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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Is the CWWK N355 Soft Router Firewall / NAS Box Worth Your Data? (Review) DIY router boxes have gained popularity in recent years, especially those coming out of China with various hardware configurations. The CWWK N355-powered firewall appliance is an intriguing option, not just as a high-performance router but also as a potential NAS device. […]
CWWK N355 DIY NAS Motherboard Review The CWWK N355 DIY NAS motherboard is a Mini-ITX board designed for users looking to build a compact yet powerful NAS system with high storage capacity and expansion potential. Featuring the Intel Twin Lake N355 processor, dual 2.5GbE networking, six SATA ports, and two NVMe slots, it balances performance […]
Visiting a NAS Production Facility in Shenzhen, China – The CWWK Factory and Office Tour As part of a broader effort to explore the landscape of Chinese tech manufacturers, I recently visited the facilities of CWWK (ChangWang) in Shenzhen, China. CWWK is best known in enthusiast circles for producing NAS motherboards and compact computing solutions, […]
Visiting a NAS Production Facility in Shenzhen, China – The CWWK Factory and Office Tour As part of a broader effort to explore the landscape of Chinese tech manufacturers, I recently visited the facilities of CWWK (ChangWang) in Shenzhen, China. CWWK is best known in enthusiast circles for producing NAS motherboards and compact computing solutions, […]
Updates on the Minisforum N5 and N5 Pro NAS Minisforum is no stranger to shaking up established markets. Known primarily for its innovative and compact mini PCs, the brand has now turned its attention to network-attached storage (NAS) solutions. Earlier this year at CES 2025, Minisforum unveiled the N5 Pro NAS — a five-bay, AI-optimized […]
Updates on the Minisforum N5 and N5 Pro NAS Minisforum is no stranger to shaking up established markets. Known primarily for its innovative and compact mini PCs, the brand has now turned its attention to network-attached storage (NAS) solutions. Earlier this year at CES 2025, Minisforum unveiled the N5 Pro NAS — a five-bay, AI-optimized […]
UGREEN NASync NAS: One Year Later – The Good, The Bad, and What’s Still Missing? One year ago, UGREEN made waves in the NAS industry by launching its NASync series through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, raising $6.6 million from over 13,000 backers. This new line of NAS devices aimed to offer a cost-effective alternative […]
UGREEN NASync NAS: One Year Later – The Good, The Bad, and What’s Still Missing? One year ago, UGREEN made waves in the NAS industry by launching its NASync series through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, raising $6.6 million from over 13,000 backers. This new line of NAS devices aimed to offer a cost-effective alternative […]
CWWK N355 DIY NAS Motherboard Review The CWWK N355 DIY NAS motherboard is a Mini-ITX board designed for users looking to build a compact yet powerful NAS system with high storage capacity and expansion potential. Featuring the Intel Twin Lake N355 processor, dual 2.5GbE networking, six SATA ports, and two NVMe slots, it balances performance […]
Minisforum AI X1 Pro Review The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is a compact high-performance mini PC designed for users who require a balance of processing power, AI capabilities, and expandability. Featuring the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, it integrates 12 cores, 24 threads, and an AI NPU capable of up to 80 TOPS, […]
Review of the CWWK x86 P6 Mini SSD NAS Review The CWWK x86 P6 Pocket SSD NAS is a compact, all-flash server aimed at home lab enthusiasts and small businesses seeking high-speed storage in a small form factor. It features four M.2 NVMe slots, dual 2.5GbE ports, and support for up to 48GB DDR5 memory, […]
Review of the CWWK x86 P6 Mini SSD NAS Review The CWWK x86 P6 Pocket SSD NAS is a compact, all-flash server aimed at home lab enthusiasts and small businesses seeking high-speed storage in a small form factor. It features four M.2 NVMe slots, dual 2.5GbE ports, and support for up to 48GB DDR5 memory, […]
Minisforum AI X1 Pro Review The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is a compact high-performance mini PC designed for users who require a balance of processing power, AI capabilities, and expandability. Featuring the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, it integrates 12 cores, 24 threads, and an AI NPU capable of up to 80 TOPS, […]
Here’s a list of motherboards suitable for DIY NAS projects, with relevant specifications and differences clearly highlighted: Motherboard Model Socket Type Chipset SATA Ports PCIe Slots NVMe Slots ECC Support Networking CPU Support Form Factor Special Features ASRock Rack X570D4U-2L2T AM4 X570 8 (6 x SATA3, 2 x SATA3 via ASMedia) 2 x PCIe 3.0 […]
The Lincstation N2 NAS Review The Lincstation N2 NAS is the successor to the Lincstation N1, a flash-focused NAS system that made waves in 2024. While the N1 was praised for its compact size and SSD-centric design, it had certain limitations, such as the lack of 10GbE connectivity and limited active cooling. Now, Lincplus has […]
GMKTec NucBox G9 Flash NAS Review – Insane Value? The GMKtec NucBox G9 represents the brand’s first attempt to transition from the mini PC market into the world of network-attached storage (NAS). This 4-bay, SSD-only system targets entry-level users and light workloads, offering affordability and versatility in a compact form factor. Designed as a hybrid […]