QNAP TBS-453A 4-Bay M.2 SSD NAS Review
QNAP makes a variety of NAS devices that range from smaller desktop models with two drive bays to larger rack mount units with 24 or more drive bays. At CES 2016, QNAP announced the TBS-453A M.2 SSD NAS. Along with M.2 SSDs, the TBS-453A contains a built in four port 1 gigabit switch. Initially, I was a little confused as to where this product would fit in. SSDs are more expensive than traditional mechanical hard drives and on top of it, M.2 SSDs tend to be slightly more expensive than 2.5″ drives. As well, the consumer SSD market has less capacity per drive than mechanical hard drives. However, do not mistake my confusion for disinterest. From a throughput standpoint, SSDs offer very little performance advantage over a mechanical hard drive on a gigabit Ethernet (GbE) connection as mechanical hard drives can saturate a single 1 GbE link. The QNAP TBS-453A is offered in two versions. One model contains 4 GB of RAM while the other is offered with 8 GB of RAM.
Packaging
Traditionally QNAP plays the minimalist in terms of packaging; meaning they do not put a lot of artwork and graphics on their packaging. The same holds true for the TBS-453A NAS. The NAS is packaged in a plain cardboard box with a small sticker that contains product information such as product specifications and features. The TBS-453A is protected from scrapes and scratches by a plastic bag.
Two 6′ Ethernet cables, a power adapter, a media center remote control, and a quick start guide accompany the TBS-453A in the packaging.
Specification
| Ordering P/N | TBS-453A-4G | TBS-453A-8G |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 14nm Intel® Celeron® N3150 quad-core 1.6GHz, burst up to 2.08GHz | |
|
Floating Point Unit
|
✔ | |
|
Hardware Encryption Acceleration
|
✔ (AES-NI) | |
| GPU | 8th generation Intel HD Graphics | |
| System Memory | 4GB (2 x 2GB) | 8GB (2 x 4GB) |
| Maximum Memory | 8GB | |
| Memory Slot | 2, SODIMM DDR3L-1600 (*For dual-DIMM configurations, you must use a pair of identical DDR3L RAM modules.) | |
| Flash | 4GB | |
| Drive Type | 4 x M.2 2280/2260/2242 SATA 6Gb/s SSDs | |
| Pre-installed M.2 SSDs | – | – |
| Raw Capacity | Optional purchase | Optional purchase |
| Default Capacity (Factory Configuration) | Optional purchase | Optional purchase |
| Network | 5 x Gigabit LAN ports (Port 1 and any of the four ports from 2-1 to 2-4 are available to the 2 built-in network cards, and the remaining three ports can work as switch ports.) | |
| USB Port | 4 x USB 3.0 & 1 x USB 2.0 ports Support USB printer, pen drive, and USB UPS, etc. |
|
| Video Output | 2 x HDMI, up to 4K 2160P 30Hz Ultra HD support | |
| Audio Input | 2 x 3.5mm microphone jack (dynamic microphone only) | |
| Audio Output | 1 x built-in speaker, 1 x line out jack (for amplifier or headphone amplifier) | |
| LED | Status/Power, USB, SSD 1-4 | |
| Button | Power, USB one-touch-backup, Reset, Volume Up, Volume Down | |
| IR Receiver | ✔, support QNAP RM-IR002, RM-IR003 and MCE-compatible Remote Control(DM) | |
| Security | Kensington security slot | |
| Dimension (HxWxD) | 25 x 230 x 165 mm / 0.98 x 9.06 x 6.50 inch | |
| Weight | 724g / 1.60lbs. | 724g / 1.60lbs. |
| Power Consumption (W) | System sleep mode: 0.98W SSD standby: 13.05W In operation: 15.2W |
|
| Sound Level** | Sound pressure (LpAm) :10.8 dB(A) | |
| Working Temperature | 0-40˚C | |
| Relative Humidity | 5~95% RH non-condensing, wet bulb: 27˚C | |
| Power | DC10V-20V wide input range | |
| Fan | Compact internal fan | |
| Package Contents | NASbook, 65W 19V AC adapter, power cord, quick installation guide, Ethernet cable x 2, remote control, SSD installation kit | |
