XikeStor FS5104DH & FS510402DH: All-Flash NAS Systems with Quad 10GbE and PCIe 4.0 Expansion XikeStor has announced two desktop NAS models: the FS5104DH and FS510402DH. These systems combine Intel Core i5 mobile-class processors with M.2 NVMe storage and multiple 10GbE ports. Both are designed for users seeking compact systems with high throughput and flash storage […]
Author: Rob Andrews
Zimaboard 2 Review
The Zimaboard 2 Single Board Server Review – The Best Yet? In an increasingly saturated market of single-board computers and compact servers, the ZimaBoard 2 arrives with a clear goal: to offer an affordable, x86-powered, DIY-friendly alternative that bridges the gap between embedded systems and full-blown home servers. Developed by IceWhale, a brand that has […]
Synology Beestation Plus NAS
Synology Beestation Plus 8TB Revealed and Detailed Synology has unveiled the BeeStation Plus (BST170-8T) in their pre-Computex build up (alongside an early reveal back in Jan 2025 at CES/Pepcom), the latest addition to its growing portfolio of personal cloud storage solutions aimed at everyday users. Building on the success of the original BeeStation (BST150-4T), the […]
Synology PAS7700 NVMe NAS System
Synology (FINALLY) has an NVMe Flash Server – The Synology PAS7700 System Synology are seemingly going ‘all guns blazing’ at Computex 2025 this year, with a wide array of hardware and software solutions being revealed at the event. Many of these we already know about via official and unofficial reveals over the last 6 months […]
Synology DS925+ vs DS923+ NAS
The Synology DS925+ versus Synology DS923+ – Buy OLD or BUY New? Every few years, when Synology chooses to refresh several of its popular devices—updating a number of its hardware features—new buyers and those looking to upgrade have a choice to make. Is it nobler in the mind to purchase the more affordable and already […]
I Visited UGREEN in China… And Here is Everything I Saw
UGREEN Headquarters in Shenzhen, China – NAS Plans, Company Culture, R&D and More As part of a week-long visit to Shenzhen to better understand the operations behind some of the rising tech brands in China, I arranged a tour of UGREEN’s headquarters. The visit was not sponsored or paid for by UGREEN, nor was I […]
Synology DS1825+ NAS Released (in the East)
Synology DS1825+ NAS Revealed – New 8 Bay NAS on the Block Synology has quietly launched the new DS1825+ NAS, an 8-bay desktop solution aimed at prosumers, creative professionals, and small businesses in need of high-capacity, high-reliability network storage. Replacing the 2020-era DS1821+, this new model has debuted across eastern markets including Taiwan, Japan, China, […]
Synology DS1525+ NAS Released (in the East)
The Synology DS1525+ NAS is Confirmed and Just Overshadowed the DS925+ The Synology DS1525+ NAS represents a significant evolution in the brand’s 5-bay desktop series, bringing forward a more scalable, performance-focused solution aimed at both advanced home users and professional environments. Positioned as a more powerful and versatile alternative to the recently launched DS925+, the […]
Synology 2025 NAS Series & 3rd Party Drive Compatibility – What Works, What Doesn’t (Right Now)
Synology 2025 NAS Series 3rd Party Drive Compatibility Tests UPDATED 07-05-25 = Added Unverified HDD and SSD (Migrated) Storage Pool RAID Repair, RAID POOL Expansion and Hot Spare Tests. Right now, the following is what works and what does not (between pre-2025 Series and the 2025 Series that is releasing now): Feature / Function Pre-2025 […]
Synology DS925+ NAS Review
Synology DS925+ NAS Review – Good News, Bad News If you have been looking at making the move away from your cloud service provider to gain better ownership of your data, or are looking to upgrade your existing network storage system to something a tad more modern, chances are that Synology and the new DS925+ […]
Minisforum MS-A2 Review – The MS-01 Killer?
Minisforum MS-A2 PC Review The Minisforum MS-A2 is the latest entry in Minisforum’s growing lineup of workstation-focused mini PCs. First shown at CES 2025, the MS-A2 builds on ideas introduced in earlier models like the MS01 and MS-A1 but shifts toward an AMD platform, offering users a choice between two high-end Ryzen 9 CPUs. Rather […]
UniFi UNAS Pro – SIX MONTHS LATER
UniFi UNAS Pro: 6 Months On — A Measured Look at Ubiquiti’s First NAS Six months since its public release in October 2024, the UniFi UNAS Pro has matured modestly but meaningfully. Initially positioned as an affordable $499, 7-bay NAS with integrated 10GbE and 1GbE networking, its appeal centered largely around seamless integration into UniFi […]
Synology vs UGREEN NAS (in 2025)
Synology vs UGREEN NAS – Which One Deserves Your Money and Your Data? In the evolving world of network-attached storage (NAS), users in 2025 are faced with a broader range of choices than ever before. Among the most discussed options in both professional and enthusiast communities are Synology and UGREEN. Synology has been a mainstay […]
Synology DS925+ NAS Released
Synology DS925+ NAS Officially Launches in Eastern Markets – Full Specs and Features Confirmed UPDATE 3rd May 2025: The Synology DS925+ NAS is Now Released, and I have made a YouTube Video Review here, and a written DS925+ NAS here ORIGINAL ARTICLE BELOW: Following early retailer listings and semi-official leaks earlier this year, the Synology […]
Aoostar WTR Max POWERHOUSE NAS (Big Update!)
The Aoostar WTR Max is Coming Soon – And it’s kinda INSANE… Aoostar had formally unveiled the WTR Max, its latest high-performance NAS mini-server platform, around about a month ago, and it has fast become one of the most requested NAS solutions from followers of this website and YouTube channel in a long time! Powered […]
PLEX Price Increases, The Rise of Jellyfin and Now What?
Is This The Beginning of the End of PLEX – Is It Jellyfin Time? After more than a decade of keeping its Lifetime Plex Pass at $119.99, Plex has officially announced a significant price increase—raising the cost to $249.99 starting April 29, 2025. This announcement, delivered through a press release on March 19, also outlined […]
Synology 2025 NAS Hard Drive and SSD Lock In Confirmed – Bye, Bye Seagate and WD
Synology is closing the gap on third-party hard drive support further in 2025 UPDATE 4 – The Synology DS925+ NAS is NOW LIVE, and that means that the extent to which you can use 3rd Party HDDs and SSDs on the 2025 series (at the time of writing) a now alot clearer. As it stands, […]
Synology DS925+ NAS Leaked (AGAIN)
The Synology DS925+ NAS is (STILL) Coming..and Soon UPDATE 3rd May 2025: The Synology DS925+ NAS is Now Released, and I have made a YouTube Video Review here, and a written DS925+ NAS here ORIGINAL ARTICLE BELOW: It is fast becoming the worst-kept secret in the world of network-attached storage, but Synology’s continued plans to […]
Zettlab D6 NAS Review
Zettlab D6 AI NAS Prototype Review – A Glimpse at the Future of Local AI NAS? UPDATE – The Zettlab AI NAS is Now Live on Kickstarter and you can find it HERE, or watch the Review of the D6 Here on YouTube. Alternatively, there is an interview with the creators HERE The Zettlab D6 […]
Buy a NAS Now or Not? – LET’S TALK TARIFFS BABY (sigh)
The U.S. Tariffs and Their Looming Impact on NAS and Storage Tech The United States has recently announced a sweeping set of import tariffs on goods from nearly every major trading partner in the world. This policy shift, driven largely by the country’s growing trade deficits with nations like China, the European Union, Vietnam, and […]