5.0 out of 5 stars QNAP TS-264-8G to the rescue

J. · 31 January 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } So after my 8 year old QNAP TS-253 Pro failed with the dreaded Intel Celeron degrading clock issue that occurs with that processor manufactured circa 2016, I was in desperate need of a new NAS.After researching 2 bay NAS units from Synology and QNAP I decided that I would stick with QNAP, the hardware of the TS-264-8G certainly is impressive for a consumer device, the old TS-253 Pro being more small business focused and well specified. Another deciding factor was the competitive price offered by Bolo, a good £60-80 cheaper than other reputable vendors.The setup was a breeze, I suppose my familiarity with the operating system QTS 5 helped with that but it is a relatively easy task for new users as you get a walk through process. I would recommend users first download and install the QNAP QFinder Pro app for Windows or other OS to make the process easier.The app will locate the NAS on the network and you can directly open a browser from it with the correct IP already set and continue setup via the browser.The first step of the setup will look for a firmware update and install that to get you up and running. My user case was straight forward as I was just going to transfer my Hard Drives from the old NAS to the new one, this worked well as both had the same firmware. That's something I really like about QNAP, even though the old one was a good few years old it has been well supported even though technically it is end of life.Before powering the new NAS up I had a look into the drive bay after removing the user removeable cover. The first thing I spotted was that the 8Gb of RAM was socketed and there was also a second unpopulated slot, so out came my box of computer bits and I found an 8Gb 2666 SO-DIMM that should theoretically work, popped it in and now have 16Gb which should help with a couple of VMs I run. Also accessible are the 2 PCI-e NVME slots which I plan to use at a later date, probably just as Cache but they can be used as part of the Storage Pool. There is also a rear slot that takes a low profile PCI-e card for peripherals. I must say that the whole NAS is extremely quiet in operation and I can barely hear it when I'm sat a foot away.As I said before the standard hardware is great, 2 x 2.5Gb network ports, 1 x HDMI, 4 x USB 3 ports, so that covers pretty much anything you'll want to connect to it. The drive bay carriers can take 2.5" drives with screws but if you're just using 3.5" they just clip in screwless.One thing that was immediately noticeable over the old NAS was the overall speed of the OS and interface, it's blistering by comparison.So far I am extremely happy that I purchased the TS-264-8G, I've no doubt its build quality and support will give me many years of sterling service. It's a shame the old one failed but I have since brought it back to life with the 100 Ohm resistor hack but the longevity of that is an unknown, it could last a day or go on forever, who knows but its not worth the risk?

5.0 out of 5 stars Little power house

M.J. · 1 August 2024

This is a small powerhouse of a NAS.For its size and cost its a brilliant piece of kit with room to expand, add SSD and faster network if required.Im running PLEX and VMs with no issues at all. 4k is smooth and transcodes are quickIts quiet, its quick, its well made. Its got plenty of options for connectivity and slots to add ssd/hdd for extra storage or backup as well as internal nvme slots and a slot for a card at the backQnap is easy to use and set up and this is definitely worth the money

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly easy to setup

W.W. · 4 October 2024

Reasonable price for a lot of functionality and decent specs too, expandable too so a great investment.

1.0 out of 5 stars OK for basic features, but crashes randomly otherwise

K.W. · 27 December 2024

The file transfer performance of this device was actually good, but folks paying £400 for a NAS will likely be more interested in its ability to run VM's and Docker containers. The basic file transfer functionality is available on far cheaper devices. My experience using the more advanced features was full of troubles. IT is my living so im not a beginner here.I had complete refusals to import OVA/OVF files for pre existing VM's (30GB), and random crashing of its web interface when bringing up and terminating containers (wordpress).There is literally no excuse for this behaviour and no reason why doing *anything* with docker containers should crash the nas web interface. Once it dies there was no way to recover it beyond a hard reset via the front panel switch. It would not accept SSH connections either.Eventually, I got sick of the constant issues, boxed it up and returned it. Life is simply too short!Other issues were the circa 10 mins boot time, and random failures to start the web interface on boot. A NAS should be something you can fit and forget, not something that needs to be messed with constantly simply to keep it running.

1.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't do what it says on the tin. Support is useless.

P.R. · 9 May 2023

The OS was unable to detected M2 slot 2. Initially Support said that the Crucial SSDs were not on the supported list. So I changed to red WD which were indeed on the supported list. Result didn't change. M2 Slot 2 listed as empty. Support stopped responding. After the second ticket being ignored I decided to return the item.I have now bought a different model, however should I experience problems again I will give up and buy Synology.I do not recommend this product.

1.0 out of 5 stars Shipped with a european plug and no adaptor

S. · 21 September 2023

Shipped with a european plug and no adaptor

Facil y potente

a. · 29 October 2024

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Muy contento con el producto. la única pega que para usar algunos programas hay que pagar licencias adicionales. en mi caso compartir videos caseros en 4k.

Excellent

M. · 17 November 2024

Qualité excellente. J’ai rajouté deux SSD M1 pour le cache et de la RAM pour pousser au maximum les perfs.Transcode des flux distants 4K en parallèle sans soucis.

Ottimo prodotto

A.G. · 8 October 2022

Rispondente all’uso programmato

does not have Celeron N5105

H.T. · 10 December 2023

as title says : 2-Bay Desktop NAS Intel Celeron N5105 . But it has N5095. downright lying to sell the product .

Amazing value NAS on sale, still great full price.

A. · 15 January 2023

So far, amazing. Every one of my current issues have been resolved. I mainly use it for multimedia so I add digital media to it and consume over different platforms like my TV, phone etc. Not having to hook up an external drive is one less annoyance. It has far too many apps for me but it's great to have choice.I managed to snag this on sale for 5000SEK (about 450€) and for that price it's great. Even for its normal price I'd say it's worth it.Look at nascompares if you need some more imformstion and to compare different NASes. They know their stuff.