Ultra-compact Unraid NAS that impresses both as redundancy and a media server.
LincStation N1: 30-second review
The LincStation N1 is a stylish NAS box built to offer a compact and flexible network storage and private cloud solution for small offices and home users. The box runs on Unraid OS, which offers both excellent data protection, scalability, and a relatively easy-to-use interface. However, if you’re new to NAS, it will take some getting used to.
LincStation has opted to go straight in with the Unraid UI, which is a good start and means there’s plenty of support out there if you need assistance getting started, although it isn’t as intuitive as some of the best NAS hard drives we’ve reviewed. The N1 is bundled with a free one-year licence for the software, this is a perpetual licence, so unless you renew, you’ll stop receiving updates to the OS after the first year. If you want to keep up to date with the Unraid OS, then at present the starter licence is $49 a year or $249 for a lifetime licence.
Inside, LincStation has ensured that the NAS box is as flexible as possible, with four M.2 2280 SSD slots split into two banks and two 2.5″ SSD ports, enabling a maximum of 48GB (40GB due to the Parity drive setup used by Unraid) of storage that you can configure as you see fit. Installation and setup of the storage through the Main section of Unraid is relatively straightforward, and with clear instructions, you should be up and running within 30 minutes, although some network knowledge is useful.
Once the NAS RAID of choice is configured, you can set up the apps for redundancy and media streaming, making it a great choice for small business setups and advanced home networks.
However, while the N1 supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, integration is limited due to Unraid OS offering limited support, meaning the only real way to utilise these features at present is through the use of a VM.
The N1 setup process might be a challenge for non-technical users, requiring knowledge of Unraid and network configurations. However, for what it offers once it is setup and working and considering the price and flexibility, including all those added functions and features with apps such as Plex it does offer excellent value for money and a superb set of features. LincStation N1: Price & availability
The LincStation N1 is available for purchase directly from the LincStation website and select online retailers for approximately $399.
Score: 4/5LincStation N1: Design & build
The LincStation N1 is a compact NAS with a stylish industrial design, far removed from the usual utilitarian NAS box style. The mix of black and silver aluminum casing gives it a premium look and feel, and compared with other NAS systems that offer the same amount of internal storage space, it manages to maintain an incredibly small footprint and weight that makes it easy to fit into tight spaces or on a desktop.
The N1 features a 6-bay design that offers a good balance between storage and compactness. Through the two quick-access covers on the base are two bays offering connectors for up to four 8TB NVMe M.2 2280 SSDs, with a further two slots for SATA SSDs, again with a maximum capacity of 8TB, taking the total maximum storage up to 48TB, although this reduces to 40TB due to the Parity drive system that Unraid OS utilises.
Considering the compact size at 210 x 152 x 38mm and a fully-loaded weight of 962g, the design still manages to optimise airflow with a large, quiet fan located at the rear. It’s also important to note that the NAS comes with heat sinks for the NVMe drives that should be stuck in place to help with heat dissipation. The rear ports are well spaced out, providing easy access to essential connections, while on the front, the flip-down section, which gives you access to the two 2.5-inch drives, also features a USB 3.2 port.
Design: 4/5LincStation N1: Features
The LincStation N1 has been designed as a compact and flexible NAS system for small businesses as well as homes. It features the Unraid operating system, which enables data redundancy with a custom array format, protecting against drive failures while maintaining high read/write speeds, making it ideal for media streaming as well as the main use as storage.
The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.
