For those selecting a NAS system with support for multiple RAID levels, the choice often comes down to rack-mounted solutions or large devices with 3.5-inch hard drives. At Computex, QNAP introduced an alternative. Their new product, which has yet to receive an official name, can accommodate ten drives in a chassis typically designed for just three 3.5-inch disks.

This system primarily features eight 2.5-inch bays, which can house either hard drives or SSDs. Additionally, there are two smaller bays, a rare feature for devices in this class.

According to QNAP, with special adapters, it’s possible to connect two 2280-format SSDs for M.2. SSDs in the 22110 format, as well as more compact SSDs, are likely not supported. The 2280 format is widely used, giving users a broad selection of drives. The adapters also comply with the E1.S SSD Blade standard, which explains the incompatibility with 22110 SSDs: the Blade standard is only slightly longer than these SSDs. Two high-performance server SSDs can also be installed directly.

The E1.S format has not yet gained widespread adoption in the consumer market, making compatible SSDs relatively expensive. This NAS system is probably not optimized for this format, but it is already prepared for its potential future popularity.

The device’s rear panel features an SFF-8088 connector for mini-SAS cables, allowing for the integration of additional drives. There are also two 10GbE RJ45 ports, several USB ports, and HDMI. The system is powered by an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor, paired with at least 32 GB of RAM, which can be expanded up to 64 GB if needed.

The price of the new QNAP NAS system has not yet been announced. The device is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2026.