The TerraMaster D5 offers high performance with a single connected client, but once you try to stress it with two, something goes wrong and it disconnects from both. I believe a firmware upgrade can solve this problem, which TerraMaster should look into as soon as possible. That said, I have thus far come across no other issues with the D5, and I have been using it for well over a month.

Due to lighting-fast transfer speeds, I don't have to use the external SSD I purchased for my Mac mini anymore. Moreover, the DAS automatically starts as my Mac mini boots up, and I don't disconnect it before I shut down the Mac, which results in no drawbacks as far as I can tell. Other major advantages aside from its high performance are the low noise output, simple installation, and straightforward operation. While the compatible application might not have a nice user interface and lacks some options, like the ability for automatic firmware upgrades or fan-profile settings, it won't intimidate novice users and will get the job done. The low power consumption is also a big plus, especially if you plan on using the D5 for longer sessions on a regular basis.

Build quality looks solid, but I would like to see higher quality cooling fans with true fluid dynamic bearings, and the drive caddies should come with noise dampening and locks for enhanced physical protection. Lastly, it would be nice if a pair of 40 Gbps Thunderbolt cables were included.

Connect your MacBook or any other laptop that supports charging through Thunderbolt ports and you won't need any power adapters either. You can also attach an extra monitor to the DAS through the DP 1.2 port, which supports up to 4K resolution with a 60 Hz refresh rate.

With a lower price of $500 or $600, the TerraMaster D5 would be much more appealing, especially to video editors in need of something speedy and easy to use without messing with expensive NAS servers. I didn't expect such high transfer speeds from a bunch of HDDs, so the TerraMaster D5 seems like the ideal companion for my Mac mini. I wouldn't suggest RAID 0 for the highest-possible speeds if you store sensitive data on the DAS—use RAID 5 instead. You will lose speed, but your data will be much safer.