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| The UnifyDrive UC450 Pro and UC250 are now available for interested customers, packing a healthy array of features. |
In the ever-growing world of Network Attached Storage (NAS), finding the right balance between price and performance is key. UnifyDrive seems to have taken this to heart with its latest announcement, unveiling two new models aimed at opposite ends of the market: the value-focused UC250 and the powerhouse UC450 Pro. Whether you're a home user backing up family photos or a creative professional editing 8K video, there's a new option on the table.
For a deeper look at the official announcement, you can read the full report over at Linux Gizmos.
The UC250: Your New Entry-Level NAS Champion?
Let's start with the wallet-friendly option. The UnifyDrive UC250 is positioned squarely as an affordable, no-fuss NAS solution. It’s powered by an Intel N150 "Twin Lake" CPU, a quad-core, four-thread chip with a modest 6-watt TDP. Performance-wise, think of it as being roughly on par with an 8-year-old laptop Core i5 processor—perfectly adequate for file serving, media streaming, and running lightweight docker containers, but not for heavy lifting.
The specs are sensible for its class:
- Memory & Storage: Supports up to 16 GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and includes 32 GB of onboard eMMC storage. It offers dual M.2 2280 slots (PCIe 3.0) and dual 2.5/3.5-inch drive bays, supporting a maximum raw capacity of 76 TB.
- Connectivity: Features a 2.5G Ethernet port for speedy local transfers, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, and an HDMI 2.1 output.
- Form Factor: It stays compact at 15.8 x 9.8 x 23.3 cm and light at just 1.08 kg (2.38 lbs).
The takeaway? The UC250 is a compelling package for anyone dipping their toes into networked storage. It promises modern connectivity in a small box without breaking the bank.
The UC450 Pro: A Desktop Powerhouse with Thunderbolt 4
On the complete other end of the spectrum sits the UnifyDrive UC450 Pro. This model is built for users who view their NAS as a central workhorse, not just a storage box.
The heart of the beast is an Intel Core Ultra 5 225H processor. With 14 cores (a mix of performance and efficiency cores) and Intel's Arc 130T integrated graphics, this CPU delivers synthetic benchmark performance competitive with modern laptop APUs like the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS. It can handle robust virtualization, demanding photo management suites, and even serve as a light media transcoding server.
The pro-grade specifications are impressive:
- Memory & Storage: Supports a massive up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory. Storage flexibility is its superpower, with four M.2 2280 slots (three PCIe 4.0, one PCIe 3.0), dual U.2 slots, and dual SATA 3.0 bays, enabling a staggering 152 TB maximum configuration.
- Elite Connectivity: This is where it truly stands out. It features dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, enabling direct, ultra-high-speed connections to a workstation and support for external GPU (eGPU) enclosures for GPU-accelerated tasks. It also includes a 10G and a 1G Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1, and USB 3.2 Gen 2.
- Additional Features: Comes with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless flexibility. As expected, it's larger and heavier (18.4 x 18.4 x 24.2 cm, ~3.7 kg) to accommodate its expanded capabilities.
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| At just under $400, the UnifyDrive UC250 NAS is a budget option with a maximum capacity of 76 TB. |
The Verdict: Who Are These For?
UnifyDrive's new duo clearly targets distinct audiences. The UC250 is an ideal first NAS or a simple, centralized storage solution for a small office or tech-savvy household. The UC450 Pro, however, is a prosumer or small business dream, acting as a potent server for applications, a fast-editing repository for videographers, or a dense, high-speed data vault.
For users who need even more drive bays at a similar high-performance tier, alternatives like the 8-bay Ugreen DXP8800 offer another compelling choice. It's worth noting that this competitor is currently seeing significant discounts on major retailers.
Ready to explore current pricing for these NAS solutions? Check out the latest deals on Amazon here.
Bottom Line: UnifyDrive is covering its bases. With the UC250 and UC450 Pro, they offer a clear path from "getting started" to "going pro" in the world of private, networked storage. Your choice ultimately comes down to your performance needs, expansion plans, and, of course, your budget.
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| The UnifyDrive UC450 Pro NAS features Thunderbolt 4 support, allowing speedy eGPU setups. |