Week 2 Tech Round-Up – Synology DP340, QNAP SAS Cards, CES 2025 Highlights, and More!

News in a list :

• CES 2025 took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The event ran from January 6th to 7th, 2025, and featured more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,800 companies.
• Asus launched the ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI, the world’s first AI-supported gaming router at CES 2025. Asus did not announce pricing or availability at CES.
• Unraid released Unraid OS 7.0.0, a major release with hundreds of improvements and enhanced features.
• Team Group launched an 8 TB capacity specification for the T-FORCE GE PRO PCIe 5.0 SSD.
• Adata announced several new storage products at CES 2025, including the XPG MARS 970 Storm, an M.2 NVMe Gen 5 SSD with a self-contained liquid-cooling loop, and the SR800, a portable SSD with a built-in power bank and wireless charging capabilities.
• THUNDEROBOT debuted at CES 2025 with a lineup of esports gear, including the world’s first THUNDEROBOT ZERO series of high-performance gaming laptops and the world’s first full-color waveguide optical AI+AR smart glasses.
• Ugreen showed off high-end, AI-capable NAS devices at CES 2025, including the NASync iDX6011 and iDX6011 Pro.
• Micron announced several new storage and memory products at CES 2025, including the Crucial T705 Pro NVMe Gen 5 SSD, the Crucial P510 NVMe Gen 5 SSD, and DDR5 Pro Overclocking memory modules.
• Synology unveiled the BeeStation Plus (BST170-8T) at CES 2025, an updated version of their entry-level NAS with enhanced functionality, including automatic cloud backups and remote backups.
• A team of researchers cracked a 512-bit RSA key using cloud resources worth just $8.
• QNAP introduced the TS-h1277AFX, a high-performance all-flash NAS designed for demanding multimedia workflows.
• Netgear announced the Orbi 870 Series Mesh System, the latest addition to its portfolio of WiFi 7 mesh networking systems.
• QNAP unveiled the TS-h765eU, a compact rackmount NAS, along with the QXG-ES10G1T E1.S to 10GbE network module.
• Nvidia announced Project Digits, a mini-computer designed for AI development, at CES 2025.
• Microsoft declared 2025 the “year of PC renewal,” promoting Windows 11 as the best platform for AI and productivity.
• OWC announced several new products at CES 2025, including the Thunderbolt 5-compatible RAID storage “ThunderBlade X12” and the “USB4 40Gb/s Active Optical Cable.”
• Intel launched the Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors, featuring AI enhancements, improved efficiency, and enhanced security features.
• AMD announced new Ryzen AI processors for consumer and commercial PCs, including the Ryzen AI Max, Ryzen AI 300, and Ryzen AI 200 Series.
• Geekom announced a range of new mini PCs, including the A9 Max with AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors, the IT2 Ultra and IT15 with Intel Core Ultra 200H processors, and the QS1 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X1E processor.
• The HDMI Forum announced HDMI 2.2 at CES 2025.
• Ugreen announced details about the iDX6011 and iDX6011 Pro AI-NAS systems at CES 2025.
• QNAP officially launched the new QNAP Community official community.

Synology has unveiled the ActiveProtect Appliance DP320, a data protection solution tailored for small and medium businesses. This appliance comes preconfigured with Synology’s hardware and operating system, making it easier to deploy without requiring advanced technical skills. It is designed to handle critical tasks such as backups, restores, deduplication, replication, and comprehensive data management. The DP320 emphasizes high availability and reliability, catering to the needs of organizations looking for streamlined yet robust data protection strategies.

Synology also revealed the updated BeeStation Plus (BST170-8T), an entry-level NAS ideal for personal use or small offices. Powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 processor, this NAS includes 8 TB of built-in storage, 4 GB DDR4 memory (expandable for heavier workloads), and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for high-speed external connectivity. Its compact design and user-friendly interface make it suitable for first-time NAS users, while features like hybrid RAID support ensure data safety.

QNAP introduced two SAS HBA PCIe Expansion Cards, the QXP-820S-B3408 and QXP-1620S-B3616W, which are designed to significantly expand NAS capacity by connecting to high-density SAS JBOD storage enclosures and expansion units. With support for SAS 12Gbps connectivity and advanced RAID configurations, these cards provide businesses with scalable storage solutions for demanding workloads, including data archiving, video editing, and virtualization.

QNAP launched the TS-h1277AFX, an all-flash NAS specifically built for high-performance multimedia workflows. Featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, DDR5 ECC memory for improved data integrity, and 12 SATA drive bays optimized for SSDs, this NAS is tailored for professionals in video production, 3D rendering, and other data-intensive creative industries. Its focus on all-flash storage ensures low latency and high throughput, making it an ideal choice for demanding applications.

In addition, QNAP introduced the TS-h765eU, a compact rackmount NAS engineered for space-conscious environments. This NAS is powered by Intel Atom processors and supports multiple NVMe SSD slots for cache acceleration or storage pools. With optional 10GbE network expandability, it is positioned as an affordable yet versatile choice for small businesses and data centers requiring reliable performance.

Asus announced the ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI, the world’s first Wi-Fi 7 gaming router featuring an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU). The NPU optimizes gaming performance by reducing latency, prioritizing gaming traffic, and enabling intelligent network management. With ultra-fast speeds and support for multiple connected devices, the router caters to the needs of modern gamers and streamers.

Unraid OS 7.0.0 was officially released, marking a significant upgrade to this popular NAS and server management platform. Key features include native ZFS support for enhanced data integrity and scalability, a new built-in file manager, and improved Docker container management for more streamlined app deployment. Networking upgrades, such as Tailscale integration, simplify remote access, while various bug fixes improve overall stability and reliability.

Team Group launched the 8 TB T-FORCE GE PRO PCIe 5.0 SSD, a high-performance SSD boasting ultra-fast read and write speeds, DRAM Cache technology for sustained performance, and an advanced cooling system to prevent thermal throttling. Designed for enthusiasts and professionals, this SSD delivers top-tier storage for gaming rigs, workstations, and creative setups.

ADATA showcased several innovative storage solutions at CES 2025, including the XPG MARS 970 Storm, an M.2 NVMe Gen 5 SSD equipped with a self-contained liquid-cooling system for thermal efficiency. Other highlights included portable SSDs featuring integrated power banks and wireless charging, as well as devices with advanced fingerprint security to ensure data protection.

THUNDEROBOT made its CES debut with an impressive lineup of esports-focused products, including gaming laptops powered by Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GPUs. Among the standouts were smart waveguide AR glasses, high-refresh-rate monitors, and customizable gaming peripherals designed to elevate the competitive gaming experience.

Micron unveiled a diverse range of SSDs and memory modules targeting both consumer and enterprise markets. Notable announcements included the Crucial T705 Pro NVMe Gen 5 SSD for gaming and creative professionals, as well as DDR5 memory modules for data centers, offering higher performance and improved energy efficiency.

Researchers demonstrated the vulnerability of older encryption methods by cracking a 512-bit RSA key using cloud computing resources costing just $8. This proof-of-concept highlights the risks of using outdated encryption standards, emphasizing the importance of adopting more robust security protocols in modern systems.

NETGEAR expanded its portfolio with the Orbi 870 Series Mesh System, a Wi-Fi 7-enabled solution providing blazing-fast speeds, low latency, and the capacity to handle numerous connected devices. This mesh system is ideal for homes and offices requiring robust, whole-home wireless coverage.

Qualcomm announced its latest Snapdragon processors, which include advanced CPU and GPU architectures, support for Wi-Fi 7, and enhanced 5G connectivity. These processors are designed to power next-generation laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices, offering improved performance and energy efficiency.

Nvidia unveiled Project Digits, a mini-computer powered by its cutting-edge Grace Blackwell SoC. Designed for AI workloads, Project Digits is capable of handling large-scale models and provides a compact, energy-efficient solution for developers working on machine learning and AI projects.

OWC introduced new Thunderbolt 5-compatible products at CES 2025, including the ThunderBlade X12, a RAID storage solution offering 96 TB capacity and speeds up to 6,500 MB/s, and active optical cables for long-distance, high-speed connectivity.

Intel launched the Intel Core Ultra processors, featuring AI-optimized performance, improved energy efficiency, and high core counts. These processors target both gamers and professionals, offering advanced features for productivity and demanding creative applications.

AMD expanded its Ryzen AI processor lineup with the introduction of new models for both consumer and commercial markets. These processors boast enhanced AI capabilities, making them ideal for applications in machine learning, gaming, and multimedia.

Geekom unveiled a range of mini PCs designed for various use cases, including models featuring the latest AMD Ryzen AI and Intel Core Ultra processors, catering to users seeking compact yet powerful computing solutions.

The HDMI Forum revealed plans for HDMI 2.2, which promises enhanced display capabilities such as improved bandwidth and support for higher resolutions, ensuring compatibility with the latest audiovisual technologies.

Ugreen announced its AI-powered NAS systems, the NASync iDX6011 and iDX6011 Pro, featuring Intel Core processors and integrated Large Language Models for advanced document search, file summarization, and data management.

Lastly, QNAP launched its official community forum, providing a platform for users to share knowledge, troubleshoot issues, and engage with fellow NAS enthusiasts. This initiative aims to foster a collaborative community for QNAP users worldwide.

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