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ASUS TS MINI HOME SERVER REVIEW (09-03-2010)
Today I'm going to take the Asus TS Mini home server for a test run and see how it performs when integrated into a typical home network. Since this is a product designed for the home market, it should be easy to setup and maintain, operate quietly, and be small enough to not be in the way of other electronic equipment.
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PATRIOT VALKYRIE 2-BAY NAS REVIEW (01-03-2010)
Given the fairly large feature set wrapped up in a well constructed, attractive unit, the Valkyrie is a good buy for those in the market for a simple home NAS. It supports up to 4TB of storage and has all the most commonly used functions like an FTP server, print server, media server, and one touch backup to an external device.
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SANS DIGITAL TOWER RAID TR4UT 4-BAY HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE REVIEW (13-02-2010)
The TR4UT from Sans Digital is a strong contender in the external storage market. With four drive bays supporting up to 8TB of storage, both home and small business users alike can easily back up important files using USB or the newer, faster eSATA interface. Top it all off with tool-free installation, fast performance and quiet operation, and you have yourself an external storage unit that is hard to beat.
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SYNOLOGY DS-210J TWO-BAY NAS REVIEW (02-02-2010)
Synology's DS210j is a great example of a low cost and easy to set up NAS unit geared towards home users and their demands. Storing and sharing multimedia files is a top priority in the home market, and the DS210j has those needs covered by providing a DLNA media server, iTunes server, audio station, download station, and various other features.
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XIGMATEK LIGHTER 60GB PORTABLE POCKET HARD DRIVE REVIEW (18-01-2010)
With so many portable hard drives currently on the market, competition is fierce and consumers are always on the lookout for the best bang for the buck. The Xigmatek Lighter is a stylish, low cost option that easily stands out. Not only does it look like an actual lighter, it's not much larger than one and provides an impressive 60GB of storage that fits in your pocket.
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THECUS N0503 COMBO NAS REVIEW (01-12-2009)
Thecus brings a lot to the table with the N0503 Combo NAS. You have the choice of using up to five 2.5” drives or up to three 3.5” drives for storage, and the new, more polished AJAX-based web interface is a step in the right direction. All the familiar features are here too including the media server, print server, web server, and a myriad of other functions that are all customizable for your particular needs.
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THERMALTAKE BLACX DUET DUAL HARD DRIVE DOCKING STATION REVIEW (17-11-2009)
The BlacX Duet is a very simple yet effective product for quickly accessing data on any two hard drives. And when I say any two drives, I mean it in a literal sense. The docking station supports all 2.5” and 3.5” SATA drives up to 2TB, so the chances of incompatibility with any current drives you have are slim to none. Furthermore, installation is completely tool-free and the absence of fans allow for silent operation.
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KINGWIN F-35 EXTERNAL SATA HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE REVIEW (04-11-2009)
After taking this enclosure from Kingwin for a test run, I can say it has a lot going for it. 2TB drives are supported, installation is quick and easy, and it looks good while still offering good performance and better cooling than a lot of other enclosures.
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THECUS N0204 MINI NAS REVIEW (14-10-2009)
The old saying is that good things come in small packages, and that's definitely the case with the Thecus N0204 Mini NAS. It's no larger than a portable hard drive but provides a lot more than just storage. I don't know of any other NAS box that is this portable and manages to pack an FTP server, print server, media server, and so many other features into a tiny unit that can fit in your jacket pocket.
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IN WIN AMMO SECURE HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE REVIEW (23-09-2009)
In-Win has come up with a successful combination of unique styling and practical functionality with the Ammo enclosure. Security is the name of the game here with a steel outer shell to protect the drive from the elements and RFID encryption to ensure important data isn't compromised. The enclosure will also make a good conversation piece when other people see it, since it is made to look like an ammunition clip.
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QNAP TS-219P DUAL-BAY HOME AND SOHO NAS (03-09-2009)
The TS-219P is a great solution for home users who want a full-featured NAS with a compact design and cheaper price tag than some of the larger QNAP NAS units. Two drive bays and the option of single disk, JBOD, or RAID 0/1 configurations will meet the needs of most home and small office users. Additionally, the built in software provides functions well beyond just storage.
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EAGLE TECH ET-CSIU2-BK I-SERIES 3.5” DUAL BAY JBOD ENCLOSURE (31-07-2009)
One of the great things about today's hard drive enclosures is the sheer number of choices available. Do some shopping around and you'll quickly realize there's a solution for any storage requirement no matter how large or small. For those in search of a simple dual-bay JBOD enclosure, the I-Series ET-CSIU2-BK definitely fits the bill.
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QNAP TS-809 PRO TURBO 8 BAY NAS (09-07-2009)
Well, after reviewing another QNAP product I can honestly say they haven’t let me down yet. If several terabytes of storage and a ton of features are what you need, than the TS-809 Pro NAS will have your business network covered both now and in the future. The eight drive bays combined with robust processing power and a much improved interface provide reliable storage and a host of other server functions for up to 512 network users.
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EAGLE TECH CONSUS ET-CSTESU2-BK EXTERNAL HDD ENCLOSURE (15-06-2009)
Overall, I'm impressed with this product. For $30 you get a quality enclosure with USB and eSATA connectivity, all the cables needed to get up and running, and a blue LED base for an added touch of bling. The inclusion of data recovery and antivirus software sweetens the deal even further.
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SYNOLOGY DISK STATION DS-209 TWO-BAY NAS (01-06-2009)
The DS-209 is right up there with the best home/SMB NAS units currently on the market. Not only does it provide a fast and reliable storage solution for your network, but it also works as a small server that offers everything from web hosting to file sharing to video surveillance and beyond.
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VIZO MILANO 3.5” HDD ENCLOSURE W/ INTEGRATED MULTIMEDIA PLAYER (21-05-2009)
Overall, Vizo has an exciting product here with the Milano. It combines two useful products into one – an external USB hard drive enclosure plus a standalone multimedia player. This makes it possible to not only back up your favorite media files, but also enjoy them independently of a computer.
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THE MAMMOTH 20 TERABYTE CUSTOM MEGA-NAS PROJECT (27-04-2009)
The Mega-NAS project begins. I did some research on brand name high-capacity storage solutions. It will cost $30 000 - $50 000 for a network storage solution that meets my requirements. That is well beyond my budget. It is up to me to design and build a system capable of meeting my high capacity and processing power requirements.
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QNAP TS-439 PRO INTEL ATOM POWERED FOUR BAY NAS (14-04-2009)
Once again, this is an excellent showing from QNAP. Their NAS units have always exceeded my expectations by offering an impressive feature set and quality construction that consistently goes above and beyond the competition. The TS-439 Pro NAS continues that trend and utilizes the power of the Intel Atom processor, making for a robust yet efficient way to centralize not just storage but many other network operations as well.
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ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1 2.5” to 3.5” SATA HARD DRIVE CONVERTER (30-03-2009)
To sum it up, this is a handy product for both laptop users and enthusiasts who are considering a solid state drive for their main rig. It has a simple design that does exactly what it's supposed to do – provide a safe, secure and cool housing for a 2.5” SATA drive. The $20 price tag won't break the bank either.
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ICY DOCK MB881US-1S-1 EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE DOCKING STATION (17-03-2009)
The stand in particular turned out to be more rugged than I initially thought it would be. Despite that though, a drive mounted on the dock can still shimmy around pretty easily with the slightest touch. Because of this, it is probably best suited for an environment where it's not likely to be disturbed.
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ICY DOCK MB561US-4S QUAD BAY EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE (04-03-2009)
Icy Dock has done a fine job with this enclosure. With four bays, a removable 80mm cooling fan, and USB and eSATA interfaces, it will meet the needs of just about anyone looking for a high capacity external storage solution. On top of all that it has a modern, stylish design that looks great sitting on a desk.
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SUNNYTEK ST-2320 S/UESR TWO BAY HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE (24-02-2009)
Sunnytek's dual-bay enclosure is a decent product all around, but is best suited for users constantly on the go. The built-in carrying handle makes for a quick and easy way to transport the enclosure, and you can rest easy knowing the drives inside are being protected by a thick layer of sturdy aluminum.
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ICY DOCK MB671SK INTERNAL SATA HDD ENCLOSURE (03-02-2009)
I'll be honest - I never knew how useful an internal enclosure could be until I tried out this offering from Icy Dock. The ability to swap out hard drives without opening the case is a huge convenience to users who store files that span multiple drives. There is no loss of performance to worry about either – testing showed that transferring files back and forth is just as quick as if the drive was hooked up directly to the motherboard.
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THECUS N3200 PRO RAID 5 THREE BAY NAS (14-01-2009)
Thecus took a great NAS and made it even better with the N3200 Pro. It's difficult to tell it apart from the original N3200 just by looking at it, because underneath the hood is where all the upgrades have taken place. During testing, RAID 5 build time was impressive and transferring files with the Pro model is faster when compared to its predecessor. Beyond that, everything else is just about identical between the two devices.
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IN WIN NA USB/ESATA HDD ENCLOSURE (30-12-2008)
Leave it to the folks at In Win to provide us with an eye-catching creation to liven up your computer desk. The Na enclosure not only keeps data safe but also doubles as a well-crafted piece of art. The unique construction influenced by Chinese culture breathes new life into an external enclosure market currently flooded with monotonous designs.
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ICY DOCK MB664UEA-1S USB/FIREWIRE HDD ENCLOSURE (08-12-2008)
I have to say this is one of the best enclosures I've had the opportunity to review and what won me over is Icy Dock's simple yet effective design. It actually took me longer to un-box everything than it did to install the hard drive, power it up, and begin copying files.
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THERMALTAKE BLACX EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE DOCKING STATION (19-11-2008)
All in all, the BlacX is a fine piece of hardware. Solid construction, hot –swap capability, and good looks go a long way. Installation is a straightforward affair, with no surprises or hiccups. I was impressed by the speed over USB, though your mileage may vary.
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SANS DIGITAL MOBILENAS MN4L+(B) FOUR BAY NAS (14-11-2008)
Overall, the MN4L+ is a pleasure to work with. It does exactly what it should do which is to provide a stable and effective way to store files. This model in particular would be a great introductory NAS for someone new to RAID or network storage since setup is easy and the feature set isn't overwhelmingly long.
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THECUS N4100 PRO FOUR BAY NAS (30-10-2008)
Once again, Thecus has shown us an impressive product with the N4100 Pro. The setup process from start to finish was easy enough for a novice, but there are many additional features that advanced users will enjoy tweaking as well.
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NORCO DS-500 ESATA RAID STORAGE ARRAY (15-10-2008)
The bottom line is this - if you are okay with a noisy product and don't mind downloading manuals and software from the internet, the DS-500 is a fast, stable, centralized storage enclosure that will last long into the future.
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QNAP TS-509 PRO TURBO FIVE BAY NAS NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE SYSTEM (25-09-2008)
It's rare to come across a product that exceeds my expectations as much as this NAS did. Even excellent products usually have some minor issue that I come across during a review, but it was difficult to find anything negative at all to say about the TS-509. Everything about the setup was easy, from installing drives to configuring RAID to setting up the many additional features it offers. Once it was up and running, finding what I wanted was also easy due to the neatly organized interface.
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SANS DIGITAL MOBILESTOR MS2UT+(B) TWO BAY EXTERNAL RAID USB2.0/ESATA HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE (17-08-2008)
This device is a storage solution that has more to offer than an external hard drive, but without all the bells and whistles of a NAS. The option to create several different RAID arrays is a welcome feature for home users and small businesses alike who can't afford to lose data. The bright LCD screen combined with a clear, concise manual makes configuring an array a quick and easy task, even for a novice.
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THECUS N5200B PRO FIVE BAY NAS NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE SYSTEM (17-08-2008)
Safe, accessible mega-storage is what Thecus delivers with the N5200PRO, and they deliver it in spades! It even looks good doing it. With support for up to five terabyte drives and multiple RAID setups, this little jewel has what it takes to satisfy most any home/small business user.
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QNAP TS-409 PRO FOUR BAY NAS NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE SYSTEM (29-07-2008)
It carries a hefty $600 price tag, but the TS-409 Pro is a sound investment for a home or small business network. For those who need much more than just file storage and backup, this is the NAS to get. In addition to having a central location to store and back up files this product offers hard disk monitoring, FTP, Web, and SMTP server functions, user/group management, and one touch file copy from a USB disk – and that's just scratching the surface! Everything is managed through a well organized web interface that can be accessed remotely via a secure SSL connection.
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THECUS N3200 RAID 5 THREE BAY NAS NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE SYSTEM (25-06-2008)
Thecus succeeded in making a home NAS that is simple to set up without sacrificing features and functionality. Only a basic knowledge of networking is required to have dedicated storage up and running in a matter of minutes. If you can set up a home router, you can configure this NAS and be able to access files from any PC in the home.
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CORSAIR PADLOCK USB FLASH DRIVE (25-09-2007)
In the world of flash drives, the Padlock is unique. While in most cases it is a regular, run-of-the-mill drive, the addition of the passcode feature is a welcome addition. Passcodes are easy to set, or you can just leave the drive unlocked until you feel the need for security. Speed is about average, not super fast or deadly slow, and on par with other flash drives of its capacity.
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CORSAIR SURVIVOR GT USB FLASH DRIVE (25-09-2007)
While I didn't back my car over the Survivor to “crash test” it, the drive has a solid feel, and certainly looks like it could stand up to quite a bit of abuse. The water resistance is a nice plus, given that the drive is meant to be carried around, leading to the possibility of dropping it in a puddle, toilet, swimming pool, etc. You can rest assured that the Survivor will handle it all.
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A.C.RYAN ALUBOX ESATA/USB2.0 EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE (17-07-2007)
The AluBox is cheaply priced and performs admirably. As you can see above it also looks pretty cool with its subtle blue LED indicator. All in all I am quite impressed with this unit and I don't think you could do much better for this price. Whilst I did have some issues putting it together it was nothing a little time and patience couldn't sort out.
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SYNOLOGY DISKSTATION DS107E NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE ENCLOSURE (16-07-2007)
As a reviewer, it's always a pleasure to work with a product that performs as advertised. While a lot of products that we get here at Tweaknews meet expectations, it's a rare instance that we find one that exceeds expectations. The Synology Disk Station DS107e is just such a product. I was very impressed with what the DS107e was capable of. I was astounded at how easily Synology allowed me, a relative neophyte in this arena, to make all the features work..
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CYBER SNIPA DOG TAGS MULTITOOL USB FLASH DRIVE (21-12-2006)
The Cyber Snipa Dog Tags take the simplicity of a USB flash drive and turn it into quite the geek chic multipurpose gadget while still maintaining functionality. Personally, I can't say I'll be wearing these around my neck but I'll definitely be carrying them with me. They are durable, ultra portable, and have lots of handy devices readily available. Highly recommended for both gamers and computer techs!
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OCZ ROADSTER 1GB USB 2.0 MICRO FLASH DRIVE (14-11-2006)
OCZ's second introduction of a tiny micro flash drive is indeed another winner. It is small, it is robust, and best of all, it is incredibly handy. Carrying your car keys around is twice as hard as carrying this six gram monster around. That is right, it weighs six grams which is lighter than a soda cracker.
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OCZ ULTRA SLIM MINI-KART USB 2.0 FLASH DRIVE (18-05-2006)
Although this USB 2.0 drive is not the quickest on the market, the other features sure make up for the shortfall. Once you have this drive in your hand you will soon realize what I am talking about. This drive is just ridiculously small and has all the features you would expect from a normal flash drive.
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PLEXTOR PX-708UF EXTERNAL 8X DVD+-R/RW DVD BURNER (17-04-2004)
Today, I will be reviewing the PX-504UF's big brother, the PX-708UF. The PX-708UF is a carbon-copy of its predecessor in terms of connectivity and style. In terms of performance, the PX-708UF takes a fairly big leap forward by supporting 8 different formats (8X DVD+R, 4X DVD-R, 4X DVD+RW, 2X DVD-RW, 12X DVD-ROM, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW AND 40X CD-ROM). |
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BEST STORE PORTABLE 7 IN 1 MEMORY CARD READER (29-03-2004)
This is one of those devices that does not need a lot of words to describe it, yet speaks volumes for itself. It is so absolutely effortless to use, and has the potential of saving you a lot of money which you would have otherwise spent on storage media. |
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PLEXTOR PX-504UF EXTERNAL HIGH SPEED DVD+R/RW CD-R/RW DRIVE (03-11-2003)
The advantage of being able to choose either USB or Firewire makes the drive very versatile. The included software is fairly robust, though still user-friendly. Certainly, the unit is sleek and stylish… however few will pay for aesthetics alone. |
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CRUCIAL GIZMO(tm) 128MEG USB FLASH DRIVE(20-07-2003)
The drive performs well and problem free, and could be touted as one of the smallest USB drives around. But on the other hand, the price is almost twice as some other manufacturers drives with the same capacity. This is a major down point seeing that you will be paying for the name on the side and not for the product. |
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Samsung SM-332 DVD Combo Drive (15-01-2003)
A growing trend in computing is efficiency. Faster computers and their contained peripherals are being decreased in size while being increased in power, What I will be reviewing today is an excellent combo unit made by Samsung. From what I am told by the Samsung company officials, this combo drive is selling like hotcakes and you will see why further on in the review. |
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Samsung Spinpoint SP4002H 40GB Hard Drive (03-12-2002)
An often overlooked and mandatory component of your everyday computer, the hard drive is the slowest of your computer memory bringing up the rear behind the CPU cache and your ram. But, when calculating overall performance, most people think that they have to upgrade their CPU or ram when all they had to do is install a faster hard drive. |
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Samsung Model SW-232 32X10X40X CD Writer (23-08-2002)
The 32x burner from Samsung that I will be reviewing today is a GREAT all around burner for everyone. It is full of great features like buffer underrun protection, fast cd writing speeds, fast loading and unloading and comes with everything to get you making your favorite music cd's and/or backing up your data. |
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