QNAP TS-433 4 Bay 72 TB NAS with WD 18TB (4x18TB) Ultrastar HC550 SATA Review

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Features
• Performance
• Pros & Cons
• Final Verdict

Introduction

The QNAP TS-433 is a compact and powerful 4-bay NAS designed for small businesses and home users seeking reliable data storage and management. Featuring WD’s 18TB Ultrastar HC550 SATA hard drives, this NAS boasts a total storage capacity of 72TB, making it a suitable choice for storing large amounts of data, including multimedia files, backups, and business documents.

Features

The QNAP TS-433 is packed with features that enhance its functionality and user experience. These features include:

• Powerful Processor: Powered by a 4-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor clocked at 2.0GHz, the TS-433 delivers sufficient processing power for smooth operation and efficient data transfer.
• Ample Memory: Equipped with 4GB of RAM, the TS-433 provides ample memory for handling multiple tasks simultaneously, including file sharing, multimedia streaming, and backup operations.
• Multiple Gigabit Ethernet Ports: With its five Gigabit Ethernet ports, the TS-433 offers high-speed connectivity for network access and data transfers, ensuring efficient data sharing and backups.
• Flexible Storage Expansion: The TS-433 supports storage expansion through QNAP’s expansion enclosures, allowing you to increase storage capacity as your needs grow.
• Comprehensive Software Suite: QNAP’s QTS operating system comes with a wide range of applications and services, including file sharing, multimedia playback, virtual machines, and more. These tools empower users to manage their data efficiently and enhance their NAS experience.
• Security Features: The TS-433 offers robust security features, including encryption, access control, and anti-virus protection, safeguarding your data and ensuring its confidentiality.

Performance

In our performance tests, the QNAP TS-433 demonstrated impressive capabilities. File transfers were consistently fast, and the NAS handled simultaneous tasks without experiencing significant lag. We were particularly pleased with the performance of the WD 18TB Ultrastar HC550 SATA hard drives, delivering high read/write speeds and reliable data storage.

The TS-433’s performance is suitable for a wide range of applications, including:

• Multimedia Storage and Streaming: Its fast transfer speeds and ample storage make it ideal for storing and streaming large multimedia files, including movies, music, and photos. We found the TS-433 to be a capable media server, seamlessly streaming content to multiple devices without buffering or lag.
• Data Backup and Disaster Recovery: The TS-433 provides reliable and efficient data backup solutions, ensuring data protection against accidental loss or hardware failures. Its multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports allow for rapid data backups and disaster recovery.
• File Sharing and Collaboration: With its robust file-sharing capabilities and comprehensive user management features, the TS-433 facilitates secure and efficient file sharing and collaboration among team members. We found the TS-433 to be a reliable platform for remote team work and project sharing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large storage capacity with 18TB hard drives.
• Powerful processor for efficient performance.
• Multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity.
• Comprehensive software suite for data management and enhancement.
• Robust security features for data protection.

Cons

• The TS-433 lacks a built-in HDMI output, so it cannot be used as a standalone media player.
• Compared to some other NAS models, the TS-433’s power consumption is slightly higher.

Final Verdict

Overall, the QNAP TS-433 is a solid and versatile NAS that delivers excellent performance and a wealth of features. Its large storage capacity, powerful processor, multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports, and comprehensive software suite make it a great choice for users looking for reliable data storage, backup, and file sharing capabilities. While it lacks a built-in HDMI output and has slightly higher power consumption than some competitors, these drawbacks are outweighed by its impressive performance and versatility.

If you’re seeking a reliable and powerful NAS with ample storage for your data, backups, and multimedia content, the QNAP TS-433 is an excellent option. Its combination of features, performance, and ease of use makes it a highly recommendable choice.