and general desktop performance without moving to a larger system with a discrete graphics card. Memory is another major part of the platform, with LPDDR5X 8533 listed for high-bandwidth workloads such as local model inference, multitasking, and media work.

In terms of physical setup, the M2 Pro is designed to reduce the amount of clutter around the desk. Minisforum lists a built-in power supply, an all-metal body, support for horizontal, vertical, and VESA-mounted installation, and a dedicated button for Microsoft Copilot.

Connectivity is also a significant part of the design, with 10GbE, 2.5GbE, USB4, and support for up to 4 displays, including up to 8K at 60Hz. That makes the M2 Pro less of a basic office mini PC and more of a compact workstation-style system for local AI, remote work, media use, and higher-speed networked workflows.

Minisforum PCIe Expansion Card: 4 x NVMe, OCuLink and 20Gb USB on 1 Card

Also on the Minisforum stand is a PCIe expansion card that is a little less conventional than the usual multi-NVMe adapter. At a basic level, this is a 4-bay M.2 NVMe PCIe card, but the design goes beyond simply adding extra SSD slots.

The card includes active cooling, a heatsink assembly, copper heat pipe cooling, and 4 M.2 NVMe positions under the top section. When used with a single SSD, the card can provide up to PCIe Gen 4 x4 to that drive, while a fully populated 4-drive setup appears to divide the available bandwidth across the installed SSDs. This makes it more of a compact high-speed storage expansion option than a simple passive adapter.

The more unusual part is the additional I/O built into the card. Minisforum has added an OCuLink port at the base, alongside a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps USB port. There is also a rear switch that appears to change the OCuLink output between PCIe mode and SATA mode. Multi-M.2 PCIe cards are not new, and there are already expansion cards that combine NVMe storage with networking or other add-ons, but seeing OCuLink added alongside 4 NVMe slots and 20Gb USB is less common.

It fits with Minisforum’s wider Computex approach of combining storage, expansion, and compact workstation use cases into products that are not always easy to place in a single category.

Specification	Minisforum PCIe NVMe / OCuLink Expansion Card
Product type	PCIe expansion card
Main function	Multi-NVMe storage expansion
M.2 slots	4 x M.2 NVMe
SSD interface	PCIe Gen 4
Single SSD bandwidth	Up to PCIe Gen 4 x4
Fully populated bandwidth	Shared across 4 installed SSDs
Controller	AMD controller
Cooling	Active cooling system
Thermal design	Heatsink + copper heat pipe
Additional port	OCuLink
USB connectivity	USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, 20Gbps
Rear switch	PCIe / SATA mode switch for OCuLink output
Positioning	Storage and external expansion card for compact workstation or high-I/O systems
Main point of interest	Combines 4 x NVMe, OCuLink, and 20Gb USB on 1 PCIe card

Thoughts From the Minisforum Stand

From what I am seeing at the Minisforum stand, the company is using Computex 2026 to show a wider spread of compact systems rather than focusing on a single product type or single massive ‘launch’ of a product for 2026. This kinda makes sense, as the hardware market for their products has no doubt taken something of a hit with the rise in HDDs. SSD and RAM market to deter buyers. The S5 is the storage-focused device here, and its main point of interest is the move toward a quieter all-flash NAS with faster I/O than many entry-level SSD NAS systems. The MS-03 is a different kind of product, with a stronger focus on workstation use, newer Intel hardware, 10GbE, PCIe 5.0 storage, and a dedicated NPU. The M2 Pro then takes some of that same AI and connectivity direction into a smaller mini PC design with a built-in power supply and a more desk-friendly layout. I may add more devices to this article as I continue going through the stand, but the early picture is that Minisforum is putting more emphasis on local AI, faster networking, and compact systems that do not require a full-size desktop tower.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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

 

Le fabricant taïwanais a présenté deux nouvelles puces, dont un contrôleur PCIe 6.0 capable d'atteindre 28 Go/s pour une consommation d'environ 7 watts.

L’article Jusqu’à 28 Go/s, voilà ce que pourra bien proposer votre futur SSD, mais est-ce vraiment utile ? est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.

Minisforum MS-03: First Look at the New Workstation Mini PC

The Minisforum MS-03 is on show today at the company’s Computex 2026 stand, following its earlier Q1 appearance in prototype form at Minisforum’s Intel Core Ultra Series 3 event in Shanghai. At that earlier showing, the MS-03 was presented as part of Minisforum’s next wave of AI PC hardware, and here at Computex it is being shown more clearly as the follow-up to the MS-01 workstation mini PC. This is not a NAS (clearly! But always good to confirm on my website!) and it is not being positioned as a simple office mini PC.

The MS-03 is a compact workstation system built around Intel Panther Lake-H hardware, with a higher 70W TDP, faster memory support, PCIe 5.0 SSD upgrades, 10GbE networking, WiFi 7, HDMI 2.1 FRL, and a dedicated NPU rated at 50 TOPS for Intel AI workloads. Minisforum is treating this as a fairly direct evolution of the MS-01, but the hardware changes suggest a stronger focus on local AI, faster storage, and higher-speed networking than before.

Minisforum MS-03: Design and Connections

The MS-03 keeps the same general idea as the MS-01: a compact workstation mini PC with more connectivity than a typical small desktop. At the stand, Minisforum is presenting it as a system for users who need workstation-style I/O in a smaller enclosure, rather than a basic mini PC for light office use. The external design appears to stay focused on practicality, with the main value coming from the number and type of connections available rather than from the chassis alone.

The main wired networking change is the move to 10GbE. On the MS-03, Minisforum says 1 wired network port has been upgraded from 2.5GbE to 10GbE, which is a useful change for users working with fast NAS storage, shared project folders, local servers, or larger AI and media datasets. For a machine of this size, 10GbE makes the MS-03 more useful in a mixed workstation and homelab setup, especially where faster local network transfers matter more than raw internal storage alone.

Wireless networking is also updated, with the MS-03 moving from WiFi 6E on the MS-01 to WiFi 7. This does not replace the value of wired 10GbE for heavier workloads, but it does make the system more flexible when it is used away from a fixed wired setup. For users who want to keep the desktop cleaner, move the system between locations, or use it in an office where wired networking is not always available, WiFi 7 is a reasonable platform update.

Display output also gets a change, with the HDMI interface moving from HDMI 2.1 TMDS to HDMI 2.1 FRL, along with CEC support. That gives the MS-03 a more modern display connection than the MS-01 and makes it better suited to newer monitors and display setups. Minisforum has not positioned the MS-03 as a gaming box, but with the upgraded CPU platform, improved GPU performance, 10GbE, WiFi 7, and updated HDMI, the external design is clearly aimed at users who want a compact system that can sit on a desk, connect to faster storage and networks, and handle a more serious multi-purpose workstation role.

Minisforum MS-03: Internal Hardware

Inside, the Minisforum MS-03 moves to Intel’s Panther Lake-H platform, which is the main hardware change over the MS-01 generation. Minisforum is presenting this as a full platform update rather than a small CPU refresh, with improvements expected across CPU, GPU, memory, storage, networking, and AI acceleration. The system is still a compact workstation mini PC, so it is not trying to replace a large tower workstation in every scenario, but it does appear to be aimed at users who want more local performance than a standard mini PC normally provides. Memory support is one of the clearer upgrades. Minisforum lists DDR memory support up to 7200MHz, which gives the MS-03 a faster memory ceiling than the previous MS-01 platform. That matters for general responsiveness, heavier multitasking, development work, virtual machines, and workloads that benefit from higher memory bandwidth. For a compact workstation system, faster memory also helps keep the machine more balanced when paired with newer CPU and integrated graphics hardware. Storage is also being moved forward, with 2 SSDs upgraded from PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 5.0. This gives the MS-03 faster local storage potential, which is useful for large project files, scratch disks, application loading, VM storage, and local AI datasets. It also helps separate the MS-03 from more ordinary compact PCs, where storage may still be limited to PCIe 4.0 or lower-speed slots. The faster storage is not just about peak benchmark numbers, but about making the system more suitable for sustained workstation-style use.

The other major internal change is the addition of a dedicated NPU rated at 50 TOPS. Minisforum is specifically tying this to Intel AI applications, which suggests the MS-03 is being designed around local AI support rather than only conventional desktop performance. The TDP has also increased from 60W to 70W, with a 240W adapter as standard, giving the system more power headroom than the MS-01. One compromise is the PCIe slot change from x8 to x4, which Minisforum says is due to CPU PCIe lane limitations. For many expansion cards, x4 should still be workable, but anyone planning to use a graphics card should expect some performance reduction compared with a wider PCIe connection.

Minisforum MS-03 vs MS-01 vs MS-02: Design and Connections

Looking at the MS-03 alongside the MS-01 and MS-02, the main difference is that Minisforum appears to be adjusting the balance between compact workstation I/O, expansion, and newer platform features. The MS-01 made its name by offering an unusual amount of connectivity for its size, including dual 10GbE SFP+ ports, dual 2.5GbE RJ45 ports, dual USB4 ports, WiFi 6, and a PCIe 4.0 x16 physical expansion slot. In practice, that made it useful for homelab, firewall, virtualization, NAS-adjacent, and compact workstation use, even though it was still a mini PC rather than a NAS.

The MS-02 Ultra then moves further into workstation territory. It is a larger and more expandable system, with Intel Core Ultra HX options, 4 DDR5 SODIMM slots, PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion, USB4 v2 at 80Gbps, and, on the higher-end configuration, dual 25GbE SFP+ networking. It is less about being the smallest possible workstation box and more about providing a compact alternative to a more traditional tower system, especially for users who need more memory, more expansion, and higher-bandwidth networking.

The MS-03 sits between those 2 ideas. Compared with the MS-01, it updates the platform with Panther Lake-H, WiFi 7, HDMI 2.1 FRL, 10GbE RJ45, PCIe 5.0 SSD support, and a stronger 50 TOPS NPU. Compared with the MS-02 Ultra, it does not appear to be the larger, maximum-expansion option. The most obvious compromise is the PCIe slot, which drops from x8 on the MS-01 to x4 on the MS-03 because of CPU PCIe lane limits. For network cards, capture cards, storage cards, and many other add-in devices, that may still be enough, but it is a point to note for anyone thinking about adding a GPU.

 

Minisforum MS-03: Price and Estimated Launch Date

Minisforum says the MS-03 is planned for launch at the end of June, although final pricing has not been confirmed from the material available at the stand. Based on how the system is being positioned, it appears to sit as a direct MS-01 successor rather than as a replacement for the larger MS-02 Ultra. That means the final price will likely depend heavily on the CPU configuration, memory, SSD options, and whether Minisforum sells it mainly as a barebones unit or in pre-configured versions. For now, the most useful detail is the launch window: the MS-03 is being shown today at Computex 2026, with availability expected later in June.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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

 

Alors que les prix des SSD NVMe continuent d'augmenter sous l'effet de la demande des centres de données liée à l'IA, SanDisk prépare deux nouveaux modèles au format SATA, une technologie considérée depuis plusieurs années comme dépassée.

L’article Le prix des puces NVME explose, mais SanDisk a trouvé une solution originale est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.

FROST, c'est le nom d'une nouvelle attaque qui transforme votre SSD en mouchard. Des chercheurs de l'université de Graz, avec Daniel Gruss au générique (un des cerveaux derrière Spectre et Meltdown), ont montré qu'un simple site web peut deviner quels autres sites et applis vous avez ouverts et cela juste en mesurant les micro-ralentissements de votre disque. Oui, je sais c'est geudin !

Le principe ?

Quand vous ouvrez la page piégée, elle crée discrètement un gros fichier sur votre disque via une API du navigateur baptisée OPFS ( Origin Private File System ), présente aujourd'hui dans tous les navigateurs modernes. C'est ce fichier qui sert de sonde.

Le JavaScript passe son temps à lire dedans et chronomètre chaque lecture au poil de cul et dès qu'une autre appli ou un autre onglet sollicite le SSD, ça crée un embouteillage minuscule sur le disque... que le code peut repérer sous forme de ralentissement.

Sauf que des variations de timing, ça reste du bruit illisible pour un humain. Du coup les chercheurs ont balancé toutes ces mesures dans un réseau de neurones (un CNN, le même genre de bidule qui reconnaît des choses sur des photos).

Entraîné sur des tonnes de traces, le modèle apprend alors la signature de chaque appli et de chaque site web et voilà comment à partir de ça, il devine ce que vous avez ouvert !

Sur un Mac, dans les tests présentés cette semaine, le truc retrouve le bon site parmi un top 50 dans près de 9 cas sur 10, et grimpe à plus de 95% pour reconnaître les applications ouvertes. Le tout sans la moindre action de votre part, à part avoir cliqué sur le lien. C'est totalement invisible.

Mais avant de débrancher votre PC, renvoyer votre box internet et vous lancer à temps complet dans la culture de chanvre, faut relativiser, car cette attaque a plusieurs limites... Le hic numéro un, c'est que le fichier-sonde doit être énorme, genre 1 Go ou plus, et un site qui se met à bouffer autant de place sur votre disque, ça se remarque vite. Le hic numéro deux, c'est que ce fichier doit être sur le même SSD que le navigateur sinon l'attaque est aveugle.

Les chercheurs ont fait tourner l'attaque complète sur un Mac M2, et démontré que la brique de base fonctionne aussi sous Linux (sans dérouler la classification complète), mais n'ont pas testé Windows. Et surtout, personne n'a encore vu FROST exploité dans la nature.

Perso, je trouve que cette attaque est trop bancale / incertaine pour faire du tracking de masse, en tout cas aujourd'hui...

Pensez donc à fermer les onglets dont vous ne vous servez plus comme ça, y'a moins d'activité à mesurer et pour les plus paranoïaques, vous pouvez toujours vous mettre à surveiller les fichiers OPFS créés par des sites web inconnus. Après comme tout repose sur du JavaScript, bloquer le JS sur les sites pas nets (avec un NoScript ou équivalent) ça coupe aussi l'attaque à la racine.

Les chercheurs proposent aussi aux éditeurs de navigateurs de plafonner la taille de ces fichiers OPFS. Ce serait dans la lignée de ce que fait par exemple Firefox avec le pistage, qui a récemment musclé son anti-fingerprinting .

Bref, pas de panique, personne ne fouille votre SSD en douce mais la technique reste intéressante. Les détails techniques complets sont dans le papier de recherche , qui sera présenté à la conférence DIMVA en juillet. Bonne lecture !

Source

GinjFo vous propose une étude complète d’un petit monstre PCIe 5.0 NVMe 2.0d signé Kioxia, l’Exceria Pro G2 dans son édition de 4 To.

Cet article Test Exceria Pro G2 4 To a été publié en premier par GinjFo.

Terramaster D1 Buyers Guide – D1 SSD vs D1 SSD PLUS vs D1 SSD Pro

TerraMaster is a storage hardware brand best known for NAS, DAS, and direct-attached expansion products aimed at home users, content creators, small offices, and prosumer workloads. While NAS devices remain the better choice for shared network storage, remote access, multi-user collaboration, and always-on services, DAS products are often the more practical option when the priority is direct speed, portability, simplicity, and lower setup complexity. An M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure such as the TerraMaster D1 range is designed to connect directly to a host system over USB or Thunderbolt, making it more suitable for fast local transfers, field backup, editing work, boot drives, and quick storage expansion without the overhead of network configuration. The D1 range is currently split across 3 tiers: the D1 SSD, D1 SSD Plus, and D1 SSD Pro. All 3 are diskless single-slot M.2 2280 NVMe SSD enclosures supporting up to 8TB drives, but they differ significantly in interface bandwidth, chassis design, target workload, and price. The standard D1 SSD is the rugged USB 10Gbps option, the D1 SSD Plus moves to USB4 40Gbps for higher transfer speeds, and the D1 SSD Pro is the Thunderbolt 5 / USB 80Gbps model aimed at the fastest single-drive workflows.

TerraMaster D1 SSD – The 10Gb/s Budget One!

The TerraMaster D1 SSD is the entry-level model in the D1 range, using a single M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slot and a USB 10Gbps interface. This places it in a different category from the Plus and Pro models, as it is not intended to chase the highest possible external SSD speeds. Instead, it is aimed more at users who need a compact, portable NVMe enclosure for everyday transfers, local backups, field storage, and general-purpose expansion.

TerraMaster lists maximum sequential performance at up to 1020MB/s read and 1010MB/s write when tested with a Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD, which is close to the expected practical limit of USB 3.2 Gen 2 storage.

The main point of difference with this model is the enclosure design. The D1 SSD uses a unibody aerospace-grade aluminum alloy shell and is rated at IP67 for dust and water resistance. TerraMaster also states that the enclosure can withstand up to 1.2 tons of pressure, which gives it a more rugged profile than a typical low-cost NVMe USB enclosure.

That makes it better suited to users who regularly move drives between locations, carry storage in a work bag, or need something for outdoor shoots, site work, travel, or emergency backups. It is still a single-drive enclosure, so it should not be treated as a complete backup strategy on its own, but the physical protection is clearly one of its main selling points.

Cooling is handled passively, with the metal body functioning as the heatsink rather than relying on a small internal fan. TerraMaster describes the design as offering 2.5x the usual heat dissipation area, and the lack of a fan also means there is no operating noise from the enclosure itself. The D1 SSD supports PCIe 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs up to 8TB, although the external USB 10Gbps connection will cap performance long before a modern high-end NVMe SSD reaches its own internal limits. File system support includes NTFS, APFS, Mac OS, FAT32, EXT4, and exFAT, while official operating system support is listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

---

TerraMaster D1 SSD Plus – The Perfect Middle!

The TerraMaster D1 SSD Plus is the middle option in the D1 range, moving from the USB 10Gbps connection of the standard D1 SSD to a USB4 40Gbps interface. This makes it a more suitable choice for users who want a compact single-drive NVMe enclosure but need substantially higher transfer speeds for larger files. TerraMaster positions this model around portable creative workflows, Mac mini storage expansion, macOS boot drive use, Windows workstation cache storage, and general high-speed external storage.

The company lists tested speeds of up to 3853MB/s read and 3707MB/s write, though the formal specification table gives 3641MB/s read and 3498MB/s write with a Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD.

The D1 SSD Plus keeps the same basic single-drive structure as the rest of the range, supporting 1 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD with PCIe 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0 compatibility and a maximum internal raw capacity of 8TB. The higher-speed USB4 connection makes a more obvious difference when working with large video files, project folders, image libraries, and other data sets where USB 10Gbps can become a bottleneck.

It is also compatible with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, USB 3.2, USB 3.1, and USB 3.0, although real-world performance will depend heavily on the host port, cable, SSD, file system, and operating system. TerraMaster notes that some Windows computers with Thunderbolt 3 may have incomplete USB4 support, which can lead to recognition problems or reduced speeds.

The enclosure uses a fanless aluminum alloy chassis, with TerraMaster claiming 3x the typical heat dissipation area for passive cooling. This means the drive remains silent in use, while the metal body handles heat transfer from the installed NVMe SSD. At 246g, it is heavier than the standard D1 SSD, but still portable enough for laptop bags, travel kits, and desk-to-desk workflows. Unlike the rugged standard D1 SSD, the Plus model is not presented around IP67 protection or crush resistance, with the emphasis instead placed on speed, broad protocol compatibility, quiet cooling, and electrical protection against short circuits, voltage surges, and electrostatic discharge.

---

TerraMaster D1 SSD Pro – The INSANE one

The TerraMaster D1 SSD Pro is the highest-end model in the D1 range, moving the enclosure platform up to USB 80Gbps and Thunderbolt 5 class connectivity. This places it well above the D1 SSD Plus in available interface bandwidth and makes it the model most clearly aimed at professional creative workloads rather than general portable storage.

TerraMaster positions the D1 SSD Pro for 8K video editing, large project transfers, direct-edit external workflows, and users who want the fastest option in the range for a single M.2 NVMe drive. The listed performance reaches up to 7061MB/s read and 6816MB/s write when tested with a Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD on a Mac M4 Pro system using AJA System Test.

Although the D1 SSD Pro supports PCIe 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs up to 8TB, the specification notes a single PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot. This means the enclosure can physically and logically accept a wide range of modern NVMe drives, including examples such as the Samsung 990 Pro and WD SN850X, but performance will still depend on the SSD installed, the host system, and the connection used.

It is compatible with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB 3.2/3.1/3.0, so it can step down for broader system support. TerraMaster also includes a color-coded connection indicator, using white for Thunderbolt or USB4 high-speed connections and orange for USB 3.2 or lower, which helps identify when the enclosure is not running at its intended performance level.

The chassis is built around an all-aluminum dual-fin passive cooling design rather than active cooling. TerraMaster describes the cooling system as using a built-in thermal pad, 38 fins, and a full aluminum-alloy shell to help control temperatures during sustained transfers or editing workloads. The enclosure remains fanless and silent, which may matter in audio-sensitive editing rooms or recording environments.

It also includes hardware protection against short circuits, voltage surges, and electrostatic discharge, along with a supplied protective case for travel. At 300g and 121 x 58 x 37mm, it is the largest and heaviest of the 3 models, but that size is tied to the higher-speed interface and more substantial passive heatsink design.

---

Backupper Software for PC/Mac/Mobile

TerraMaster’s D1 SSD range is also tied into the company’s backup software ecosystem, although the specific tools vary by platform. On Windows, the main utility is TPC Backupper, a free backup and synchronization tool for personal use. It can be used to back up a full operating system, entire disks, selected partitions, individual folders, application data, settings, and Microsoft Outlook emails. It supports full, incremental, and differential backup methods, along with file synchronization and disk or partition cloning. Backup destinations can include local disks, external USB storage, network shares, NAS systems, and cloud storage, which allows it to fit into a wider 3-2-1 backup routine rather than only working with TerraMaster hardware.

For mobile use, TerraMaster refers to the TDAS App for iOS and Android, allowing users to back up photos, videos, and other phone files to the connected private drive instead of relying only on cloud storage. The D1 SSD is listed as compatible with iOS 15.6 or later and Android 11 or later for this function. The D1 SSD Plus and D1 SSD Pro are also supplied with software-led backup features in their product positioning, though the clearest desktop backup support is on Windows through TPC Backupper. TerraMaster does not present the D1 range as a replacement for a NAS-based backup system, but the combination of portable NVMe storage and simple backup utilities gives the enclosures a role in local copies, travel backups, temporary project protection, and fast restores when connected directly to a host device.

Terramaster D1 SSD vs D1 SSD PLUS vs D1 SSD PRO – Which Is Best For You?

The TerraMaster D1 SSD is the most suitable option for users who want a low-cost, compact, and physically protected NVMe enclosure rather than the fastest possible external SSD. Its USB 10Gbps interface is enough for general file transfers, local backups, document libraries, photo collections, and moving data between systems, while the IP67-rated casing and crush-resistant design give it a stronger focus on travel, outdoor use, site work, and less controlled environments. For users who mainly need durable portable storage and do not work with very large media files every day, this is the most practical model in the range.

The TerraMaster D1 SSD Plus is the better fit for users who want a noticeable performance step up without moving to the cost of the Pro model. Its USB4 40Gbps interface makes more sense for content creators, photographers, video editors, Mac mini users, and laptop owners who regularly move large files or want fast external project storage. It lacks the rugged IP67 focus of the standard D1 SSD and the 80Gbps ceiling of the Pro, but it sits in the middle as the more balanced option for users who need high-speed storage in a portable, fanless enclosure.

The TerraMaster D1 SSD Pro is the model aimed at users with the most demanding workflows and the right host hardware to support it. Its USB 80Gbps and Thunderbolt 5 class positioning makes it the obvious choice for 8K video work, very large project files, high-speed scratch storage, and users who want the fastest enclosure in the D1 family. It is also the most expensive, largest, and heaviest of the 3, so it makes the most sense when the available bandwidth can actually be used. For everyday backup or standard portable storage, the lower models are easier to justify, but for performance-led creative work, the D1 SSD Pro is the clear top-tier option.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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

 

Le PDG de Silicon Motion tire la sonnette d'alarme : la pénurie mondiale de mémoire DRAM et de stockage NAND, alimentée par la course à l'intelligence artificielle, pourrait durer jusqu'en 2028. Les prix devraient continuer à grimper, et les consommateurs comme les entreprises devront s'armer de patience.

L’article Pénurie de mémoire : Samsung, SK Hynix et les autres ne pourront pas inverser la tendance avant 2028 est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.

Le truc cool avec un disque de backup, c'est quand vous arrêtez de le sortir du tiroir. Et c'est ce que permet de faire le DATO Ares Q4 (lien affilié) qui se trouve être aimanté et que je peux donc coller direct sur le côté de mon Mac Studio . Je l'ai depuis bientôt un an, et c'est devenu mon disque de Time Machine à résidence.

Il est trop mignon parce qu'il est tout petit, puisqu'il mesure 64 par 64 mm, 12 mm d'épaisseur, et 40 grammes, soit à peine plus gros qu'un bloc de petits Post-it, sauf que dedans y'a 4 To de NVMe en USB4. Les aimants sont prévus pour s'accrocher à un iPhone 15/16/17 Pro façon MagSafe, mais en pratique ils tiennent aussi nickel sur n'importe quelle machine, si vous collez le petit aimant-sticker livré avec.

Après je sais pas si coller un aimant sur un ordinateur c'est le move le plus intelligent que j'ai fait de ma vie mais je l'ai collé y'a 1 an, et ça bouge pas et j'ai aucun souci. Après c'est pas des GROS aimants non plus hein... C'est assez fin et pas très aimanté non plus. Et niveau connectique, c'est livré avec un câble USB-C rikiki de 10 cm.

Côté débits l'USB4 crache du 4000 Mo/s en lecture et 3600 Mo/s en écriture et comme c'est du natif, y'a pas de puce intermédiaire entre le NVMe et le port, donc on est max de ce qu'on peut avoir en vitesse avec ce genre de disque. Par contre, faut un port USB4 ou Thunderbolt 4/5 côté Mac, sinon ça retombe sur de l'USB 3.2 classique. C'est pas dramatique mais ça va 'achement moins vite quand même.

Et comme mon Mac Studio embarque 4 To en interne, c'est pile la taille du DATO que je dédie à ma sauvegarde Time Machine. Le sparsebundle peut donc grossir jusqu'à occuper tout le disque sans que je m'en occupe ! Et comme je ne le remplis jamais à 100%, je suis assez tranquille.

En plus de ce SSD, je fais toujours des backups sur mon NAS Synology avec Carbon Copy Cloner à côté parce que je suis parano et qu'on sait jamais...

Côté chauffe, la surprise est plutôt bonne, il reste froid / tiède même en plein transfert. Alors je suis pas sûr mais je me dis que le boîtier en alu du Mac Studio, joue peut-être un petit rôle de dissipateur thermique mais j'sais pas, peut-être pas... En tout cas, ça chauffe pas quoi.

Ce disque est compatible Mac, PC, Linux, et même iPhone Pro en USB-C comme ça si vous avez besoin de filmer de la 4K ProRes HDR direct sur un SSD plutôt que sur la mémoire interne, c'est possible ! Et il est garanti 5 ans, ce qui est toujours bon à prendre.

Voilà, si ça vous intéresse, le DATO Ares Q4 (lien affilié) est dispo sur Amazon en versions 1 To, 2 To ou 4 To .

UGREEN NASync Celebrates 2 Years – But Is UGREEN Ready for the Big Leagues?

Two years ago, the popular battery and PC accessory company UGREEN, launched their Kickstarter campaign for the NASync personal NAS series of devices. The brand already had a steadily growing foothold in China with their DX series of NAS devices, but were still a huge outsider in the world of NAS globally. Fast forward two years, a $6 Million crowdfunding campaign, 6 new NAS releases, a new NAS kickstarter in progress (the IDX6011 AI NAS) and generally undermining long-time players who have been in the NAS market for more than a decade – UGREEN is looking like quite a beast in the world of NAS! But two years, UGREEN now finds that along with an increased market position also comes increased demand, scrutiny and expectation. I went to Shenzhen, China, to speak directly with the teams who direct and create their NASync division to ask them them questions about the development of this series, lessons that were learnt, where they are going and what they still need to do to further establish their position in the turnkey NAS market.

Full Disclosure – this Q&A has NOT been sponsored, subsidised or creatively controlled by UGREEN. These questions are my own, submitted to UGREEN 48 hours prior to the interview, and the answers provided were directly from their team.

UGREEN was already a well-established company in its own right before it expanded into NAS systems. So, currently, what is the scale of the teams and resources that your company has allocated to this? R&D, Design, Development, Technical Support, etc?

UGREEN put together its NAS team back in 2018, released its first NAS product in China in 2021, and went global for the first time in 2024, bringing its NAS products to markets around the world. NAS is one of the company’s key strategic product lines, with a team of several hundred people working on it—including product, R&D, design, testing, security, and more. This doesn’t count shared support teams like industrial design, legal, or finance; we’re only talking about people directly focused on NAS. In this whole building, every floor is filled with NAS team members—except for the third floor, which is just the cafeteria.

What has been the biggest challenge in the continued development of your NASync/UGOS services in these last 2 years?

One challenge is resource allocation. We need to support international users at the same time, which means balancing different priorities and expectations. Another challenge is localization. It’s not just about language, but also understanding different user behaviors and usage scenarios. So we had to spend a lot more time to research and validate what users actually need in each region. Based on that, we’ve been continuously adjusting our product direction and improving UGOS to better fit a global audience. It’s definitely an ongoing process, but it’s helped us build a much clearer understanding of the market.

Two years on from your initial crowdfunding, your position in the ‘turnkey NAS market’ from comparative obscurity has catapulted to effectively being in the top 5 (if not top 3) – What do you think UGREEN have brought to the market (or change in the market as a whole) that caused this?

There are a few key things behind that.

Hardware DNA, Built for AI

UGREEN is a hardware company at heart. With our NAS products, we insist on solid hardware—high-performance CPUs, ample memory, high-performance CPUs and ample memory—not just for reliability, but for computing power. AI NAS demands serious performance. Without a strong hardware foundation, AI is nothing more than a concept. Our hardware is designed to make AI run stable and fast.

User-Centric, Not Just a Slogan

We’ve always put ourselves in our users’ shoes. We listen to every voice—on social media, in forums, through user interviews. Many of our features, like snapshots and SAN Manager, came directly from users telling us, “I need this.” Our products aren’t built in a vacuum; they’re shaped together with you.

R&D Investment, Bringing NAS to Everyone

We established our software R&D team, including an AI pre-research team, early on. User feedback has driven us to keep investing, with one goal in mind: to shorten the learning curve. NAS shouldn’t be just a toy for tech enthusiasts. We believe the future of NAS is for everyone—simple, smart, and accessible. This is the path we’re on, and it’s one we want to walk together with you.

The UGREEN IDX6011 AI NAS series has been in development for a long time, and will be headed to its own crowdfunding campaign shortly. What was the biggest challenge you faced in its development and/or lesson that you learned about this new profile of solution?

The biggest challenge was finding the right balance between AI capabilities and real user value. It’s relatively easy to add AI features from a technical perspective, but making them actually useful, stable, and well-integrated into everyday workflows is much harder. Especially on a NAS, NAS is essentially a local storage product, everything runs locally, so for us, it was important that AI features also run locally. But hardware resources and compute power are limited. So the question is, how do we build useful and stable AI features without affecting NAS core functionality like storage, backup and overall system performance? That’s very difficult.

And from product design perspective，it’s also challenging to define the right AI use cases. It’s not about adding more AI features, but making sure they are scenario-driven and actually solve real problems, like better file organization, smarter search, easier intraction… We need to keep the experience simple. Many users are still new to AI on a NAS, so we wanna make things natural and do not add extra complexity. So right now, we’re still in the process of refining and validating these ideas, and making sure we deliver something that’s both practical and reliable for users.

I think it would be fair to say that UGREEN has chiefly focused on Desktop NAS server ownership in their portfolio of solutions to date. But have you explored rackmount solutions, and/or is this something that could happen in the near future?

Actually we’ve done some internal research on rackmount solutions, it’s quite different from desktop NAS in terms of target audience, hardware, software and sales. So it’s not just an extension of what we’re doing now, it requires a different product strategy. For now, our focus is still on improving and expanding our desktop NAS lineup, in the short term, we don’t have a concrete plan for rackmount products, but it’s something we’ll continue to evaluate over time.

Now that UGREEN is a largely established player in the turnkey NAS market, there is a lot more scrutiny on the extent to which your brand preemptively prepares against cyber security threats. What is UGREEN doing to address (in terms of foundations on this platform and broader services) this to avoid a potential slow moving snowballing security incident?

Security is something we take very seriously. At the product level, we provide a range of built-in security features. For example, users can enable DoS protection to defend against network attacks, automatically block IP addresses after multiple failed login attempts, and set up firewall rules to control access from specific IP addresses and built-in Security app to scan for suspicious files We also have a dedicated internal security team and a well-established vulnerability handling process, so critical issues can be identified and resolved quickly. We also provide a vulnerability reporting channel on our official website. If users discover any potential security issues, they can report them to us, and we will assess and respond accordingly.

(Below is a snippet of the Security Disclosure page from UGREEN, available HERE)

At CES 2026, UGREEN unveiled its surveillance platform and edge AI cameras. At that time, your team was kind enough to allow me to see the early development of your NAS surveillance application that will allow full management, direct control and storage of these new Surveillance services. Is development still continuing on this and will this be a service that existing NASync owners will have access to in the future

Yes, development is still ongoing. The surveillance platform you saw at CES is actually a part we are exploring, and is still under active development. From what I understand, AIOT is a broad ecosystem that is going to feature ai NAS, ai-based home security cameras, and many more AI-empowered hardware devices for a smarter lifestyle. On the NAS side, we’re also building our own surveillance application for NASync. We plan to launch it within this year. In terms of compatibility, we aim to support both UGREEN cameras and third-party cameras, so users have more flexibility to build their setup. So overall, both sides are moving forward, but they are different products within the UGREEN ecosystem.

In the last year, UGREEN released two ARM RK chip-powered NAS solutions in the DH2300 and DH4300 – How easy/hard was scaling UGOS onto this more modest hardware base, and were there any useful lessons learned that have benefited your NAS development as a whole?

DH series is our entry-level lineup, designed mainly for NAS beginners and users with simpler needs. From a technical perspective, running UGOS on an ARM-based platform is definitely more constrained compared to x86, especially in terms of performance and resource availability. A lot of things can’t just be directly carried over, we need to re-adapt them for the ARM architecture, including the kernel, system services, and many core features. So we had to be more selective and thoughtful about which features to include and how to optimize them. And from a product perspective, it actually helped us become more focused. With the DXP series, we already emphasized user-friendliness, but with the DH series, we really wanted to take that further and make it as simple as possible, essentially positioning it as a user’s first NAS.

So in practice, we streamlined certain features based on the hardware and target users. For example, we simplified or did not include things like virtual machines and some AI capabilities, and instead focused on delivering a smooth and reliable core experience. One key lesson we learned is that not every product needs to do everything. It’s more important to match the right experience to the right user group. And that thinking has also helped us better define our overall NAS product lineup.

I canvased a large group of UGREEN NAS users (many of whom were part of your original Kickstarter campaign) who are still using their NASync systems to this day, and have followed you on your journey so far. I asked them which features or improvements they would like to see in future updates and revisions to UGOS. Are you able to share if these are features that are on the roadmap, or have been explored?

• Full Volume Encryption
• WORM support
• A mixed drive RAID storage system (comparable to Synology Hybrid RAID or Terramaster TRAID)
• A tiered storage system (unlike the copy system of ‘caching’, but a SSD+HDD composite pool that intelligently moves ‘hot’, ‘warm’ and ‘cold’ data to appropriate storage areas)
• ZFS as a file system choice
• A native Plex Media Server Application
• A local client application for Mac/Windows for file pinning, streaming, intelligent 30-day deletion (see Synology Drive, QNAP Qsync, etc)
• A more comprehensive security scanner (eg scanning for unsecure open ports, SSH being open, weak passwords, admin accounts, auto blocks disabled, etc)

 

We’ve actually seen many of these requests from our users as well, these are very valuable suggestions and we’ve already had internal discussions around most of them. But many of these features, like full volume encryption, hybrid RAID, or tiered storage are quite complex, they take time to design, develop and validate, especially we wanted to make them stable and reliable.

So at this stage, we don’t have a specific timeline we can share yet. But these are definitely things we take seriously, and we’ll plan them carefully based on user demand and overall product direction. If we see strong demand from users, we’ll absolutely prioritize them accordingly.

Thank you to the team at UGREEN for their time in this interview. As mentioned, the answers about were provided in their entirety and without prejudice. This will be a video soon that covers this, the tour of the facilities, as well as further discussion around the IDX6011 NAS Kickstarter and how this has been managed.

 

Want to Support the work me and Eddie do at NASCompares? If you found this article helpful and are going to buy a UGREEN NAS from the brand’s official site or from Amazon, use the links below. Using these links will result in a small commission coming to us (which costs you nothing extra) and it allows us to keep doing what we do! Thank you for keeping the internet a fair and sustainable place!

Buy the UGREEN NAS from your local Amazon Store	Buy the UGREEN NAS solutions Directly from UGREEN.COM

 

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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

 

Sharge Go Back to the Drawing Board, with the Disk Pro 2

The Sharge Disk Pro 2 is an upcoming portable storage and connectivity device that combines the functionality of a USB hub with external SSD support in a compact, credit card-sized form factor. Developed by Sharge, the device is designed to address the increasing demand for high-speed data access, external storage expansion, and multi-port connectivity across mobile and desktop platforms. Unlike conventional USB-C hubs or portable SSDs, the Disk Pro 2 merges both roles into a single unit, while also incorporating active cooling to maintain consistent performance under sustained workloads. At launch, it will be available in two variants, Lite and Ultra, which differ in display capability and power efficiency, introducing a tiered approach not seen in the previous model.

Positioned as a follow-up to the earlier Sharge Disk Pro, this new iteration shifts away from fixed internal storage and instead introduces support for user-installed SSDs in multiple M.2 form factors. Alongside this change, the device retains key characteristics such as 10Gbps data throughput, integrated power delivery, and video output capabilities, while adding refinements including magnetic attachment and a lanyard-style data cable. The Lite version features HDMI 2.0 and a higher power draw of around 4W, while the Ultra version includes HDMI 2.1 and operates at approximately 1W, providing a more efficient option with expanded display support. The Disk Pro 2 is scheduled to launch via Kickstarter, continuing the company’s established approach of introducing new hardware through crowdfunding platforms.

Sharge Disk Pro 2 – Design & Storage

The Sharge Disk Pro 2 maintains a compact footprint, measuring approximately 90 × 61 × 11 mm, aligning closely with the dimensions of a standard credit card. This size places it firmly in the category of ultra-portable accessories, designed to be carried alongside a smartphone or laptop without requiring additional space typically associated with external drives or docking stations. The chassis follows a flat, rectangular layout with integrated components distributed to maximize internal efficiency while preserving a slim profile. A defining aspect of the design is its transparent enclosure, which exposes internal components in a style often associated with “cyberpunk” aesthetics. This approach is not purely cosmetic, as it also highlights the inclusion of active cooling hardware within a device of this size. The visible fan and internal layout reinforce the product’s positioning as a performance-oriented device rather than a passive accessory, distinguishing it from more conventional sealed USB hubs. The external design remains consistent across both Lite and Ultra variants, with no physical differentiation beyond internal configuration.

The Disk Pro 2 introduces a magnetic mounting system intended for direct attachment to compatible devices. This includes native support for MagSafe-enabled smartphones, as well as the option to use included magnetic rings for broader compatibility with non-MagSafe hardware. The goal is to reduce cable strain and improve portability by allowing the hub and connected device to function as a single unit during use, particularly in mobile workflows such as handheld video capture or on-the-go file transfers. Another physical design element is the inclusion of a detachable lanyard-style cable that supports both data and power delivery. This integrated approach removes the need for users to carry separate cables for connectivity, while also doubling as a carrying mechanism. The included cable is specified as a 24-pin pure copper design, supporting up to 10Gbps data transfer, power delivery, and DisplayPort signal passthrough.

In terms of storage, the Disk Pro 2 departs from the fixed-capacity approach of the earlier Sharge Disk Pro. Instead of pre-installed flash memory, it supports user-installed M.2 SSDs in 2230, 2242, and 2280 form factors, with a maximum supported capacity of up to 8TB. This change introduces flexibility in both capacity selection and potential future upgrades, allowing users to tailor storage based on their requirements rather than being limited to predefined configurations. The choice between Lite and Ultra models does not affect storage compatibility, with both versions offering the same SSD support and expansion capabilities.

Sharge Disk Pro 2 – Internal Hardware

At the core of the Sharge Disk Pro 2 is a multi-controller architecture described as an independent 4-chip control system. Each major function, including storage access, USB expansion, video output, and power delivery, is handled by a dedicated controller. This separation is intended to improve stability and reduce bandwidth contention when multiple ports are in use simultaneously, particularly under sustained workloads such as file transfers while outputting video and supplying power. A central feature of the internal design is the active cooling system, referred to as the “Ice-storm” fan. Operating at speeds of up to 10,000 RPM, the fan is designed to maintain consistent thermal conditions during extended data transfers. The system includes three operational modes: OFF, Auto, and Turbo. In Auto mode, fan speed adjusts based on internal temperatures, while Turbo maintains maximum cooling performance. This approach addresses a common limitation in compact hubs and SSD enclosures, where passive cooling can lead to thermal throttling under load. The cooling system is consistent across both Lite and Ultra variants, with no differentiation in thermal hardware between the two models.

The storage interface supports M.2 NVMe SSDs across multiple physical formats, with a maximum capacity of up to 8TB. Data transfer is handled over a 10Gbps USB interface, setting an upper limit on throughput but aligning with typical USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance expectations. The combination of active cooling and dedicated controllers is intended to sustain transfer speeds closer to this ceiling over longer periods, rather than allowing performance to degrade as temperatures increase. Differences between the Lite and Ultra versions are not related to storage or controller design, but instead focus on power efficiency and display output, meaning internal data handling performance should remain consistent regardless of variant selection.

Sharge Disk Pro 2 – Ports & Connections

The Sharge Disk Pro 2 integrates a total of 6 ports, combining data transfer, display output, and power delivery within a single device. These include 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port, 1 HDMI output, and dual card reader slots for SD and microSD media. This configuration positions the device as a compact alternative to larger desktop docking stations, while maintaining compatibility with a wide range of peripherals and storage formats. The primary USB-C interface (USB-C1) supports 10Gbps data transfer alongside up to 100W power input, allowing the connected host device to be charged while the hub is in use. A secondary USB-C port (USB-C2) provides up to 80W power output, enabling downstream charging for connected devices. The inclusion of both input and output power delivery allows the hub to function as an intermediary between a power source and multiple connected devices without interrupting data throughput. This overall port layout remains consistent across both Lite and Ultra variants.

Video output capabilities differ between the two versions. The Ultra model includes HDMI 2.1, supporting resolutions up to 4K at 144Hz or 8K at 30Hz, depending on the host system and display compatibility. In contrast, the Lite version is equipped with HDMI 2.0, which reduces maximum output capabilities accordingly. Outside of this distinction, additional connectivity is provided through a USB-A 3.0 port operating at up to 5Gbps, alongside SD and microSD card slots with rated read speeds up to 180MB/s and write speeds up to 120MB/s. The included lanyard cable also functions as a full-featured USB-C connection, supporting 10Gbps data transfer, up to 100W power input, and DisplayPort signal transmission, reducing reliance on separate cables during use.

Sharge Disk Pro vs Sharge Disk Pro 2

The transition from the original Sharge Disk Pro to the Sharge Disk Pro 2 represents a shift in both hardware architecture and product segmentation. The Disk Pro is fundamentally an all-in-one device, combining fixed internal NVMe storage with a compact multi-port hub and active cooling, positioned as a self-contained solution for users who want storage and connectivity without additional components. It integrates storage capacities up to 4TB and was originally sold in tiered pricing depending on capacity . In contrast, the Disk Pro 2 removes onboard storage entirely and instead supports user-installed M.2 SSDs up to 8TB, changing the device into a modular enclosure and hub hybrid rather than a pre-configured storage product. This also alters the pricing structure significantly, as the Disk Pro 2 is sold as a standalone unit starting at $49 for the Lite version and $69 for the Ultra version, separating the cost of storage from the hardware itself.

Beyond storage, the Disk Pro 2 introduces clearer product tiering with Lite and Ultra variants, something not present in the original model. The Lite version reduces cost by using HDMI 2.0 and operating at a higher power draw of around 4W, while the Ultra version includes HDMI 2.1 and lowers power consumption to approximately 1W. Both retain the same core concept of combining data transfer, display output, and power delivery into a compact device, but the newer model expands connectivity with additional ports, including SD and microSD slots. Both generations maintain active cooling as a central feature, designed to prevent thermal throttling during sustained transfers, a capability that has been demonstrated in testing of the original device where performance remained stable under load . Physically, both devices share a similar credit card-sized footprint and transparent design, but the Disk Pro 2 refines usability with a detachable lanyard cable and broader magnetic compatibility. Overall, the original model prioritizes simplicity and integration, while the newer version emphasizes flexibility, lower entry cost, and configurable storage.

 

Sharge Disk Pro 2 – Launch Date and Price?

The Sharge Disk Pro 2 is scheduled to launch via a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, with the campaign planned to go live on June 9. As with previous releases from Sharge, this approach places the product in an early-access phase prior to wider retail availability, meaning final specifications and delivery timelines may still be subject to change. The device will be offered in two distinct variants, allowing users to choose between different feature sets and efficiency profiles at launch. The entry-level Lite version is priced at $49 and features HDMI 2.0 output with a higher reported power consumption of around 4W. The higher-tier Ultra version is priced at $69 and includes HDMI 2.1 support, alongside a lower power draw of approximately 1W. Both versions are expected to ship with a 24-pin pure copper lanyard-style cable that supports data transfer, charging, and DisplayPort signal transmission. This tiered pricing structure introduces a lower entry point compared to earlier expectations, while still separating features such as display capability and power efficiency between the two models.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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

 

Un problème de configuration de base de données provoquait des écritures massives sur le stockage des joueurs. Un correctif a depuis été publié.

L’article Vous avez installé ce jeu Steam ? Votre SSD est peut-être déjà en train de rendre l’âme est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.

Terramaster D1 SSD (IP67 Waterproof & 1.2-Ton Crush Resistance and Silent)

April 28, 2026 | The Professional storage brand TerraMaster today officially introduces the all-new rugged portable SSD enclosure — D1 SSD. Designed for users who demand both data security and high-speed performance, the D1 SSD features an aircraft-grade all-metal chassis, IP67 water and dust resistance, and 1.2-ton crush resistance. Combined with high-speed data transfer, silent cooling, and broad platform compatibility, it becomes an ideal storage companion for photographers, outdoor professionals, and mobile workers.

Three Layers of Protection Build an Unbreakable Data Shield：

1. Solid All-Metal Chassis for High-Intensity Work Environments

 The D1 SSD adopts a unibody aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction. The full-metal enclosure offers excellent scratch resistance and corrosion protection, making it well-suited for long-term, heavy-duty usage. Whether facing extreme temperature differences outdoors or constant wear from mobile work, the enclosure ensures stable operation, extended lifespan, and reliable storage performance for professional users.

2. IP67 Water & Dust Resistance for Harsh Conditions

 Equipped with precision silicone sealing rings, the D1 SSD meets IP67 certification standards. It can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and is fully protected against dust and splashes. From rainy outdoor shoots and desert environments to construction sites, the enclosure safeguards both the SSD and your data. Protection performance is verified by internationally recognized testing organizations such as SGS.

3. 1.2-Ton Crush Resistance with Shock & Drop Protection

 The aircraft-grade aluminum unibody structure enables the enclosure to withstand up to 1.2 tons of vehicle-level pressure. Its dedicated shock-resistant internal design absorbs impacts from drops and collisions during daily use. Even under extreme external force, internal drives and data remain fully protected—eliminating the fragility issues of ordinary enclosures.

High-Speed Performance with Silent Operation and Broad Compatibility

 The D1 SSD features a USB 3.2 Gen2 interface, supports UASP protocol and TRIM optimization, and delivers real-world sequential read/write speeds of up to 1020 MB/s. Transferring a 1GB file takes just seconds, making it ideal for 4K video editing and large photo backups. The all-metal housing provides 2.5× larger heat dissipation area, while the fanless passive cooling design ensures completely silent operation.

 The enclosure supports up to 8TB single-drive capacity and is compatible with M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs based on PCIe 3.0 / 4.0 / 5.0 standards. It can store up to 2.79 million high-resolution photos or 5,400 HD movies. Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, it also connects to computers, TVs, and OTG-enabled smartphones for true plug-and-play use.

Additionally, the D1 SSD supports one-touch photo backup via the TerraMaster TDAS mobile app. Once connected, photos are automatically synchronized from your smartphone, with data stored locally to prevent privacy leakage and enable efficient cross-device file management.

 Designed for Multiple Usage Scenarios:

• Photographers & Outdoor Professionals

Rugged protection handles complex environments, enabling fast backups and eliminating data loss risks. Ideal for field exploration, construction sites, and harsh outdoor conditions.

• Mobile Professionals & Students

Ultra-lightweight at only 146g, pocket-sized design, and instant file transfer create a portable “light office” anywhere.

• General Users & Mac Professionals

Perfect as an external expansion drive or boot drive—quiet, stable, and plug-and-play.

Availability & Service

The TerraMaster D1 SSD is now officially available through the TerraMaster website (https://www.terra-master.com/) and authorized global channels. Customers who purchase within the first two weeks of launch can enjoy a 15% discount. The product is backed by a two-year global warranty and lifetime technical support for a worry-free user experience.

Interested in the D1 SSD, or want to know more about the rest of the D1 SSD Range, below are the specs and prices for the D1 SSD (10Gb/s), D1 SSD PLUS (40Gb/s) and D1 SSD Pro (80Gb/s):

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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

 

Aoostar WTR Max… but with an Intel i5 Now

The Aoostar WTR Max Intel version is best understood, at least at this stage, as an early preview of a known NAS design rather than a finished retail product. The unit sent to me appears to retain the same general WTR Max concept as the earlier 2025 model, built around a compact 6-bay SATA layout plus 5 M.2 NVMe slots, while replacing the Ryzen 7 8845HS used in the current WTR Max 8845 with Intel’s Core i5-1235U. That CPU change is significant because these 2 processors target different kinds of systems: the Ryzen 7 8845HS is an 8-core, 16-thread chip with a 45W default TDP and boost speeds up to 5.1GHz, whereas the Core i5-1235U is a 10-core, 12-thread Alder Lake-U part with 2 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores, a 15W processor base power, and a launch date going back to Q1 2022. On paper, that makes the Intel version a potentially more efficiency-focused or cost-focused variation of the same platform, rather than a direct step up from the AMD model. That distinction matters, because this is not yet a product with confirmed pricing, confirmed availability, or a final release timetable, so the more useful question at this stage is not whether it definitively replaces the existing WTR Max 8845, but whether Aoostar is preparing to turn this chassis into a broader platform with multiple hardware tiers built around different CPUs and buyer priorities.

If this version works as intended, its appeal is fairly easy to understand even before full launch details are known. The original WTR Max formula already stands out because it combines high drive density, modern external connectivity, and small-footprint DIY NAS flexibility in a way that relatively few systems currently do, and an Intel alternative could broaden that appeal for buyers who prefer Intel media features, lower-power mobile silicon, or simply a lower entry point than the Ryzen-based model if Aoostar prices it accordingly. At the same time, this remains a first look at hardware provided by the brand, not a final buying recommendation. Until Aoostar confirms retail positioning, regional availability, and exact specifications for this Intel edition, it makes more sense to treat the device as an interesting platform variation with clear practical potential, rather than a confirmed replacement for the existing AMD version already listed by Aoostar at $669 in its current storefront

---

The Aoostar WTR MAX Nas is available from the following places: Aoostar WTR Max NAS $699 on Amazon – HERE Aoostar WTR Max NAS $679 on Official Site – HERE Aoostar R1 N150 2-Bay NAS $179 – HERE Aoostar R7 4-Bay NAS $419 – HERE Aoostar R7 2-Bay 5825U NAS $399 – HERE Aoostar Oculink 800W ePCIe Docking Station $169 – HERE Aoostar GEN12 Gen4 PC $374 on AliExpress – HERE

Aoostar WTR Max Intel Version – Storage

The storage layout appears to be unchanged from the earlier WTR Max 8845 design. Physically, this platform combines 6 SATA drive bays with 5 M.2 2280 NVMe slots, giving it a mixed storage approach that is more flexible than most compact DIY NAS systems in the same size class. Aoostar’s official specification for the current WTR Max 8845 lists support for up to 6 x 24TB SATA HDDs and 5 NVMe SSDs, with the M.2 allocation split across PCIe 4.0 x2 and PCIe 4.0 x1 links rather than giving every slot the same bandwidth. In practical terms, that matters less for bulk storage and more for how the system is likely to be used: large-capacity SATA bays can be assigned to primary data, backup, or archive duties, while the NVMe slots are better suited to cache, application storage, containers, VMs, or high-speed working data. For a NAS aimed at users choosing their own OS and storage strategy, that mixed topology is one of the main reasons the WTR Max platform is notable in the first place.

The Intel Core i5-1235U is also a sensible fit for this kind of storage-heavy design because, like the Ryzen 7 8845HS used in the existing AMD version, it supports up to 20 PCIe lanes and PCIe 4.0 connectivity. That does not automatically mean the Intel model will perform identically in every storage scenario, because lane routing, controller choice, and motherboard implementation still determine how those lanes are divided between SATA, NVMe, USB4, OCuLink, and networking. Even so, on an early preview basis, the key point is that Aoostar does not appear to have changed the overall storage proposition of the WTR Max by moving to Intel. The appeal here remains the same: this is a compact chassis that can hold a large amount of slower capacity storage alongside a meaningful amount of flash storage, which makes it suitable for users who want both traditional NAS volume space and a faster SSD tier in the same enclosure.

Aoostar WTR Max Intel Version – Ports and Connections

The Aoostar WTR Max platform is already unusually well equipped on connectivity, and the Intel preview unit appears to preserve that same approach. On the currently listed WTR Max 8845 model, Aoostar specifies 2 x 10GbE SFP+ ports based on the Intel X710 controller, alongside 2 x 2.5GbE LAN ports, 1 x USB4 port, 1 x OCuLink port, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, 1 x Type C port, 1 x HDMI output, a 3.5mm audio jack, a microSD card slot, and DC input. In practical terms, that gives the system a broader mix of storage, networking, and external expansion connectivity than most compact DIY NAS solutions, especially once the dual 10GbE and OCuLink are factored in. For an early preview, that matters because the appeal of the Intel version is not just the CPU change itself, but the fact that Aoostar seems to be pairing that CPU with the same high-connectivity platform rather than trimming the I/O to create a lower-tier model.

From the CPU side, the Core i5-1235U also makes sense in a system that leans heavily on external I/O. Intel’s official specifications list support for Thunderbolt 4 and PCIe 4.0, which aligns well with the inclusion of USB4 and helps explain why this processor can still fit into a NAS design with multiple high-bandwidth ports despite being a lower-power mobile chip. By comparison, the Ryzen 7 8845HS used in the current AMD version is the stronger processor in raw core configuration and sustained power class, but the Intel option may still hold practical appeal for buyers who place more value on Intel platform familiarity, media handling, or a potentially lower-cost entry point into the same chassis.

At this stage, though, the key observation is simply that Aoostar does not appear to have repositioned the WTR Max Intel model as a cut-down connectivity variant. Based on the preview hardware and the existing WTR Max specification, this still looks like a NAS platform built around unusually broad networking and expansion options first, with the CPU choice acting as the variable element.

Aoostar WTR Max Intel Version – Internal Hardware

Internally, the previewed WTR Max Intel unit appears to follow the same motherboard and chassis logic as the existing AMD-based design, with the main change being the move to Intel’s Core i5-1235U. That processor combines 10 cores and 12 threads in a hybrid layout made up of 2 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores, supports PCIe 4.0, and provides up to 20 PCIe lanes to distribute across storage, networking, and external expansion.

*Thanks to TechnicalCity and Nanoreview for their comparisons of these two processors

It also supports up to 64GB of memory officially on Intel’s own specification pages, across 2 channels, and does not list ECC memory support. By comparison, the Ryzen 7 8845HS commonly associated with this class of WTR Max hardware is an 8-core, 16-thread processor with PCIe 4.0, 20 usable PCIe lanes, support for DDR5-5600, and a much higher maximum supported memory capacity on AMD’s specification sheet. In simple terms, the Intel version looks less like a redesign of the platform and more like a rebalancing of it, using a lower-power mobile CPU that still has enough I/O resources to support the dense hardware layout that defines the WTR Max.

That internal trade-off is likely where the Intel model will either make sense or not, depending on the intended workload. The Ryzen 7 8845HS remains the stronger chip on paper for sustained multi-threaded tasks, heavier virtualization, and broader memory headroom, while the Core i5-1235U shifts the system toward a more efficiency-oriented profile and brings Intel’s integrated graphics stack into the equation. For a NAS like this, that could matter for media-focused deployments, lighter VM use, or users who simply prefer Intel’s platform characteristics, but it also means the Intel version should not automatically be viewed as equivalent to the AMD model in raw processing terms.

It is also worth noting that Aoostar’s current public WTR Max 8845 materials refer to the retail model as using a Ryzen 7 PRO 8845HS rather than the standard Ryzen 7 8845HS, which suggests the final retail naming and CPU positioning around this series may still vary depending on region or configuration. As an early preview, the most accurate conclusion is that the internal hardware remains recognisably WTR Max in structure, but the CPU choice changes the expected character of the system more than the exterior suggests.

Aoostar WTR Max Intel Version – Price, Launch Date, More?

At the time of writing, Aoostar has not publicly listed this Intel Core i5-1235U version of the WTR Max on its storefront, so price, release date, and regional availability remain unconfirmed. By contrast, the currently listed WTR Max 8845 is shown on Aoostar’s site at $669, reduced from $699, and the product naming has shifted to specifically identify that model as the WTR Max 8845 rather than simply the WTR Max. That naming detail is relevant because it suggests Aoostar may be preparing the chassis for more than 1 CPU configuration, even if the Intel variant has not yet been formally announced. The Core i5-1235U itself is not a new processor, having launched in Q1 2022 with a 15W processor base power, while the Ryzen 7 8845HS used in the 2025 WTR Max model is a newer and higher-power chip with an 8-core, 16-thread design and a 45W default TDP. Taken together, that makes the Intel preview unit look less like a replacement for the existing AMD version and more like a possible alternative tier within the same product family.

The more important question is what Aoostar intends to do with this platform next. If the company keeps the same chassis, storage layout, and broad I/O design while offering multiple CPU variants, the WTR Max could become a more flexible series rather than a single fixed model. In that context, an Intel version would make sense as a lower-cost or differently positioned option for buyers who do not need the stronger processing profile of the Ryzen 7 8845HS, or who specifically want an Intel-based media and virtualization platform. At this stage, though, that remains an informed reading of the hardware direction rather than a confirmed launch plan. Since this unit was sent as an early preview sample and Aoostar has not yet published a retail page for the Intel edition, the most accurate conclusion is that the WTR Max Intel version is promising as a product idea, but still undefined in the areas that matter most for a final purchasing decision: official pricing, shipping regions, final specification sheet, and release timing.

The Aoostar WTR MAX Nas is available from the following places: Aoostar WTR Max NAS $699 on Amazon – HERE Aoostar WTR Max NAS $679 on Official Site – HERE Aoostar R1 N150 2-Bay NAS $179 – HERE Aoostar R7 4-Bay NAS $419 – HERE Aoostar R7 2-Bay 5825U NAS $399 – HERE Aoostar Oculink 800W ePCIe Docking Station $169 – HERE Aoostar GEN12 Gen4 PC $374 on AliExpress – HERE

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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