Specifications

QNAP's NAS uses Intel's Braswell N3050 CPU, a CPU with a very low TDP of 6 W and support for up to 8 GB of memory. There are also two versions of the TS453A, one with 8 GB and another with 4 GB of memory. There are even four Ethernet ports, which is way too many for a NAS with such a weak CPU.

The I/O is consists of four USB 3.0 ports, two microphone jacks, a line out, and two HDMI 1.4a ports. QNAP's HDMI ports allow you to connect two monitors to this NAS, which is useful should you want to use this NAS as a dedicated PC.

This NAS is quite small for a 4-bay NAS because it uses an external 96 W PSU, which is enough. According to QNAP, power consumption is very low, but we will have to verify those claims with our own equipment. Cooling is handled by a single 120 mm fan that is actually mostly used to cool the HDDs down because of the CPU's low TDP.

At $750, the TS-453A is quite expensive, and it seems as though you will have to pay a premium for its enhanced multimedia capabilities. As with most other NAS servers, its warranty is only two years long.