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.
And the two NASes are completely different classes of product. The TVS-h474 (also available in a 674 and 874 config runs as 12th generation i3 has maximum memory of 64 Gig, 2 PCIe slots, etc.
The TS-664 runs a Celeron CPU, has 16 Gig max memory, 1 PCIe slot, etc.
The TS-664 is $800.
The TVS-h474 is $1300.
Over 50% higher in price. So you can’t compare these. One is a consumer device. The other is an SMB/Prosumer device.
The drive tray design used in our current Tower NAS models has been fully validated as part of the overall system and meets the platform’s requirements for reliability, stability, and storage performance.
Based on our qualification and validation testing, we have not observed any measurable impact on system performance, system stability, or data integrity related to the drive tray design.
Reliable operation depends on the overall platform design, including factors such as chassis structure, vibration management, airflow, and proper drive installation. The drive tray is one component within that complete design.
We understand that drive tray design can also influence the overall user experience and personal preferences. Feedback like yours is valuable, and we will continue to take community input into consideration when evaluating future product designs.
Regarding your question about the three mounting holes on the bottom of the tray, the snap-on side rails are sufficient for normal installation and operation when used according to the Quick Installation Guide (QIG).
The bottom screw holes are provided as an additional mounting option. For users who prefer extra fastening, or in situations where the NAS may be transported with drives installed, using screws can help secure the drives more firmly during transport.
Please refer to the QIG for the recommended installation method for your specific model.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your continued support of QNAP.
Hi Jason and thank you. I appreciate the thoughts and the testing that went into the design validation & testing that QNAP went through. In my most recent QNAP acquisition, a TS-664, one of the drive trays had a “bent” or misformed locking tab that would not lock the drive into it’s respecting bay. Yes, the slide-on smoked cover that is used to cover the drive bays after the disks are installed works to help insure the drives don’t move during use so that’s not an issue. To resolve that issue, I used a heat gun on a low setting and gently reformed the locking tab to be more secure.
The other point I had was about the design of the power supply on this particular NAS. The power is delivered by an umbilical cord via a non-locking 4-pin DIN-type connector. My experience with this type of connector is mixed, at best, and have had connections like that work loose over time. I don’t deny that the power supply itself is adequate and reliable but that particular type of connector is not, in my opinion, how things should be done even on a consumer-grade NAS like this.
Again, thanks for listening and thanks for taking the time to address my concerns!
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and feedback. We genuinely appreciate the detailed observations you’ve provided throughout this discussion.
We understand your concerns regarding the external power connector, and we’ll make sure your comments are shared with the R&D and product teams for consideration in future designs. Feedback from long-time NAS users like yourself helps us better understand how products are used in real-world environments and where opportunities for improvement may exist.
Thank you again for the constructive discussion and for your continued support of QNAP.
It’s a NAS that is on its way back for a second RMA. It wouldn’t boot with the ram in slot one and the sent back a refurbed unit with a broken ram locking clip in slot 2 so back it went. As they didn’t want the disk caddies with the RMAs I chose not to worry about it.
I am currently waiting for parts for it, a new mobo I suspect, to come in from Taiwan.