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Today on hand is a new QNAP NAS that aims to do it all, the TS-453A. This 4-bay NAS is part of a broad series of new devices supporting QNAP’s HybridDesk Station along with QTS-Linux dual systems. On offer is a heap of connectivity options and powering the device is a Braswell quad-core SoC...
QNAP now offers a massive range of NAS products from enterprise class devices down to simple and affordable home user devices. Not just that, but each product line features a variety of models supporting varying amounts of drives. One of their most recent series, the TS-x53A for example comes in 2-bay, 4-bay, 6-bay and 8-bay models.
 So what makes the TS-x53A series special? This is the first QTS-Linux dual system NAS geared for the IoT (Internet of Things) era. Based upon QNAP’s advanced virtualization technologies this new series allows users to use the existing apps designed for the QTS operating system with the ability to develop or utilize IoT packages for Linux and display them using HDMI output. So while the 4-bay TS-453A that we have for review is classified as a NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device, it is more of a server. Actually it is hard to define a product such as the TS-453A, as it can be used for so many things and therefore has the potential to be a direct replacement for so many devices. This is something I feel QNAP is doing much better than any of their competition. By simply plugging in a keyboard, mouse and monitor supporting HDMI the TS-453A pretty much becomes a PC and could certainly be a HTPC replacement. It is also possible to operate the Linux Station as a remote desktop via web browser for instant management. The TS-453A packs a wealth of connectivity options, certainly far more than any NAS we have seen previously. Not only that but the TS-x53A series supports an expansion enclosure offering an additional five or eight drives, while the memory is also upgradable. Speaking of memory, we have the 4GB version of the TS-453A on hand, but there is also an 8GB model. Tech savvy users will want to purchase the much cheaper 4GB model and upgrade the memory to 8GB for around $20, much cheaper than the $150 QNAP will charge you. All up the TS-453A is currently selling for $600 in diskless form. Keeping all that in mind, let’s move on to check the unit out in greater detail... |
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ProX |
Posted on: 03/08/2016 07:15 PM
QNAP looks to be taking over. I would like to see some testing of the dual systems next time please, otherwise great review. |
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DBZ |
Posted on: 03/21/2016 11:29 PM
I am using this as a media server and it works great! |
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Tommi |
Posted on: 03/30/2016 11:56 AM
Good review. looks like a beast |