I should stop building computers - ASUSTOR Flashstor NAS
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Check out Supermicro's AMD-powered server technologies at the link below: supermicro.com Save 10% and Free Worldwide Shipping at Ridge by using offer code LINUS at ridge.com We built a crazy expensive portable NVMe video editing server earlier this year, but then ASUSTOR launched this, a substantially less expensive machine that does basically the same thing. Buy an Asustor Flashstor 6 Portable NAS: geni.us Buy Crucial 3200MHz CL22 2x16GB DDR4 RAM: geni.us Buy SABRENT Rocket 4TB NVMe M.2 SSD: geni.us Buy an Ubiquiti Switch Flex XG: geni.us Buy an Apple Macbook Pro M2 14": geni.us Buy a CalDigit External 10 GbE Adapter: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► LTX 2023 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: lmg.gg ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg ► EQUIPMENT WE USE TO FILM LTT: lmg.gg ► OUR WAN PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 ASUSTOR did it better than us 0:54 Specs and IO 2:07 Let's look inside 6:00 Adding RAM and SSDs 10:20 Testing
The video begins with Linus recounting their previous attempt at a portable mini server and contrasts it with ASUSTOR's new Flashstor NAS, highlighting the surprising value, compact size, and accessible feature set. The hosts compare the Flashstor 12 Pro to their DIY PortaNAS, noting that the ASUSTOR unit is significantly smaller, lighter, and packed with capabilities like NVMe storage, 10 GbE connectivity, USB ports, HDMI, and a built-in possible media center use case. They open the device, upgrade RAM and SSDs, and discuss internal layout, cooling, and the surprisingly simple modular design that allows for rapid upgrades. Throughout the exploration, they test basic network performance, review the operating system’s app ecosystem, and demo Plex, Docker, and other NAS-focused software, while acknowledging the CPU bottlenecks of the quad-core Celeron and the potential benefits of running alternative OSes such as TrueNAS or Unraid. The hosts debate the NAS’s value proposition for enthusiasts and professionals, weighing cost, portability, noise, and performance against bespoke DIY builds, and conclude that for certain use cases the Flashstor offers a compelling balance of size, power efficiency, and expandability. They also tease sponsor content and briefly cover larger enterprise options from Supermicro, framing the Flashstor as a highly practical, small-footprint gateway to NVMe-focused storage on a budget. Overall, the video blends hands-on hardware exploration with practical software testing to illustrate what makes the ASUSTOR Flashstor NAS unique, while keeping a light and humorous tone throughout. The closing segments emphasize the versatility of the device for home labs, media servers, and portable editing workflows, and reiterate that the real value lies in its openness for customization and its compact, portable form factor.
Topics · technology · hardware · storage · networking · consumer electronics
Questions answered
- What makes the ASUSTOR Flashstor NAS 12 Pro notably compact compared to a DIY PortaNAS?
- The Flashstor 12 Pro is described as the size of a PlayStation 2, much smaller and lighter than the DIY PortaNAS, yet it still packs NVMe storage, 10-gigabit Ethernet, HDMI and S/PDIF outputs, and upgradable RAM.
- Can you run alternative operating systems on the Flashstor NAS, and what are some examples?
- Yes, the device can run other operating systems; examples mentioned include TrueNAS and Unraid.
- What is a potential bottleneck when using the Flashstor for high throughput?
- The quad-core Celeron CPU can bottleneck performance, especially for parity calculations and CPU-intensive tasks like transcoding at higher loads.
- What are some use cases highlighted by the hosts for the Flashstor in a home lab or editing workflow?
- Potential use cases include portable video editing storage, a Plex media server, Docker host for a home lab, backup and offload of external drives, and general high-speed storage with a compact footprint.