I’ve been using QNAP equipment for years now, probably over a decade, and have noticed some subtle and not-so-subtle changes to their equipment and I’ll continue to do so until it’s time for me to “check out”.
The thing that brought me here to post about it today is that of the all-plastic disk caddies that have recently replaced the mostly-metal ones from the past. I noticed that the new style of caddy are black plastic with snap in and out pieces on the rails that have plastic tabs designed to locate the disk that is being installed. I also noticed, however, that for the 3 1/2-inch disks at least, there are three holes for screws on the bottom for attaching the disk with screws. Are these holes intended to be used in addition to the snap in side rails or in lieu of them? For me, I’ve decided to use both the rails and the three screws.
Also, other than my most recent acquisition of a TVS-h474, most of the lower end NAS equipment are now made of mostly plastic and not the solid metal enclosures of the days of the TS-459s, TS-879s, TS-831Xs and the TS-1685 that remains my workhouse today. Also, some of the new NAS systems have external power supplies that connect to the NAS via an umbilical like the TS-664 that I’ve got.
I am not knocking the quality of performance of the new stuff but just wondering what drives these “perceived” changes in quality.
1.) Plastic is cheaper than metal
2.) Plastic is easily molded while metal has to be formed/stamped/machined, etc.
3.) Plastic is lighter weight. This greatly affects shipping costs - consider the costs QNAP incurs shipping product to the world from Taiwan.
Plastic does not mean less quality. In fact, I would rather have plastic drive caddies than metal ones because plastic is non-conductive. As metal slides on metal (ie: caddy in the chassis), little bits of metal get “polished” off and that metal “dust” can potentially cause problems in the tight chassis. You don’t need screws. Just attach the snap on pieces and your drive sits quite securely. It is quite nice.
We’ve already discussed power supplies in another thread. Bottom line: External power supplies are lower cost, allow for smaller, lighter housings and easier replacement should the supply fail.
When you are trying to buy a device for $500 or $600 with the capability of what the QNAP offers, something has to give.
If you want more metal, then buy a higher end NAS. Spend the money, get a higher end NAS and move on.
Yes, cost is the great driver these days and it’s good to know another point of view regarding the pros and cons of these changes.
I prefer metal to plastic in most, if not all, applications including computer hardware if the option is there.. Although not much difference in price, the TVS-h474 four bay NAS is light years ahead of the TS-664 6-bay NAS in my perception of quality and I do prefer internal power supplies if at all possible.