QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading computing, networking, and storage solution innovator, today unveiled the 2U short-depth rackmount TS-873AeU NAS series, including the TS-873AeU and TS-873AeU-RP, with high-performance and energy-efficient AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000 series V1500B 4-core/8-thread, 2.20 GHz processors. The series is available in 8-bay models with single and redundant power supply options. The TS-873AeU series is suitable for tackling resource-demanding applications and tasks, such as virtual machines, intensive multi-user access, or hybrid cloud applications, making it a cost-efficient solution for businesses that depend on virtualization or VDI applications.

The 2U rackmount TS-873AeU series has a short depth design of only 11.7 inches (297.4 mm) for up to 38% reduction in size, making it an excellent choice for smaller racks, wall-mount AV rack cabinets, and network rack cabinets. Space saved by its short depth design can greatly benefit cabling or ventilation. The TS-873AeU series is ideal for flexible deployment and is especially suitable for installation in locations such as offices, audiovisual rooms, and for applications such as security surveillance recording.

Sonnet Technologies today announced the Echo Dual NVMe Thunderbolt Dock, the latest offering in the company's popular Echo family of Thunderbolt docking stations and hubs. The new Echo dock features two 40 Gbps Thunderbolt ports, two internal M.2 NVMe SSD slots, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C ports, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A ports. The Sonnet dock is compatible with all Thunderbolt 4 computers; all M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max Mac computers; all Thunderbolt 3 Mac and Windows computers; and iPad Pro tablets with a Thunderbolt port.

A Thunderbolt docking station provides users a central place to connect computer peripherals — such as storage and input devices, a monitor, etc. — instead of directly to a computer that may have fewer ports than necessary, or inconvenient port placement. An SSD-based Thunderbolt 3 external storage device provides users the fastest possible data transfers from a peripheral device. Sonnet's Echo Dual NVMe Thunderbolt Dock combines the benefits of a docking station and Thunderbolt-connected SSD storage, enabling users to connect to their peripheral devices and high-performance storage through a single Thunderbolt cable.

SmartAVLink, a world-leading active optical cables (AOC) manufacturer, today announced the release of their next-generation USB type C Active Optical Cable available in a maximum length of 10 meters (33 feet).

With no external power needed, its built-in active circuitry is powered by both ends of the cable, eliminating external power supply costs. With power delivery of up to 60 watts, the next-gen AOC supports various voltage profiles up to 20 Volts at 3 Amps and is thus able to charge a wide range of devices. With a strong zinc alloy metal shell, the attractive gold-plated contacts maintain a long-lasting, reliable electrical connection. The next-gen cable is conveniently backwards compatible with previous USB standards and also works with Thunderbolt devices (With DP Alt Mode) and is available in 3-, 5-, 7.5-, and 10-meter (33 feet) lengths, with support available for extra customization.

In addition to the Marvel M02, Silicon Power today released the Marvel Xtreme M80 performance-segment USB flash drive. Built in the conventional 2-piece form-factor, the Xtreme M80 measures 68.5 mm x 17.8 mm x 8.2 mm (LxWxH), weighing about 8.5 g. It comes in 250 GB, 500 GB, and 1 TB capacities. The drive features a USB 3.1 Gen 2 type-A (10 Gbps) interface, and offers sequential transfer rates of up to 600 MB/s reads, and up to 500 MB/s writes, and takes advantage of UASP. Its plastic body features a brushed alumiunium-looking finish, with a chrome element toward the end. The company didn't release pricing.

Today, Intel announced the Intel NUC 12 Extreme (code-named Dragon Canyon) and the Intel NUC 12 Extreme Compute Element (code-named Eden Bay), a highly modular desktop PC kit engineered to provide phenomenal performance for high-end gaming and content creation tasks. With the latest 12th Gen Intel Core desktop processors, capacity for full-size 12-inch discrete graphics cards and a full range of I/O ports including Thunderbolt 4, the Intel NUC 12 Extreme delivers massive performance and features that enthusiast gamers and professional creators need in a compact and modular form factor.

The Intel NUC 12 Extreme brings Intel's new performance hybrid architecture and a socketed motherboard to the NUC line for the first time. For those who want a powerful system with a small footprint and more versatility than ever before, the Intel NUC 12 Extreme Kit is an outstanding option. The most powerful Intel NUC yet encompasses new features, like performance hybrid architecture and access to faster PCIe interfaces, accelerating load times, all in a footprint that can fit on any desk.

The NUC Extreme might not share much in terms of design with either the original NUC or its earlier Extreme siblings these days, as it's grown into a rather hefty SFF system. Now the 12th gen NUC Extreme has leaked and it comes with a few unexpected surprises, in both a good and a bad sense. Initially it looks like there will be two main barebones SKU's, the NUC12EDBi9 and the NUC12EDBi7, with a 65 W Core i9-12900 and a Core i7-12700 CPU respectively. In other words, it appears we're not looking at any dedicated CPU SKU's this time around.

The first thing that sticks out in the spec is the fact that Intel has gone for a pair of DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, rather than DDR5. In all fairness, this could be due to a lack of DDR5 SO-DIMMs in the market, but feels odd in a product with Extreme in the product name. Memory speeds of up to 3200 MHz are supported and up to 64 GB can be fitted. On the storage side, there's support for no less than three PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe drives using the 2280 form factor. Two of the slots can also accept 2242 drives and SATA drives. A full PCIe 5.0 x16 slot is also present for an optional graphics card, but more on that a little bit later.