Week 31 Tech Roundup – 245TB SSDs, NAS AI Accelerators, Raspberry Pi Modding, and Synology DS225+ Launch

Here is your Weekly Tech Digest – Week 31 (2025), covering major announcements and hardware launches across NAS, storage, networking, and embedded computing. This week features breakthroughs in Raspberry Pi mods, PlayStation 5 storage upgrades, enterprise-grade HDD testing, and next-gen SSD innovations. Below are the first five news highlights of the week.

Raspberry Pi 5 Gets DIY SD Express Upgrade, Approaches SSD Speeds

An enterprising modder has successfully equipped the Raspberry Pi 5 with an SD Express slot, drastically improving its storage performance potential. By enabling SD Express support, which uses the PCIe interface, the Pi 5 can theoretically reach transfer speeds close to that of entry-level NVMe SSDs. This modification was made possible by tapping into the Pi 5’s existing PCIe lane and re-routing it through a compatible SD Express card reader. While not officially supported by Raspberry Pi OS, early tests show substantial speed boosts for high-end SD Express cards. The project has sparked community interest in more advanced Pi 5 hardware hacks, especially in the context of edge computing and lightweight NAS applications.

Source: Golem.de

Lexar Launches PLAY 2280 SE 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD for PlayStation 5

Lexar has unveiled the PLAY 2280 SE, a 4TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD designed specifically for PlayStation 5 consoles. Featuring sequential read speeds of up to 7,400MB/s and write speeds up to 6,500MB/s, the SSD fully meets Sony’s internal storage upgrade requirements. The PLAY 2280 SE also includes a built-in heat spreader for thermal management, making it compatible with PS5’s M.2 slot without needing third-party cooling solutions. This launch expands Lexar’s growing lineup of gaming-focused SSDs and offers console gamers a high-capacity alternative to limited onboard storage.

Source: Lexar

MikroTik Unveils CRS418-8P-8G-2S+RM: Compact PoE+ Switch with 10GbE Uplinks

MikroTik has introduced the CRS418-8P-8G-2S+RM, a rackmount switch tailored for SMBs and edge deployments. This 18-port unit includes 8 Gigabit PoE+ ports, 8 standard Gigabit ports, and 2 SFP+ slots supporting up to 10GbE. With a total power budget of 144W for PoE and advanced Layer 3 features like static routing and firewall rules, the switch is ideal for powering surveillance setups, access points, and IP phones. Its fanless operation ensures quiet performance, making it suitable for deployment in small server rooms or office environments.

Source: MikroTik

Seagate IronWolf 30TB HAMR HDD Reviewed: Performance and Power Insights

ComputerBase has reviewed the Seagate IronWolf Pro 30TB, one of the first consumer-available hard drives using Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology. The drive delivers up to 285MB/s sequential read/write speeds, and while power consumption is higher than PMR drives, the per-TB watt efficiency remains impressive. Ideal for NAS and archival environments, the 30TB capacity is a game-changer for high-volume users. The review highlights strong sustained throughput and reasonable noise levels despite the cutting-edge recording method. This marks Seagate’s most advanced IronWolf offering yet, bridging the gap between enterprise-grade density and prosumer accessibility.

Source: Seagate

Micron Announces 6600 ION & 7600 SSDs with PCIe 5.0 and 245TB Endurance

Micron has launched the 6600 ION and 7600 series SSDs, both leveraging PCIe 5.0 and designed for data-intensive enterprise workloads. The 7600 Max variant offers read speeds up to 14 GB/s and endurance ratings up to 245 petabytes written (PBW), making it suitable for hyperscale deployments and AI training systems. Both SSD lines support NVMe 2.0, feature Micron’s 232-layer NAND, and deliver high random IOPS performance for mixed-use applications. These drives position Micron to directly compete with Samsung and Kioxia in the high-performance enterprise SSD space.

Source: Micron

QNAP Launches QXP-1630S-3816 SAS Expansion Card for Enterprise NAS

QNAP has introduced the QXP-1630S-3816, a PCIe Gen 3 x8 SAS expansion card that supports up to 16 SAS drives for enterprise-grade NAS and storage expansion systems. The card uses a Broadcom SAS3808 controller and supports both SAS 12Gb/s and SATA 6Gb/s drives, providing a scalable, high-throughput solution for rackmount NAS systems. It’s primarily intended for use with QNAP’s TL-R1620Sep and TL-R1220Sep JBOD enclosures, making it easier to build massive storage pools with data protection and multi-path configurations. Designed for high-density environments, the card enhances performance while maintaining QNAP’s compatibility with hybrid deployments.

Source: QNAP

QNAP Reveals Hardware Specs of QXP-830S-3808 SAS Expansion Card

Alongside its 16-port sibling, QNAP has also detailed the QXP-830S-3808, a smaller PCIe SAS expansion card supporting up to 8 SAS/SATA drives. Featuring the same Broadcom SAS3808 controller as the larger model, this PCIe Gen 3 x8 card targets SMBs and prosumers who need reliable performance without the higher port density. The card offers multi-path I/O support, advanced error recovery, and enhanced compatibility with QNAP JBODs and RAID enclosures. It’s a compelling option for those who want to expand NAS capacity using external SAS storage with minimal latency and overhead.

Source: QNAP

TrueNAS SCALE 25.04.2 “Fangtooth” Brings Refinements and Fixes

iXsystems has released TrueNAS SCALE 25.04.2, codenamed “Fangtooth,” as a minor update to its Debian-based storage OS. This update includes multiple bug fixes, improved UI responsiveness, and enhanced support for newer hardware platforms. While not a feature-packed release, it focuses on refining the user experience and improving performance stability for home labs and enterprise use cases. The “Fangtooth” release is part of iXsystems’ commitment to a steady update cycle, ensuring reliability for users who run virtual machines, containers, or hybrid ZFS setups on their TrueNAS platforms.

Source: TrueNAS

Synology HAT3320 Plus Series Drives Target Long-Term NAS Use

Synology has launched the HAT3320 Plus series of 3.5” SATA hard drives, designed for 24/7 NAS operation with a focus on reliability and integration. These drives feature up to 16TB capacity, a workload rating of 180TB/year, and optimized compatibility with Synology DSM’s health monitoring, firmware updates, and caching systems. With 1.2 million hours MTBF and a 5-year limited warranty, the drives reinforce Synology’s push toward full-stack storage solutions. While pricier than generic alternatives, their seamless integration into the Synology ecosystem offers administrative simplicity and peace of mind.

Source: Synology

Banana Pi Introduces BPI-R4 Lite DIY Router Board

Banana Pi has unveiled the BPI-R4 Lite, a compact, open-source router board aimed at developers and DIY networking enthusiasts. Powered by a MediaTek MT7981B SoC and equipped with 1GB DDR4 RAM, the board includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi 6 support via M.2 modules, and various GPIO headers for expansion. It runs OpenWRT out of the box, making it ideal for building custom VPN routers, firewalls, or IoT edge devices. Its small size, modular design, and rich software compatibility reinforce Banana Pi’s position as a viable alternative to more expensive embedded networking boards.

Source: Banana Pi

GMKTec Launches NUCBOX K12 Mini PC with AMD Ryzen 7 H255

GMKTec has introduced the NUCBOX K12, a compact mini PC powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 H255 processor and equipped with integrated Radeon graphics. The system offers dual-channel DDR5 memory support, PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD storage, and multiple USB and HDMI ports in a palm-sized form factor. Aimed at professionals and content creators seeking a low-noise, high-efficiency desktop replacement, the NUCBOX K12 emphasizes power efficiency and productivity in a minimal chassis. This model continues GMKTec’s strategy of packing premium features into ultra-compact systems at competitive prices.

Source: GMKTec

Western Digital Blue SN5100 M.2 NVMe SSD Surfaces Ahead of Launch

Images and details of the upcoming WD Blue SN5100 SSD have emerged, showcasing an M.2 PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD aimed at mainstream consumer PCs. While not officially released, the SN5100 is expected to offer a balance between price and performance with read speeds exceeding 5,000MB/s. Positioned between WD Green and WD Black product lines, the SN5100 is likely to appeal to users seeking solid gaming and productivity performance without the premium of top-tier drives. Its emergence signals Western Digital’s continued expansion of its PCIe 4.0 SSD lineup.

Source: Western Digital

Areca Unveils PCIe Gen 5 HBA for M.2 SSDs with 8-Drive Support

Areca has announced a high-performance PCIe Gen 5 x16 Host Bus Adapter (HBA) that enables up to eight M.2 SSDs to be connected simultaneously using a PLX bridge chip. Designed for workstation and server use, the adapter offers blazing-fast data throughput and is ideal for high-density NVMe storage arrays, scratch disks for video editing, or AI/ML workloads. With Gen 5 bandwidth and support for advanced thermal and power management, this adapter pushes the boundaries of M.2-based storage solutions in enterprise environments.

Source: Areca

Kioxia Debuts UFS 4.1 Flash Memory for Automotive Applications

Kioxia has launched a new series of UFS 4.1 embedded flash memory products designed for automotive systems, offering high endurance and data integrity under extreme environmental conditions. These flash modules are compliant with AEC-Q100 Grade 2 specifications and support advanced features such as HPB (Host Performance Booster) and improved thermal control. With capacities ranging up to 256GB, they target infotainment systems, ADAS, and autonomous driving platforms. This release underscores Kioxia’s commitment to specialized memory for safety-critical and latency-sensitive environments.

Source: Kioxia

Netgear Posts Q2 2025 Financial Results Amid Market Shifts

Netgear has released its financial results for Q2 2025, reporting revenue fluctuations driven by increased demand in mesh WiFi and SMB networking segments, offset by declines in consumer-grade product lines. The company continues to prioritize innovation in WiFi 7, ProAV over IP, and subscription services as strategic growth areas. Despite ongoing supply chain pressures, Netgear highlighted improvements in margin control and new product rollouts as key performance drivers. The results reflect the company’s evolving focus toward premium connected home and enterprise-grade networking solutions.

Source: Netgear

Qualcomm Announces Strong Q3 FY2025 Results Amid AI Momentum

Qualcomm has reported robust earnings for its fiscal Q3 2025, driven by strong demand for its Snapdragon processors and AI-capable chipsets across mobile, automotive, and edge applications. The company emphasized increasing traction in the AI smartphone segment and partnerships in next-generation PCs. With net revenues exceeding expectations and operating income up year-over-year, Qualcomm attributes its performance to diversification beyond mobile handsets, particularly in AI inference workloads and connected vehicle platforms. The firm continues to push advancements in low-power, high-performance AI processing for consumer and enterprise use.

Source: Qualcomm

Western Digital Closes FY2025 with Q4 Recovery and Flash Gains

Western Digital’s Q4 2025 results indicate a revenue recovery driven by improving flash demand and stabilization in the HDD market. The company highlighted progress in BiCS6 NAND production, cost reductions, and operational efficiency improvements. WD also reaffirmed its plans to separate its flash and HDD businesses into two standalone entities. With increased momentum in enterprise SSD adoption and improving PC OEM demand, the fiscal year closed stronger than anticipated. The upcoming organizational split is expected to provide greater focus and agility in each product domain.

Source: Western Digital

Seagate Reports Q4 2025 Earnings: HAMR Drives Fuel Optimism

Seagate has posted its financial results for Q4 and full fiscal year 2025, citing its HAMR-based 30TB and higher-capacity drives as a key growth area. Revenue saw a modest rebound, and the company confirmed increased shipments of HAMR drives in hyperscale and enterprise sectors. Seagate remains focused on technology leadership and expanding its Exos and IronWolf portfolios. Strategic investments in manufacturing and R&D for advanced media technologies are expected to continue as demand for high-density storage grows.

Source: Seagate

Netgear Launches Orbi 370: Affordable WiFi 7 Mesh for Homes

Netgear has expanded its Orbi portfolio with the Orbi 370 Series, a new tri-band WiFi 7 mesh system positioned as the brand’s most affordable next-gen offering. Designed for families and smart homes, the Orbi 370 supports up to 2.5Gbps WAN connections and leverages Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for improved performance and lower latency. It includes a main router and optional satellite units, all supporting WPA3, EasyMesh, and 160MHz channel widths. This launch brings WiFi 7 capabilities into the mainstream with price-conscious performance.

Source: Netgear

QNAP Debuts Dual NAS High Availability System for Mission-Critical Use

QNAP has officially launched a new high-availability (HA) NAS solution featuring dual controllers to deliver continuous uptime and real-time failover protection for business operations. Designed for enterprise use, the system enables synchronized operations across two NAS units, ensuring no service interruptions during system maintenance or failures. The solution supports active-passive deployment with full-volume mirroring and is optimized for QNAP’s ZFS-based QuTS hero OS. With the rise of mission-critical hybrid cloud and surveillance workloads, this marks a strategic push into redundancy-first storage solutions.

Source: QNAP

Intel Posts Q2 2025 Results, Highlights Progress in Foundry and AI Strategy

Intel has released its Q2 2025 financials, showing mixed results as it continues to transition under its IDM 2.0 strategy. While revenue was slightly down year-over-year, the company emphasized strong growth in its foundry services and AI acceleration products, including the Gaudi and Core Ultra lineups. Intel also confirmed progress in its advanced packaging and fabrication nodes, aiming to regain process leadership by 2026. The report underlines Intel’s strategic pivot toward AI infrastructure, server acceleration, and custom silicon manufacturing to diversify its revenue base.

Source: Intel

SanDisk Forms High Bandwidth Flash (HBF) Advisory Board

SanDisk has announced the formation of an HBF Advisory Board, aimed at accelerating development of high-bandwidth flash memory technologies. The board includes experts from hyperscale storage, cloud infrastructure, and academic sectors, collaborating on new standards and architectural innovations. With flash demand rising due to AI, 5G, and edge computing workloads, SanDisk aims to influence future memory ecosystems while differentiating itself through performance and endurance enhancements. This move positions SanDisk as a key player in shaping next-generation flash platforms.

Source: SanDisk

Synology Releases Drive 4.0.0 Beta with Collaboration Upgrades

Synology has launched the beta version of Synology Drive 4.0.0, bringing interface refinements, improved file versioning, and enhanced sharing capabilities for collaborative workspaces. The update also includes performance optimizations for large file transfers and better integration with Synology Office. Admins gain new control options for team folders, user permissions, and external sharing rules. As Synology positions itself further into hybrid work environments, Drive 4.0.0 reflects the company’s push toward feature parity with enterprise cloud file solutions.

Source: Synology

Micron Unveils Radiation-Resistant SSDs for Space Environments

Micron has revealed a new line of radiation-tolerant SSDs designed for space applications, including satellites and orbital platforms. These drives offer protection against cosmic rays and solar radiation while maintaining industrial-grade performance using Micron’s proprietary shielding and firmware error correction. With increased government and private sector investment in orbital data infrastructure, these drives open the door for longer-lifespan data handling in harsh space conditions. Micron’s move highlights the convergence of aerospace demands and commercial solid-state storage innovation.

Source: Micron

KLEVV Expands Consumer SSD Portfolio with CRAS C925G, C910G, and NEO N410

KLEVV has refreshed its SSD lineup with the CRAS C925G and C910G NVMe drives, alongside the NEO N410 SATA SSD, targeting mainstream and enthusiast users. The C925G offers Gen 4 performance up to 7,400MB/s, while the C910G delivers solid Gen 3 speeds with strong endurance ratings. The NEO N410 retains wide compatibility for legacy systems needing a SATA interface. These new drives emphasize a balance of performance, aesthetics, and reliability, featuring stylish heat spreaders and expanded capacity options up to 2TB.

Source: KLEVV

QNAP Debuts AI Accelerators QAI-M100 & QAI-U100 to Enhance NAS Image Recognition

QNAP has announced two new AI acceleration modules—the QAI-M100 and QAI-U100—designed to improve image recognition tasks on compatible QNAP NAS systems. The QAI-M100 is a PCIe card based on the Hailo-8 AI processor, while the QAI-U100 is a USB-based alternative, enabling powerful AI inferencing without needing a GPU. These accelerators support QNAP’s QuMagie and QVR Face applications, dramatically boosting facial recognition and object detection performance. This move reflects QNAP’s broader strategy to offer scalable, edge AI capabilities directly within NAS environments for surveillance, smart storage, and media categorization.

Source: QNAP

Kioxia Reveals World’s First 245.76TB PCIe SSD for Enterprise Storage

Kioxia has unveiled a groundbreaking PCIe 4.0 SSD with a massive 245.76TB capacity, the highest ever announced for an NVMe drive. The drive, intended for hyperscale and AI training data centers, uses Kioxia’s EDSFF E3 form factor and quad-level cell (QLC) NAND technology to maximize density and reduce power consumption per TB. Though not yet in retail channels, it represents a significant step in enterprise flash storage evolution and underlines Kioxia’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of flash capacity in cost- and space-sensitive applications.

Source: Kioxia

Synology Announces DS225+ NAS, Expands Entry-Level Line with Dual-Core CPU

Synology has officially introduced the DiskStation DS225+, a 2-bay NAS powered by a dual-core Realtek RTD1619B processor, 2GB DDR4 RAM, and support for Btrfs file system and Synology Drive. Positioned as a quiet, power-efficient upgrade over the DS220+, the DS225+ offers SMB 3.0 support, surveillance features, and cloud synchronization via Synology Hybrid Share. Although it lacks M.2 NVMe and 10GbE options, it targets home users and small offices that require reliable file storage, backups, and media streaming at an affordable entry point.

Source: Synology

UniFi OS Server Unveiled as Centralized On-Prem Controller Platform

Ubiquiti has introduced the UniFi OS Server, an all-in-one, rackmount-ready appliance designed to host UniFi Network, Protect, Access, and Talk controllers under a single platform. Unlike the Dream Machine Pro, the UniFi OS Server is focused entirely on management rather than routing, making it suitable for larger deployments that use external gateways or routers. It features a powerful CPU, redundant power support, and SSD storage, giving businesses and MSPs a scalable, secure, and centrally managed solution for distributed UniFi device environments.

Source: Ubiquiti

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