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 […]
https://nascompares.com/podcasts/weekly/week17-2025.wav This week in NAS and enterprise tech saw a flurry of innovation and ecosystem shifts across the board. From Lenovo’s sweeping AI-optimized storage portfolio and MINISFORUM’s Ryzen-powered NAS monster, to Synology’s deepening hardware lock-in and TerraMaster’s global rollout of its compact U4-500 rackmount system—storage is getting smarter, faster, and more contentious. Sustainability also took […]
Synology DS925+ NAS Officially Launches in Eastern Markets – Full Specs and Features Confirmed Following early retailer listings and semi-official leaks earlier this year, the Synology DS925+ NAS has now been formally launched in Eastern markets, including Taiwan, Japan, and China. With full documentation and product pages now publicly available, we finally have confirmation of […]
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 […]
Does this Budget $140 AliExpress 10GbE Switch Deserve Your Data? The landscape of 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking has seen a significant shift over the past few years, with hardware that was once considered enterprise-only gradually trickling down to the consumer and prosumer market. Affordable multi-gig switches, particularly those with 2.5G or SFP-only configurations, are now […]
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 […]
https://nascompares.com/podcasts/weekly/week16-2025.wav April 2025 has been packed with major updates and announcements across the NAS and tech ecosystem. Synology rolled out critical updates to Note Station, Cloud Sync, Photos, and DS finder, enhancing security, AI features, and cloud performance. TrueNAS launched its highly anticipated 25.04 “Fangtooth” release, unifying CORE and SCALE with powerful new enterprise features. […]
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. […]
Synology NAS compatible RAM FAQ Can any NAS be upgraded? Most NAS devices can be upgraded to some extent. Common upgrade options include adding more RAM, expanding storage capacity by adding more hard drives or SSDs, and upgrading the network interface cards (NICs). However, the extent of upgradability may vary depending on the specific […]
https://nascompares.com/podcasts/weekly/week15-2025.wav This week was rich in NAS innovation, SSD advancements, AI integrations, and some critical software and security updates. Proxmox released Backup Server 3.4 with faster garbage collection and smarter sync features, while Synology quietly opened public beta testing for its AI Console, bridging popular LLM platforms with its MailPlus app. UGREEN stole the spotlight […]
Are Chinese DIY NAS Devices Worth Your Time, Money, and Data? Over the last 2 years, I have discussed at length multiple different Chinese-built NAS solutions in one form or another. From DIY NAS motherboards from brands like Topton and CWWK to pre-built solutions arriving both with and without NAS software from brands like Ugreen, […]
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 […]
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 […]
A Guide to the Best 4-Bay NAS Drives to Buy Right Now For professionals moving from cloud storage to private servers, 4-Bay NAS devices have become the go-to choice in 2024. Offering large storage capacities of up to 24TB per drive and enhanced redundancy for data protection, these systems stand out for their reliable hardware […]
The Best M.2 SSD NAS of the Year As we close out 2024 and move into 2025, the evolution of SSD-based NAS systems has been nothing short of remarkable. This year has seen a surge in brands embracing M.2 NVMe and SATA-based SSD systems over traditional hard drives. Today, we highlight the best SSD flash […]
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 […]
Why NAS Drives are NOT for Everyone – 5 Reasons You Do Not Need a NAS Network Attached Storage (NAS) is often promoted as the ideal solution for data management, offering advantages like local control, redundancy, and flexible access. However, while NAS has many benefits, it is not the right choice for everyone. Depending on […]
You NEED A NAS Drive – And Here Is Why In today’s digital world, data storage plays a crucial role in both personal and professional environments. Many individuals and businesses rely on cloud storage for convenience, but it’s not always the best option. While cloud services provide accessibility and automation, they come with limitations, including […]
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, […]