The UGreen NASync Series is Coming to Kickstarter – Should You Back It?

IMPORTANT March 22 Update – The UGREEN DXP4800 PLUS NAS Review is NOW LIVE, watch it HERE, read it HERE and learn about the Software HERE and HERE

(Original Article)

Arriving on Kickstarter very soon, the UGreen NASync series of devices is an incredibly bold move by the relatively small Chinese computer accessories brand. Arriving with some genuinely industry-challenging hardware, six different configurations, and a multitude of high-bandwidth external connections spread across them, and even rocking out a competitively priced desktop flash system, it sounds like the DXP series of devices is really aiming for the sun here! Today, I want to go through each of these systems that UGreen is promising, discuss the logic, perhaps, behind the choice of crowdfunding to fund the product, and try to help you decide whether this series of devices, coming hopefully later in 2024, deserves your data!

The UGreen NASync DXP Range Hardware Specifications

Ugreen is rolling out this new series of NAS devices across six different hardware revisions, which is quite unusual for a product being launched on crowdfunding but is understandable for an established brand. Clearly, Ugreen wants to present a very strong and confident front in this new arm of their hardware business (a great example of this would be looking at the brand Sabrent, who for a long time were chiefly associated with docking stations and storage cases but now have a comparatively huge presence in the field of SSDs and even memory). Each of the solutions that Ugreen is promoting here can be broken into the standard, plus, and pro series, with each device improving in storage capabilities, network capabilities, and internal hardware. Alongside the five hard drive-focused devices, there is also a dedicated desktop NVMe flash model, which benefits from the heightened internal and external hardware attributes of its larger siblings. That said, each of the tower starter models also features additional M.2 NVMe slots that have varying levels of bandwidth and speed allocation due to the choice between the three CPUs available: the N100, the Pentium Gold, or the Lakefield model and the mobile SoC i5 model. Let’s compare the specifications of each below:

Specification	DXP2800	DXP4800	DXP4800 Plus	DXP6800 Pro	DXP8800 Plus	DXP480T Plus
Kickstarter Launch	$239.99	$359.99	$419.99	$599.99	$899.99	$479.99
MSRP	$399	$559	$699	$999	$1499	$779
Operating System	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro
CPU Model	N100	N100	8505	1235u	1235u	1235u
CPU Brand	Intel	Intel	Intel	Intel	Intel	Intel
CPU Architecture	X86 12th Gen N Series	X86 12th Gen N Series	X86 12th Gen Intel Pentium Gold	X86 12th Gen Intel Core i5	X86 12th Gen Intel Core i5	X86 12th Gen Intel Core i5
Cores/Threads	4/4	4/4	5/6	10/12	10/12	10/12
Memory (RAM)	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5
ODECC Support	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported
Expandable RAM (max)	16GB	16GB	64GB	64GB	64GB	64GB
Flash Memory (System Disk)	eMMC 32GB	eMMC 32GB	SSD 128GB	SSD 128GB	SSD 128GB	SSD 128GB
SATA Drive Bays	2	4	4	6	8	0
M.2 SSD Drive Slots	2	2	2	2	2	4

The UGreen NASync series presents a choice of CPUs across its range, tailored to different performance needs and price points. The entry-level Intel N100, featured in the DXP2800, is a mobile processor launched in January 2023, offering 4 cores and 4 threads with a boost frequency of up to 3.4 GHz. Its low 6W TDP suggests a design aimed at energy efficiency, with a production process size of 10 nm, denoting a relatively modern chip design. Here’s a comparison table for the Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor 8505, Intel® Core i5-1235U Processor, and Intel® Processor N100:

Specification	Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor 8505	Intel® Core i5-1235U Processor	Intel® Processor N100
Product Collection	Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor Series	12th Generation Intel® Core i5 Processors	Intel® Processor N-series
Vertical Segment	Mobile	Mobile	Mobile
Processor Number	8505	i5-1235U	N100
Lithography	Intel 7	Intel 7	Intel 7
Total Cores	5	10	4
# of Performance-cores	1	2	–
# of Efficient-cores	4	8	–
Total Threads	6	12	4
Max Turbo Frequency	4.40 GHz	4.40 GHz	3.40 GHz
Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency	4.40 GHz	4.40 GHz	–
Efficient-core Max Turbo Frequency	3.30 GHz	3.30 GHz	–
Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	12 MB Intel® Smart Cache	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Processor Base Power	15 W	15 W	–
Maximum Turbo Power	55 W	55 W	–
Minimum Assured Power	–	12 W	–
TDP	–	–	6 W
Marketing Status	Launched	Launched	Launched
Launch Date	Q1’22	Q1’22	Q1’23
Embedded Options Available	No	No	No
Max Memory Size	64 GB	64 GB	16 GB
Memory Types	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s, Up to LPDDR5 5200 MT/s, Up to LPDDR4x 4267 MT/s	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s, Up to LPDDR5 5200 MT/s, Up to LPDDR4x 4267 MT/s	DDR4 3200 MT/s, DDR5 4800 MT/s, LPDDR5 4800 MT/s
Max # of Memory Channels	2	2	1
ECC Memory Supported ‡	No	No	No
Maximum Memory Speed	–	–	4800 MHz
GPU Name‡	Intel® UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel® Processors	Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics eligible	Intel® UHD Graphics
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency	1.10 GHz	1.20 GHz	750 MHz
Graphics Output	eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1	eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1	eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, MIPI-DSI 1.3
Execution Units	48	80	24
Max Resolution (HDMI)‡	4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz	4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz	4096 x 2160@60Hz
Max Resolution (DP)‡	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz	4096 x 2160@60Hz
DirectX* Support	12.1	12.1	12.1
OpenGL* Support	4.6	4.6	4.6
OpenCL* Support	3.0	3.0	3.0

This processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, ensuring flexibility for users in their system builds. However, the N100’s single-channel memory interface and the absence of ECC memory support reflect its positioning as a budget-friendly option within the NASync lineup.

In terms of connectivity, the UGreen NASync devices offer a variety of options to accommodate different user needs. The series features USB 3.2 ports, with some models including front panel Type-C ports that support up to 10Gb/s transfer rates. High-speed networking is a highlight, with models like the DXP6800 Pro and DXP8800 Plus boasting dual 10Gb Ethernet ports, potentially offering a combined 20Gb/s network throughput when used concurrently. Thunderbolt 4 ports in the higher-end models further enhance the possibilities for high-speed external connections and daisy-chaining of compatible devices.

Storage flexibility is a key attribute of the NASync series, with models ranging from 2 to 8 SATA drive bays, catering to different scale requirements from personal use to more demanding business applications. M.2 NVMe slots are included for faster, more modern storage solutions, with bandwidth and speed allocations varying by model, dictated by the choice of the three different CPUs available. This tiered approach allows potential buyers to select a NAS solution that matches their storage size and speed needs without paying for unnecessary additional capabilities.

Who Are UGreen?

Ugreen, a brand that has been around in one form or another for more than a decade, is chiefly associated with power adapters, computer accessories, and generally providing solutions to connect one device to another. In recent years, they have gained a fairly enviable reputation, featuring on a number of prominent tech platforms with moderately high regard for their solutions. Ugreen is not the first largely computer accessory-related brand to decide to try its hand at their own NAS solution. Partway through 2023, we saw the affordable consumer laptop brand LincPlus take to crowdfunding to launch their own dedicated flash NAS system, the LincStation N1, which just started to receive at the start of 2024 to mostly positive responses. Ugreen first revealed their intention toward an in-house NAS system partway through 2023, and although the system has since seen a few specification changes and even a complete naming change from DXP to the NASync series, they have been quite outspoken at a few big marketing events. Probably one of the biggest that they attended, and in quite a prominent display, was CES 2024 right at the start of this year with a large stand, promoting the majority of their products but with a particularly large presentation on their NAS solutions. Once again, this saw quite universal coverage and, I guess, I can totally see why a user would opt for a Ugreen solution if they have had positive experiences with them in the past. However, why Kickstarter? Why crowdfunding?

Why Would An Established Tech Brand Choose to Launch on Kickstarter?

It is a really good question! If a brand already has a long-running history of product distribution via normal retail outlets such as Amazon and Newegg, why would they suddenly choose to use crowdfunding to sell their new and ambitious product? 2023 and 2024 saw a huge number of new private NAS solutions arrive on the market via crowdfunding. Alongside LincPlus mentioned earlier, there was also the ZimaCube system from SkyWhale. This featured specifications not dissimilar in configuration to the Ugreen NAS systems. However, SkyWhale had two previous successful crowdfunding campaigns under their belt, and therefore it seems quite natural that they would opt for this model in their third release.

Discussing this with numerous brands in the past, the main reasons outlined to me have been the following:

One, crowdfunding allows relatively small and lesser-known brands to ascertain the level of popularity and engagement that they might achieve for a product prior to a formal release. If they promote a system’s capabilities (both hardware and software) and engagement is low, this allows them to not allocate large budgets that they can ill afford to a project that may perhaps be doomed to failure.

Two, a number of relatively small Chinese brands have difficulty forming marketing, distribution, and engagement with Western audiences. Not necessarily for reasons of language barriers either; this is the days of Google Translate, of course! Mainly, this comes down to understanding Western audiences, marketing on Western-focused social media platforms, and even understanding the requirements that that audience and its level of technological understanding need addressing. For a Chinese manufacturer to use crowdfunding platforms, they not only do it to garner money from the audience for their product but also to take advantage of an established marketing system, tools, and third-party supported social distribution that they neither have nor 100% understand. This can often lead to the crowdfunding campaigns perhaps being a touch overzealous in the marketing of a product that for them they do not understand implicitly, but this is certainly an allure for smaller Eastern companies to be able to distribute their product globally to a high degree of success.

Predominantly, those are the two main reasons that I find explained to me by Eastern brands that utilize the crowdfunding model to promote their product. I have both good and bad stories of server products going through the crowdfunding machine (read the full article here and watch the full video here on NAS Compares for more details on individual cases), but I do think there is a positive argument for why Eastern brands utilize crowdfunding to promote their products.

How much will the UGreen NASync Series Cost and When Will It Launch?

The UGreen NASync series is poised to make a notable entrance into the NAS market with a range of devices that cater to different storage and performance needs. With the Kickstarter launch prices set attractively at $239.99 for the entry-level DXP2800 and scaling up to $899.99 for the high-end DXP8800 Plus, UGreen is competitively positioning its products. The mid-range DXP4800 and DXP4800 Plus are tagged at $359.99 and $419.99 respectively, while the specialized NVMe-focused DXP480T Plus is introduced at $479.99. Post-crowdfunding, the retail prices, also known as the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are expected to be significantly higher—almost doubling for some models, like the DXP2800 with an MSRP of $399 and the DXP8800 Plus which will retail for $1499. This pricing strategy not only provides an incentive for early backers but also underscores the value proposition of getting in early on the Kickstarter campaign. Nevertheless, THIS IS CROWDFUNDING and therefore not the same as buying from your usual retail outlet, be aware. UGreen is tapping into the growing buzz of middle-ground solutions between turnkey options from Synology/QNAP and BYO/DiY options that retire time and knowledge to build. If you are on the fence, there isn’t a tremendous rush, as crowdfunding officially begins on March 12th (see link below). We will be keeping an eye on this one as the weeks go on!

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