Introduction
Network-attached storage has become a sought-after addition to today's connected home, and we've often stated that once you become accustomed to the versatility of a NAS, you may wonder how you ever lived without. But there have been some stumbling blocks along the way. Earlier models weren't particularly user friendly, the hardware tended not to be a stylish addition to the home, and pricing remained prohibitive.
How times have changed. For 2018, Taiwanese manufacturer Qnap has updated its award-winning range with the addition of the entry-level TS-228A. Currently available for just under £150, this dual-bay box helps demonstrate how NAS has expanded its reach from the knowledgeable enthusiast to just about anyone who owns a computer gadget or two.
Measuring 188mm x 90mm x 125mm in size, the TS-228A is one of the more petite dual-bay NAS solutions on the market and is designed to blend neatly into the modern home. You'd hardly notice it on a bookshelf and the sleek white exterior, pale green lid and column of status LEDs are a far cry from the dark, bulky boxes of old. Such a svelte profile does result in a small 65W external power supply, yet it's a tidy package that can function with just two cables; power and Ethernet.
Keeping it simple is the name of the game at this price point, yet we're pleasantly surprised to find the front of the unit equipped with a USB 3.0 port for one-touch copying from an external drive. The rest of the ports are tucked around back, where you'll find two USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet and a connector for the aforementioned power supply. Spending more on a premium NAS might afford you dual LAN, HDMI output, an SD card slot or forward-looking USB Type-C, yet it is no surprise to find that such features aren't part of the TS-228A remit.
