Introduction
Thecus Network Attached Storage
Today we review the Thecus W4000+,- a NAS unit that doesn't run Linux for a change. No Sir, its operating system is Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Essentials (WSS). Armed with WSS you receive a NAS unit that really is a complete server with expensive software. You navigate in a Windows environment and while using all the luxurious options and features that come along with it.
The Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Essentials enabled NAS unit we received is in fact the W4000+ model, the initial models all came with 2 GB of RAM memory, combined with a Windows OS that is a little on the shy side. The 4000+ (the + is the difference) is a model that is factory equipped with 4 GB or SODIMM RAM memory, giving this product the breathing space it needs.
A NAS unit armed with a smooth software DNA and priced competitive against the big guns in the industry like Qnap, Synology, Netgear and Asustor. We went blank into this review as we never had tested this brand before, but with very nice hardware and armed with WSS the W4000+ is not only a fast file server, it's also very configurable with applications for streaming and downloading as well, this is a full blown server you can place inside your office or use it to feed all your PCs and streaming devices. Being WSS based, this NAS unit does cater more towards a SOHO (small office home office) environment, and likely appeals a little less to the more regular end-user. However WSS offers just so much, from stability, to security and is easily patched by windows update. It is a 64-bit operating system that runs and looks like Windows 8. This means you can also install all kinds of application like a FTP FileZilla server or you favorite torrent and usenet applications.
But moreover again, this is a SOHO product for file-sharing, access, backups, cloud storage, Active Directory options, remote access and so on. The Thecus W4000+ is priced at roughly 500 USD / 549 EURO for the 4GB version. The unit is housing an intel Atom D2701 dual-core processor that runs at 2.13 MHz. it comes with DSUB and a HDMI monitor connector, USB 3.0 ports and two Gigabit Ethernet jacks, that can be teamed. Considering that Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Essentials all by itself costs 399 USD as a software package, you should immediately notice the true value of this offering. So why should you purchase a NAS ? While the dynamics have changed rapidly over the past few years, our demand for massive volume storage capacity has increased, with the help of WiFi and Gigabit Ethernet in general in our homes we started evolving in our lifestyle and thus requirements. It's exactly in the lifestyle segments where the latest NAS units come in. NAS units are really small handy servers that not only function as storage devices, they are getting more functionality combined with ease of use as well. With prices going down, and everybody having high-speed LAN Ethernet at home the market is slowly adapting and targeting NAS devices at a hard to convince and very money attentive consumer. Today's tested model Thecus W4000+ NAS unit has four swappable HDD bays, RAID functionality, Gigabit Ethernet jacks, USB (2.0/3.0) and then a professional software suite that blows away the competition value wise.
So yes, have a peek and then lets head into the review.
