Tag Archives: Featured

ASUSTOR has become one of my go to manufacturers for NAS. They have made some great NAS at some very affordable prices. Naturally, as time goes on, components are less expensive for consumers and for manufacturers. This allows NAS makers to pack more power into their storage appliances without increasing costs. In some cases, we are finding more powerful NAS at lower costs. To compliment this decrease in costs, production ramps up, R&D ramps up, and product enhancements increase. Ok, the point of all that? ASUSTOR has released a new 8-bay NAS, gave it more power, slapped a new name on it, and... lowered the cost. Enter the AS5008T.

It seems like it was just yesterday that I set my sights on Crucial's MX100 256GB SSD. The MX100 was a solid drive (pun intended) that performed well, was affordable, and was as reliable as a 1980s Volvo (very reliable). Crucial thinks they can build on their strengths and impress me once again with their shinier, newer, MX200 500GB SSD.

I get very excited when I get a new case in the lab for review. I get even more excited when the case comes from BitFenix. BitFenix has been quietly making some of the best computer cases out there. Their signature SofTouch Surface Treatment is simply amazing. Having gained popularity with their Colossus case, BitFenix has decided to bring all that style and pizzazz to the Mini ITX platform, and dubbed it the Colossus Mini-ITX.

Just when I thought it was safe to open a box again, Thecus drops one at my door and tells me that they have produced the First Ever Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Essentials NAS. After coming hot off the heals of the Buffalo WSS 5400 NAS review, I thought I would have a break to get back to some good ole fashioned Linux based NAS reviews, I guess not. Having liked the Buffalo NAS, I can't wait to see what Thecus is able to accomplish with their W5000 5-Bay premium NAS.

In 2013, we published an article on building your own NAS for an affordable storage solution.  Well, there was such a positive reaction and such demand for an updated NAS build, I decided that it is high-time I revisit this article with a parts list relevant to 2015.

There doesn't seem to be much that I don't like about the mini ITX platform. I get everything I want and need and compact platform. Motherboard manufacturers have figured out how to pack all the power, performance, and features into a tiny little package. What isn't there to like about it? I have used the mini ITX platform for building NAS and compact file servers, but I never really considered using the platform for a gamer or daily use machine. ASRock thinks they can get me to turn to the Dark Side and leave my ATX, bigger is better, roots for their Z97E-ITX/ac motherboard and the ITX platform.

When I think about a NAS I think Linux and I think web based administration. Well, when I think about Buffalo, I think I love the hardware and I just use the administration. Buffalo, a solid hardware platform, starts to really look dated and unimpressive when comparing their administration to the likes of QNAP, Synology, and ASUSTOR. To address this, Buffalo has released another 5400 NAS appliance and slapped a WSS on the end of its name. If you don't know what that means... it means that Buffalo has outfitted their WS5400DR2 with Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 and is working at bringing their NAS back under the big lights.

Last year, we covered some of the addons we felt were the best out there for XBMC. Well, this is a new year and with the new year comes a new list... and name (KODI). This list will NOT include the previously mentioned items in last year's list of top addons. Here is my list for the Best KODI (XBMC) Addons for 2015

Windows Storage Server is an exciting development in the storage platform. It can run on nearly any spec'd hardware and allows for simple management of storage appliances across a wide variety of manufacturers. Unlike customized NAS OS from other platforms, you get similar features and functions across an array of manufacturers. It is offered in two flavors, provides simple management, and runs like a champ. Additionally, having familiarity with Windows Server operating systems allows administrators to dive right in.

If you are a case designer or manufacturer, you must be asking what can you do to differentiate yourself from the rest of the herd? After all, there are a ton of cases out there, but what will make yours stand out? Some may use fancy graphics, some will do it with price, and others will go right back to the drawing board. Computer cases have fundamentally stayed the same over the years. Outside of some minor changes like the PSU being moved from the top to the bottom, there isn't much to guess about. Well, SilverStone has some ideas that may be able to change the way you look at your computer case.