Overview
This video presents an in-depth hands-on review of the MinisForum N5 Pro NAS device, including journey highlights, pricing, hardware and software features, key differences between the Pro and standard models, and critical impressions of performance, design, and the included operating system.
Product Release Timeline & Reviewer Effort
- Device revealed and previewed at events in Berlin (IFA), Nevada (CES 2025), Shenzhen (HQ visit), and Taipei (Computex 2025).
- Reviewer traveled over 35,000 miles, spending £25,000 and 82 hours in transit for this coverage.
- No sponsorship from MinisForum; all expenses self-funded.
N5 Pro and N5 Standard: Pricing & Feature Comparison
- N5 Standard priced at $583; N5 Pro at $1,039 (both exclude memory and include a basic 64GB OS SSD).
- Main differences: Pro has a higher core/thread CPU and ECC memory support; all other hardware features nearly identical.
- Both use the same ports, drive bays, and storage configurations.
Design & Build Quality
- Metal chassis with accessible component layout, easy maintenance, and effective airflow.
- Five drive bays with strong bandwidth and cooling via multiple fans and copper pipe array.
- External 280W PSU aids replacement but generates additional heat.
- Front panel is prone to fingerprints; manufacturer is working on improved coating.
Noise & Power Consumption
- Quiet operation at idle (32–34 dBA); high fan mode reaches 48–51 dBA rear.
- Power consumption varies by configuration: idle (32–36W); SSD-only (40–41W); under six VMs (78–80W).
Connectivity & Expandability
- Includes 10GbE (AQC113) and 5GbE (RTL8126) copper ports with good throughput.
- USB4 and PCIe Gen4 x4 slot present; supports Oculink for eGPU or AI card upgrades.
- M.2 slots: two Gen4x1, one Gen4x2, supporting various SSD sizes and fast transfers.
Performance Highlights
- Gen4x2 M.2 slot achieves up to 3.3 GB/s read, 3.1 GB/s write; Gen4x1 up to 1.7/1.6 GB/s.
- Supports adapters for expanded storage (U.2 compatibility).
- Pro CPU: 12-core/24-thread AI-specialized, supports ECC; Standard: 8-core/16-thread, more PCIe lanes, but lacks ECC.
Software & OS Evaluation
- Ships with FNOS-based operating system, but supports other NAS OS choices (Unraid, TrueNAS).
- Intuitive GUI with ZFS support, snapshots, and backup features; some management features and granular control missing.
- Multimedia and AI features present but need polish; localization and language can be inconsistent.
- Lacks two-factor authentication and some security/configuration features.
Use Cases & Performance
- Overkill for media-only use; ideal for users needing high VM/multimedia throughput.
- Pro model handled 10x 4K, 4x 8K Plex streams, and multiple VMs with CPU headroom.
- Pricing may settle but Pro model is only justified for demanding users.
Decisions
- Recommend N5 Standard for most users unless ECC or higher CPU performance is essential.
- VM and extensive Plex testing to be featured in separate follow-up videos.
Action Items
- TBD – Reviewer: Publish follow-up videos on VMs, Plex/media testing, and competitor comparisons.
Recommendations / Advice
- Consider the Pro model only if you require ECC memory or advanced AI/VM workloads.
- Use third-party NAS OS for more robust, secure, and feature-complete experience.
- Standard model offers better value for typical home or small business users.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Will software updates address missing features, security, and localization issues?
- Comparison with other hybrid or rival NAS models to follow in future content.