Introduction
Qnap's four-bay TS-451 NAS was launched to much acclaim back in July 2014, and with good reason: the SOHO server was one of the first to feature an Intel 'Bay Trail' processor and could rightly claim to offer cutting-edge technology in a user-friendly package.
The processor in question, an Intel Celeron J1800, is a dual-core 64-bit SoC that can be considered a step up from the usual Intel Atom, bringing increased performance to mid-range NAS solutions. Making the most of Intel's varied portfolio, Qnap's choice of processor includes Quick Sync Video for real-time hardware transcoding, as well as support for virtual machines courtesy of Intel VT-x.
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Such features made the TS-451 a formidable choice for home users or small businesses, but there was a problem: cutting-edge technology doesn't come cheap, and at launch prices started at a staggering £550 for the basic 1GB model, or £650 for a unit outfitted with 4GB of memory as standard.
Hefty figures, but fast forward a few months and prices haven't merely stabilised - they've tumbled, with the TS-451 and TS-451-4G now fetching a far more palatable £350 and £400, respectively. At those figures the NAS is well worth another look, so we have the 4GB model on the test bench today.
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Finished in white with silver trim, the TS-451 is as easy on the eye as a NAS can be and is clearly designed with home users in mind. However, while more attractive than the usual black boxes, build quality is merely average - the chassis' plastic construction leaves something to be desired, and the pull-out drive trays are among the flimsiest we've seen. They do support 2.5in or 3.5in disks, but the pull-out mechanism feels very basic, they aren't tool-free, and the individual trays aren't numbered.
A shame, really, but do keep reading as aside from cheap-feeling plastic construction, the TS-451 is a very well-rounded package. LEDs on the front of the box keep you updated on current status (as do audible beeps) and the power button is joined by a one-touch copy button that works in conjunction with the front-facing USB 3.0 port.
Around back, a single 120mm fan is tasked with cooling the entire unit and is flanked by a column of connectivity options. These include, from bottom to top, a port for the bundled 90W external power supply, three further USB ports (one of the SuperSpeed variety), dual Gigabit Ethernet ports with support for trunking and failover, as well as a HDMI 1.4a output that can be used to connect the TS-451 directly to your HDTV.
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Aside from acting as a centralised storage server, the Qnap NAS touts comprehensive backup options, simplified remote access via myQnapCloud, simultaneous real-time transcoding for up to five users, an integrated Kodi-based media player (formerly XBMC) and, with the aid of Virtualisation Station, can double as a fully-fledged computer running your operating system of choice.
Such an array of functionality could bamboozle end users, but Qnap's QTS operating system ensures that isn't the case. A well-thought-out setup wizard has the box up and running relatively quickly, though building the initial RAID array can take a while - our quartet of 4TB WD Red hard disks took the best part of nine hours to fully synchronise.
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Gradually refined over the years, the QTS software is now at version 4.1 and in our estimation sits a close second to Synology's DiskStation as one of the most capable NAS operating systems available. Well presented and easy to get around, it does a good job of making the array of functions easily accessible and the built-in app store continues to introduce new possibilities at a steady rate.
We've merely scratched the surface of what the TS-451 could do - it's worth paying a visit to the official product page for a more comprehensive list of features - but the question we now want to answer is what kind of performance can we expect from the Intel SoC? Let's move on to the benchmarks.
