Week 26 Tech Roundup – Compact NAS Launches, microSD Express Speeds, NAND Forecasts, and Synology’s Global Release

This week in storage and networking technology, we’re seeing a strong trend toward energy-efficient NAS hardware, ultra-fast removable storage, and growing demand for high-endurance NAND solutions in industrial sectors. Meanwhile, Synology’s long-anticipated DS1525+ NAS has officially launched for global users, marking a notable expansion in AMD-powered NAS offerings. Here’s your detailed breakdown of the top developments from Week 26.

1. LincStation N2 Quiet NAS Now Shipping – Compact, Fanless, and SSD-First Design for Home Labs and Small Offices

The newly launched LincStation N2 NAS by LincPlus is now shipping globally and presents a compelling alternative for users looking for a compact, silent, and SSD-optimized network storage solution. Powered by the Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor, the LincStation N2 is designed for home server enthusiasts, digital creators, and remote workers seeking a quiet yet capable personal cloud.

Key technical specifications include dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, 2 x SATA bays for 3.5”/2.5” drives, and 2 x M.2 NVMe SSD slots, enabling hybrid or full-flash configurations. The system ships with 8GB DDR4 RAM and supports up to 16GB for heavier workloads like Docker containers or Plex media transcoding.

Running the custom LincOS operating system, the N2 provides a user-friendly interface with built-in support for SMB/CIFS sharing, snapshots, Time Machine backups, and app deployment. It’s ideal for use as a media server, personal Nextcloud hub, or even a lightweight AI development box.

With a fanless aluminum chassis, the device operates silently—an increasingly rare feature in the budget NAS market.

🔗 Buy or learn more – LincStation N2 from LincPlus

2. Buffalo Ends Consumer NAS Production – Exit Marks the End of an Era for LinkStation and TeraStation Lines

Buffalo Technology, once a popular name in the consumer and SMB NAS market, has officially stepped away from NAS production, signaling the end of its LinkStation and TeraStation product families. The company has discontinued NAS development amid intensifying competition from brands like Synology, QNAP, and TerraMaster.

Buffalo’s NAS systems were known for their simplicity and preconfigured RAID storage. The LinkStation series targeted home users and media storage, while the TeraStation line was geared toward small and medium-sized businesses with features like Active Directory integration and hardware RAID.

While Buffalo continues to offer networking peripherals like routers and switches, its departure from the NAS segment leaves behind a legacy of user-friendly storage devices that catered to non-technical audiences.

🔗 Buffalo Products (archived reference)

3. TEAMGROUP Unveils microSD Express Card with PCIe Speeds – APEX SD7.1 Offers 800 MB/s in Fingertip Format

TEAMGROUP has introduced the APEX SD7.1 microSD Express card, pushing the boundaries of removable storage by leveraging PCIe Gen3 x1 and NVMe 1.3 protocols—technologies typically reserved for internal SSDs. With peak read speeds of 800 MB/s and write speeds up to 700 MB/s, this microSD card outperforms UHS-I and even UHS-II memory cards by a significant margin.

This performance level makes the APEX SD7.1 card ideal for edge AI devices, high-speed video capture (up to 8K resolution), and mobile gaming systems requiring fast load times. It also features SLC caching for improved burst performance and power-loss protection to safeguard data in industrial or drone deployments.

While microSD Express remains a niche standard due to limited host support, TEAMGROUP’s new product represents a major step toward mainstreaming high-speed removable storage.

🔗 TEAMGROUP APEX microSD Express Card Announcement

4. SLC NAND Flash Market Set to Exceed $16.4 Billion by 2031 – Industrial Applications Drive Growth

According to a new industry report, the SLC NAND flash memory market is projected to surpass USD $16.4 billion by 2031, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. Despite the growing dominance of TLC and QLC NAND in consumer devices, SLC (single-level cell) NAND remains essential for embedded systems and industrial applications where data integrity, ultra-low latency, and write endurance are mission-critical.

With endurance levels exceeding 100,000 program/erase cycles, SLC NAND is a preferred choice in automotive ECUs, military-grade SSDs, aerospace telemetry, robotics, and medical diagnostic devices. Its deterministic behavior under wide temperature ranges and volatile environments ensures data stability where consumer-grade flash cannot compete.

Manufacturers like ATP, Innodisk, and Transcend continue to offer SLC SSDs with custom firmware, extended lifespan, and optional conformal coating for harsh deployments.

🔗 Full report summary via TechPowerUp

5. Synology DS1525+ Now Available Worldwide – 5-Bay AMD NAS with NVMe and PCIe Expansion

Synology has officially rolled out the DiskStation DS1525+ NAS to global markets, expanding its portfolio of AMD-powered systems aimed at advanced home and business users. Equipped with the AMD Ryzen R1600 dual-core processor and support for up to 32 GB of ECC DDR4 memory, the DS1525+ brings a notable upgrade path to users of the older DS1520+ or DS1522+.

The unit includes 5 x 3.5”/2.5” SATA drive bays, 2 x M.2 NVMe SSD slots for caching or storage pools, and a PCIe Gen3 x2 slot supporting optional 10GbE network cards or SSD accelerators. Four 1GbE LAN ports offer link aggregation and failover support.

Running DSM 7.2, the NAS supports a wide range of enterprise features like Btrfs snapshots, Virtual Machine Manager, Synology Drive Server, and Surveillance Station. It also introduces broader AI application potential with package-level containerization and optional GPU integration via expansion slot (QNAP-style strategy not yet confirmed for Synology).

Note: The DS1525+ enforces Synology’s validated drive compatibility list, and third-party HDDs/SSDs may produce warning messages or degraded support.

🔗 Synology DS1525+ Announcement (Global)

6. OneDrive File Search Bug Persists for Months with No Fix in Sight

Microsoft’s OneDrive has come under scrutiny this week after reports confirmed that a long-standing file search bug—first noted several months ago—remains unresolved. Users have experienced broken indexing, missing search results, and failed queries when attempting to locate files synced via the OneDrive desktop client on Windows.

This issue impacts both consumer and business users, particularly those who rely on OneDrive for document retrieval in shared folders or large repositories. Despite repeated complaints and support requests across Microsoft forums, the company has yet to issue a formal patch or workaround. Users have been left resorting to local Explorer-based searches or reverting to older synchronization clients.

The bug undermines the platform’s reliability as a cloud-based file system, especially in enterprise environments where search functionality is critical for daily workflows. With Microsoft heavily promoting its AI-powered Copilot features in Microsoft 365, such persistent basic functionality flaws raise questions about the company’s quality assurance processes.

🔗 Full story on Golem.de (German)

7. Ubiquiti Introduces G6 Dome – Compact AI-Powered Surveillance Camera for UniFi Protect

Ubiquiti has expanded its UniFi Protect lineup with the new G6 Dome, a compact AI-enhanced surveillance camera designed for indoor and semi-outdoor environments. Offering 5MP resolution (2688 x 1944 at 30 FPS), the G6 Dome includes IR night vision, motion-based detection, and seamless integration with UniFi Protect 6.0’s advanced software suite.

This dome-style camera is IPX5-rated, allowing deployment in covered outdoor areas such as patios and shop entrances. It uses PoE for power and network connectivity, simplifying cable management during installation. Notably, the G6 Dome supports AI-based smart detection for humans and vehicles, making it well-suited for retail stores, offices, and smart homes.

With the rollout of Protect 6.0, Ubiquiti is strengthening its positioning as a vendor-neutral alternative to cloud-first surveillance platforms, offering full local control, encrypted video storage, and customizable alert workflows without subscription fees.

🔗 Read the full announcement at Ubiquiti

8. Samsung Achieves 70% Yield on Advanced 1c DRAM Node, Paving the Way for Efficient DDR5 Scaling

Samsung has reportedly achieved 70% yields on its 1c DRAM manufacturing process, its fourth-generation node based on cutting-edge EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography. This milestone is key to driving the next wave of DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory at lower cost and higher power efficiency.

The 1c node uses reduced feature sizes, denser capacitor designs, and improved material layers to shrink die sizes while improving reliability. These optimizations help reduce the cost-per-bit of high-speed DRAM and enable thinner packages for laptops and mobile devices. The technology is also expected to benefit next-generation AI accelerators and server platforms where bandwidth density is paramount.

Samsung’s improved yields will allow for faster ramp-up of DDR5 DIMMs and mobile LPDDR memory in Q3–Q4 2025, aligning with platform upgrades from AMD and Intel, as well as demand from datacenter and AI infrastructure providers.

🔗 Yield report via TechPowerUp

9. AAEON Launches Ultra-Compact 13th Gen Intel SBC for Edge AI and Robotics

Industrial computing specialist AAEON has launched a new single-board computer (SBC) powered by 13th Gen Intel Core processors, claiming the title of the world’s smallest SBC to feature this generation of chips. Measuring just 146 x 102 mm, the board is engineered for high-performance workloads in edge AI, robotics, industrial control, and digital signage applications.

The board supports up to 64 GB of DDR5 memory, dual 2.5GbE network ports, and multiple display outputs (2x HDMI + 1x eDP), along with NVMe and SATA storage support. Expansion options include PCIe Gen4 and optional 5G/LTE modules. It also incorporates hardware-level security via TPM 2.0, a crucial feature for critical infrastructure and industrial deployments.

This release reflects a broader trend toward miniaturization in edge computing, where full x86 performance is increasingly required in small enclosures without compromising connectivity or OS compatibility.

🔗 AAEON SBC Release via TechPowerUp

10. ATP Enhances Endurance of Industrial 3D TLC SSDs with Up to 3 DWPD

ATP Electronics has announced a major upgrade to its industrial-grade 3D TLC SSD lineup, boosting endurance to up to 3 drive writes per day (DWPD)—a significant leap over the typical 0.3–1 DWPD range seen in standard TLC drives.

The improvement applies to its A750Pi and A650Si series, both engineered for embedded and mission-critical applications where consistent performance, low latency, and long lifespan are essential. These drives also feature enhanced power loss protection (PLP), extended temperature tolerance, and built-in hardware-based ECC (error correction code) for greater data integrity in volatile environments.

ATP’s advancements enable broader adoption of TLC flash in fields traditionally dominated by more expensive SLC or MLC storage. Use cases include factory automation, aerospace telemetry, railway control systems, and in-vehicle computing.

🔗 Read the ATP SSD update via TechPowerUp

11. TerraMaster Introduces New All-Flash NAS and Storage Arrays

TerraMaster has announced a new product release focusing on enterprise-grade all-flash storage solutions and high-speed RAID arrays designed for data-intensive workloads. While full product specifications were not included in the press summary, the company hinted at advanced models supporting NVMe SSDs, 10GbE/25GbE networking, and hardware RAID engines.

This move strengthens TerraMaster’s presence in the professional storage market, following earlier releases of the T9-450 and T12-450 hybrid NAS units. The new systems will likely cater to high-throughput use cases such as video editing, virtualization, and AI training pipelines.

TerraMaster’s TOS 6 operating system continues to evolve, with updated support for Docker, Kubernetes, and extended file system options like Btrfs and EXT4, providing flexibility in both small studio and corporate IT deployments.

🔗 View press release at Terra-Master

12. UniFi Access Point Firmware 8.0.49 Released for All U7 and E7 Models

Ubiquiti has released firmware version 8.0.49 for its UniFi Access Point lineup, targeting the latest U7 and E7 models with improved Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, stability patches, and roaming enhancements.

The update includes:

• Improved band steering logic for Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 clients

• Faster fast-roaming handoffs across APs

• Bug fixes for VLAN tagging inconsistencies

• Performance tuning for dense urban deployments

Ubiquiti continues to position UniFi APs as future-ready infrastructure, offering aggressive price-to-performance ratios with unified cloud and local management. Firmware 8.0.49 prepares the newest access points for wider adoption in hospitality, education, and enterprise environments adopting Wi-Fi 7 standards.

🔗 Firmware release notes on Ubiquiti Community

13. Kioxia Reveals CD9P PCIe 5.0 SSDs Featuring 8th Gen BiCS Flash

Kioxia has introduced the CD9P Series, its next-generation PCIe Gen5 NVMe SSDs built on 8th generation BiCS Flash (3D NAND co-developed with Western Digital). These drives target enterprise applications requiring high IOPS and throughput for AI, hyperscale, and virtualized environments.

Highlights:

• PCIe 5.0 x4 interface with NVMe 2.0 support

• Capacities up to 15.36 TB

• Over 2 million random read IOPS

• Enhanced thermal control with power management profiles

The CD9P SSDs are expected to compete with offerings from Solidigm, Samsung PM1743, and Micron 7500 Pro in the high-performance enterprise SSD segment. Early evaluations suggest up to 14 GB/s sequential read speeds and optimized latency profiles for real-time analytics and machine learning workloads.

🔗 Official CD9P SSD announcement

14. HDMI Forum Releases HDMI 2.2 Specification with Expanded Feature Set

The HDMI Forum has published the HDMI 2.2 specification, adding new capabilities for next-gen displays and AV devices. While full technical details remain under NDA for adopters, highlights include:

• Support for higher bandwidth formats beyond 48 Gbps

• Enhanced metadata profiles for dynamic HDR

• Tighter integration with Display Stream Compression (DSC)

• New signaling support for extended VRR and ALLM ranges

HDMI 2.2 is expected to align with DisplayPort 2.1 features, supporting upcoming 8K120 and 10K displays used in commercial signage, gaming, and video production. Compatibility with legacy HDMI 2.1a devices will depend on firmware-level implementation by TV and GPU vendors.

The rollout sets the stage for improved interoperability between AV receivers, streaming boxes, and gaming consoles as the industry moves toward higher refresh rates and wider color gamuts.

🔗 HDMI 2.2 spec announcement on TechPowerUp

15. OWC Launches Express 4M2 USB4 NVMe Enclosure with Four M.2 Slots

OWC (Other World Computing) has released the Express 4M2, a high-speed external SSD enclosure featuring USB4 connectivity and support for up to four M.2 NVMe SSDs. Designed for creative professionals, mobile workstations, and high-throughput editing suites, this unit delivers desktop-grade performance in a portable format.

Key specifications include:

• USB4 port with backward compatibility (Thunderbolt 3/4, USB-C 3.2 Gen2)

• Support for RAID 0/1/4/5/10 and JBOD

• Up to 2800 MB/s sequential transfer speeds

• Built-in thermal throttling management and active cooling

The enclosure supports both Windows and macOS and is targeted toward workflows requiring extreme I/O, such as 6K/8K raw video editing, audio mastering, and fast project archiving.

🔗 View Express 4M2 announcement on TechPowerUp

16. PNG Image Format Gets First Major Update in Over 20 Years

The Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format is receiving a formal specification update after more than two decades. The proposed changes include the introduction of zlib2 compression, extended metadata support, and modern container integrations for broader compatibility across platforms and image pipelines.

PNG has long been favored for lossless image storage with alpha transparency, but it has seen minimal evolution compared to newer formats like WebP and AVIF. The update aims to improve compression ratios without sacrificing fidelity, reduce parsing complexity, and enhance support for color profiles in HDR workflows.

Adoption timelines will vary by browser, image editors, and OS vendors, but the upgrade marks a renewed interest in lossless formats for web design, medical imaging, and archival graphics.

🔗 Details from Golem.de

17. Micron G9 2Tb QLC Flash Die Introduced – Combines SLC + TLC Cache for Versatile SSD Performance

Micron has quietly unveiled its G9 NAND generation, starting with a 2 terabit (256 GB) quad-level cell (QLC) die that integrates both SLC and TLC cache layers for adaptive performance across workloads. This is the densest flash die Micron has ever produced and is expected to power next-gen high-capacity SSDs later in 2025.

Highlights:

• 2Tb die size using advanced CMOS under array layout

• Layered cache architecture: static SLC, dynamic TLC buffer

• Optimized for client, gaming, and read-intensive enterprise SSDs

• Enables up to 16 TB in M.2 2280 and 32 TB in U.2 form factors

This flash platform is likely to be used in Micron’s 2500 and 3500 series consumer SSDs as well as cost-effective enterprise tiers. The cache layering helps mitigate the latency and write performance penalties typical of pure QLC solutions.

🔗 Coverage via ComputerBase

18. AGI Launches High-Speed microSD Express Card – TF338 Reaches PCIe-Level Throughput

AGI Technology has released the TF338, a microSD Express card leveraging SD 7.1 spec with support for PCIe Gen3 and NVMe protocols. The card offers read speeds up to 900 MB/s, targeting professional photographers, drone operators, and mobile devices with demanding storage needs.

The TF338 joins a growing field of microSD cards with SSD-like performance, but it requires SD Express-compatible hosts. AGI positions the card for edge AI systems, body cams, and high-resolution media recording where traditional UHS-I cards fail to keep up.

As more devices integrate SD Express slots, AGI’s offering could pave the way for broader adoption of ultra-high-speed removable storage in embedded and mobile systems.

🔗 AGI TF338 launch on TechPowerUp

19. DDR4 RAM Prices Overtake DDR5 for the First Time – Market Inversion Signals End of Legacy Pricing

For the first time since DDR5 launched in 2021, market reports show that DDR4 memory modules are now more expensive than DDR5, marking a significant shift in the PC component landscape. This inversion is due to oversupply correction in DDR5 manufacturing, paired with diminishing DDR4 production as fabs transition to newer process nodes.

Retail prices for 32GB DDR5-5600 kits have dropped below their DDR4-3200 counterparts in multiple regions. The shift is particularly noticeable in the OEM and DIY PC builder markets, where price parity had long been a sticking point for DDR5 adoption.

With this change, DDR5 becomes not just a performance upgrade but also a better value in many scenarios. It also signals the sunset phase for DDR4, which is now entering constrained availability and rising production costs as vendors shift capacity toward LPDDR5X, DDR6, and enterprise-grade memory.

🔗 DDR4 vs DDR5 pricing analysis on TechPowerUp

20. Micron Reports Fiscal Q3 2025 Results – Stronger Demand Drives Recovery in NAND and DRAM

Micron Technology has released its Q3 2025 financial results, showing a significant rebound in both revenue and profitability driven by rising demand for DRAM and NAND flash products across AI, data center, and mobile segments. The company reported revenue of $6.84 billion, a 38% year-over-year increase, and returned to positive net income following several loss-making quarters during the post-pandemic slump.

Key drivers for growth included:

• Strong shipments of DDR5 and LPDDR5X for AI servers and premium smartphones

• Increased adoption of Micron’s PCIe Gen4 SSDs in enterprise markets

• Rising average selling prices (ASP) for NAND amid tighter supply

Micron also highlighted progress in its G9 QLC flash and advanced EUV-based DRAM production nodes. As memory prices begin to stabilize industry-wide, Micron’s recovery reflects broader market normalization and a pivot toward AI infrastructure spending.

🔗 Full financial report via TechPowerUp

21. Noctua Debuts NF-A12x25 G2 – Next-Gen 120mm Fan with Improved Static Pressure and Reduced Vibration

Noctua has introduced the NF-A12x25 G2, the successor to its acclaimed 120mm NF-A12x25 fan, bringing measurable improvements in both performance and acoustic refinement. The fan is aimed at enthusiasts, silent PC builders, and professionals needing optimal airflow in tight chassis or dense heatsink environments.

Improvements over the original include:

• Newly designed impeller with better blade rigidity at high RPMs

• Enhanced flow channels for higher static pressure (ideal for radiators)

• Updated SSO2 bearing and reduced vibration damping

• Optional PWM, ULN, and Chromax variants

The G2 maintains the same 25mm frame thickness, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of air and liquid coolers. Early benchmarks show performance on par with or exceeding higher-RPM fans at lower noise levels.

🔗 Noctua G2 launch via TechPowerUp

22. Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF Drop Below $250 – Price Cuts Suggest Arrow Lake Is Near

Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF CPUs—based on the Meteor Lake architecture—have dropped below the $250 mark in retail listings across multiple regions. These chips were initially priced around $350, and the price cut strongly suggests that Intel is clearing inventory ahead of the Arrow Lake-S desktop CPU launch expected in Q3/Q4 2025.

The Core Ultra 7 265K features:

• 8 performance cores (Redwood Cove) + 16 efficiency cores (Crestmont)

• Integrated Arc GPU with AI acceleration (NPU ~10 TOPS)

• Support for DDR5-6400 and PCIe Gen5

• Built-in VPU for low-power background AI workloads

The unlocked nature of both chips (K/KF) makes them appealing to overclockers and content creators looking for strong single-threaded performance and next-gen platform support at a mid-range price.

🔗 Pricing update on TechPowerUp

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