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| The Minisforum N5 Air is a new NAS/mini-PC hybrid |
In the ever-evolving world of compact computing, Minisforum has carved out a reputation for delivering versatile and powerful mini-PCs. Their latest release, the N5 Air, takes this versatility to a whole new level. It’s not just another desktop replacement; it’s a fully-featured Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device that refuses to be boxed into a single role. For tech enthusiasts, home lab builders, and small offices looking to consolidate, the N5 Air presents a fascinating proposition: what if your central storage hub was also a capable Windows PC?
Blurring the Lines: A NAS That Wears Many Hats
At its core, the Minisforum N5 Air is a 5-bay NAS designed for traditional 3.5-inch HDDs. But glance at the specs, and you’ll see the DNA of a robust mini-PC. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 255 processor, a standard and reasonably powerful chip that comfortably handles everyday computing tasks, media playback, and lighter content creation. This dual-purpose design means you can install Windows (or Linux) directly and use the N5 Air as a silent, compact workstation.
The connectivity supports this hybrid vision. With one HDMI port and two USB-C ports capable of 4K output at up to 144Hz, driving multiple high-refresh-rate monitors is no issue. Imagine a setup where this one device sits in your home office: acting as a personal cloud server for your family’s photos and documents while simultaneously powering your productivity desktop environment. Files saved locally on its drives are instantly accessible across your home network—a seamless integration of personal computing and private storage.
Storage and Connectivity: Built for Speed and Expansion
Where the N5 Air truly shines as a NAS is in its impressive expansion capabilities. Beyond the five HDD bays, it boasts three M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, allowing for lightning-fast cache or dedicated high-speed storage pools. An included adapter even opens the door for U.2 drives, catering to users with enterprise-grade storage needs.
Networking is equally serious. It features dual Ethernet ports—one rated at 5 Gbit/s and the other at a speedy 10 Gbit/s. For those looking to maximize throughput and redundancy, Link Aggregation is supported. However, to truly benefit from this bandwidth, you’ll need a compatible high-speed switch and fast client devices to avoid bottlenecks elsewhere in your network.
Future-proofing is a key theme. The device ships with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, user-expandable all the way up to a massive 96 GB. An OCuLink interface provides a direct pipeline for adding an external GPU (turning this into a modest gaming rig or AI workstation) or additional storage. A PCIe slot offers yet another avenue for expansion cards, like more network ports or specialized controllers.
Software and Practical Considerations
Out of the box, the N5 Air comes with MinisCloud OS preinstalled on a 64 GB SSD, offering a ready-to-use NAS operating system. For users who prefer the flexibility of a mainstream OS, installing Windows is a straightforward alternative, unlocking its full potential as a hybrid device.
The practicality of using it as a daily-driver PC depends on your environment. In a living room media center or a minimalist desk setup, its silent operation and small form factor are major perks. For those with space constraints or a desire for tech consolidation, the NAS/mini-PC hybrid concept is not just a gimmick—it’s a space-saving, power-efficient solution.
Pricing and Alternatives
In the United States, the Minisforum N5 Air carries an estimated price tag of around $1,174. This positions it as a competitive option for a high-performance NAS with bonus PC functionality.
For those interested in checking current pricing and availability, the Minisforum N5 Air is listed on retailers like Newegg.
It’s worth comparing it to its sibling, the Minisforum N5 Pro, which we’ve reviewed previously. The Pro model may offer different trade-offs in performance, connectivity, or price, making it essential to weigh which features are most critical for your specific use case.
Final Verdict
The Minisforum N5 Air is a compelling piece of hardware that successfully bridges two traditionally separate worlds. It’s a powerful NAS with the expansion and connectivity that serious users demand, and a capable mini-PC that can handle a wide range of desktop tasks. While it might not be the absolute best-in-class for dedicated, high-transaction NAS workloads or the most powerful gaming PC, its strength lies in its unique combination.
For the tech-savvy user, the home studio owner, or the small business looking to simplify their infrastructure, the N5 Air offers a tantalizing "two-in-one" solution that is both practical and innovative. It challenges the conventional setup and might just be the central hub your digital life has been waiting for.
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| The N5 Air even includes a PCIe slot |
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| Five HDD bays are available on the N5 Air |