QNAP Launches 4-bay TBS-453A M.2 SSD NASbook

[btarunr]

QNAP Systems, Inc. released the world's first M.2 SSD-based NAS - the TBS-453A NASbook. Featuring a quad-core Intel processor and using M.2 SSDs for storage, the TBS-453A not only provides full NAS functionalities with RAID protection in an ultra-compact size, but can also act as a physical network switch and share network access with multiple users. With its compact, near-silent design, dual HDMI output and 4K display, the TBS-453A NASbook can fit in anywhere to boost the productivity and connectivity of small offices.

"M.2 SSDs are now used in thin-and-light laptops and small-form-factor PCs. Remarkably small in size, they deliver high performance with zero noise and are expected to become more affordable as they become more popular," said Jason Hsu, Product Manager of QNAP, adding "In light of M.2 SSD's benefits, we are proud to present the industry-first TBS-453A M.2 SSD NASbook to provide users with a portable yet versatile NAS."



The TBS-453A is powered by a 14nm Intel Celeron N3150 quad-core 1.6GHz processor (that can automatically burst up to 2.08GHz for CPU-intensive tasks) and dual-channel 4GB/8GB DDR3L RAM. The TBS-453A features 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 3 Gigabit switch ports that supports network switch and private network modes. These modes allow users to easily build flexible network environments to enhance workgroup collaboration by allowing connected devices to access files stored on the TBS-453A or to share internet connectivity. It delivers up to 112MB/s throughput per LAN port while being incredibly energy efficient and supports AES-NI hardware-accelerated encryption to drive AES 256-bit encrypted transfer speeds of up to 109MB/s throughput per LAN port.

The TBS-453A is supplied with a compact AC adapter and supports a wide range 10V~20V DC input to meet various power sources. The RAM and SSDs are easily accessible for installation and upgrading. The TBS-453A's storage is expandable by connecting an 8-bay UX-800P or 5-bay UX-500P expansion enclosure.

The TBS-453A is also geared for rich multimedia applications. Users can connect it to a TV or A/V receiver to enjoy 4K multimedia content. With its two 3.5 mm microphone jacks, a Line out port, a built-in speaker, and the OceanKTV app, the TBS-453A can also be transformed into an affordable karaoke machine or for use with diverse audio applications.

The TBS-453A comes with various applications to meet business needs and to improve productivity. By connecting a keyboard, mouse and HDMI display, Linux Station allows the NAS to be used as a Linux workstation to empower open-source software development and to allow users to run Linux apps. Qsirch lets users find NAS data amazingly quickly with its powerful near real-time full-text search engine. QTS Storage Manager provides a web-based snapshot tool for efficient data recovery, allowing up to 1,024 snapshots for volumes and LUNs in a NAS. The TBS-453A further offers a hybrid approach to virtualisation applications. Virtualisation Station allows users to run multiple Windows, Linux, UNIX and Android based virtual machines on the NAS with a HDMI monitor and USB keyboard/mouse support (via QvPC Technology), and Container Station integrates both LXC and Docker virtualisation technologies.

Key specifications of the TBS-453A:

• TBS-453A-4G: shipped without M.2 SSDs
• TBS-453A-4G-480GB: shipped with 2 x 240GB M.2 SSDs
• TBS-453A-4G-960GB: shipped with 4 x 240GB M.2 SSDs
• TBS-453A-8G: shipped without M.2 SSDs
• TBS-453A-8G-480GB: shipped with 2 x 240GB M.2 SSDs
• TBS-453A-8G-960GB: shipped with 4 x 240GB M.2 SSDs

Hardware:

• Quad-core Intel Celeron N3150 1.6GHz processor (burst up to 2.08GHz)
• Dual-channel 4GB/8GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM RAM (max. 8GB)
• 4x M.2 2280/2260/2242 SATA 6Gb/s SSDs
• 2x Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet ports + 3x Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet switch ports
• 2x 4K-compatible HDMI ports
• 4x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB 2.0 port
• 2x 3.5 mm microphone jacks (dynamic microphones only)
• 1x Line Out audio jack and 1x built-in speaker
• 1x SD card reader

For more information, visit the product page.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Breit]

What's the use case for this again?

I guess they've overlooked the fact that M.2 SSDs are all very small as of now...

 

[Disparia]

I've been to places where this would work and I'm talking about the pre-config SKUs with only 240GB sticks; could also purchase the base model along with 4 x 1TB M.2 for more storage. If that still seems small then your use probably doesn't match up with this product.

A friend of mine once ran a studio for photographers. I built a system for them where they could dump their CF/SD cards, process them, and when all is said and done archive the data onto another array. It was also a web server so that with a generated link and password people could view their photos. A script I wrote would optimize for web and apply a watermark. This product is similar to that system, dump onto the M.2 array, process it, then archive onto an attached UX-800P.

 

[Breit]

This has only 1GigE connection, so it isn't exactly fast storage for editing. But if that 1GigE speed is sufficient, then why not directly working on the NAS where this would be stored in the end anyway?

I must've overlooked some key feature here...

Anyway, a NAS purely consisting of M.2 SSDs is appealing nonetheless. It just needs more slots. A lot more...

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

What's the use case for this again?

I guess they've overlooked the fact that M.2 SSDs are all very small as of now...

Not to mention much more expensive per GB, and much hotter (samsung pro 950 m.2 idles at 55c in my laptop, during games it hits the low 70c)

Two 2TB SSDs would cost about the same, give more storage space, and would run much cooler, all while still saturating the gigabit NIC. Heck, two laptop harddrives could do that.

 

[newtekie1]

This has only 1GigE connection, so it isn't exactly fast storage for editing. But if that 1GigE speed is sufficient, then why not directly working on the NAS where this would be stored in the end anyway?

I'm pretty sure it supports SMB teaming, so you can connect both of the 1Gb/s ports to a standard switch, and if you access it through Windows SMB share names, you can access it at 2Gb/s. But getting this working can be finicky...

You can buy one of the QNAP expander units to allow either 5 or 8 hard drives connected and managed by this.