NewerTech intros Mac mini-lovin' miniStack NAS

As if there weren't enough options to cram underneath your Mac mini, here's yet another. NewerTech is introducing its miniStack NAS enclosure, which can be pre-configured with as much as 750GB of storage, and should fit quite well above or below your mini. The box sports Ethernet / USB 2.0 ports, PC and Mac support, Ximeta's NDAS 2011 network chipset, LED status lights, auto power on / off, and "intelligent thermal monitoring for minimal fan power consumption." For those interested in adding their own HDD, the device itself can be snagged for $79.99, while ordering with a hard drive already included will run you up to $329.99 depending on capacity.

[Jeff @ Aug 14th 2007 4:29PM]

I'm in the market for a NAS device, actually, so if anyone can point out a compelling reason why I shouldn't pick up this one, I'd love to know. Otherwise, it sure looks nice to me. I even have a Mac Mini I could stack on top of it. ;)

[paragraph @ Aug 14th 2007 5:07PM]

for one, it's 10/100, no Gigabit here, and for a NAS thats pretty much required now-a-days, even if you only have a 10/100 card now, if you upgrade to Gigabit your not going to see any better rates, so unless you NEED something that looks like a mac mini, and you can't find one with Gigabit, i'd say it's ok.

But i'd really grab one with gigabit.

[craig @ Aug 14th 2007 4:58PM]

The first reason is that there's absolutely no reason to stack a NAS product under, or anywhere near, a mini. Second, there no reason to accept the limitations imposed by such a small NAS device. Third, no NAS sold today should be hobbled by 10/100.

If you want to stack storage under a mini, get a firewire-attach. If you, for whatever reason, need NAS then get a proper box and store it remotely. This product is dumb.

[The General @ Aug 14th 2007 5:02PM]

Maybe Jeff doesn't have a router with gigabit ethernet.

Maybe Jeff's Mac Mini doesn't have a gigabit NIC.

[paragraph @ Aug 14th 2007 5:06PM]

@craig

Well, your mostly right, but if you use your mac mini as a home server (something i would do because of the small footprint) this would be perfect for that.

However i do agree that a more practical solution would be to up the ethernet to gigabit, include a switch function and another port, add firewire. But this isn't the "how would you change" post ;)

[Jean-Michel Decombe @ Aug 14th 2007 7:43PM]

Keep in mind that this enclosure most likely has a fan and you might find it too noisy if it's stacked right next to your media center. Actually, I have the original NewerTech 750 GB miniStack and it was so noisy, and in such an annoying way, that I had to remove the fan inside, as well as the cover to make sure the heat would dissipate (of course, no stacking anything above). Maybe they've remedied that since then, don't know...

[craig @ Aug 14th 2007 7:45PM]

The General:
If there is no gigabit ethernet available that's even more reason to attach via firewire. My guess is that FW400 would be at least 4x faster than a NAS attached via 100Mb Ethernet.

Jeff:
If the mini is being used a remote server, then it's local storage should be firewire attached. A NAS serves files directly to clients, so adding the mini as a server would make performance even slower.

The purpose of using a NAS is to be able to share files on a network between multiple machines. If you only have one machine, such as the case is many homes or in the case of a server, direct attach storage is always a better solution because it cheaper, simpler, more managable and more reliable. The problem is, anytime you actually *want* a NAS, you want it on gigabit.

I have multiple machines in my home and would never consider a NAS product. Makes no sense.

[jwtrooper @ Aug 14th 2007 9:06PM]

This is the same as the Vantec NAS enclosures which have been out for quite awhile. Seems Vantec/NewerTech are just probably rebranding. I've seen rather poor reviews of these enclosures and their reliability. I've purchased similar vantec (from fry's) and newertech drive enclosures (OWC) and have had to return one to OWC twice and it's still unreliable (I found OWC's support very poor). I would steer clear. I'm thrilled with my LaCie though...

Here's the equivalent vantec, it also comes in white.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817392007

[jwtrooper @ Aug 14th 2007 9:11PM]

The Vantec is only $39 too... a little more reasonable if you decide to trash it.

[Phil Doule @ Mar 6th 2008 9:58AM]

I bought the miniStack NAS, being a big Mac fan. I liked the look and the network storage option. It looks like a Mac mini and the marketing materials have Macs all over em. But a major limitation is that only one Mac can access at a time! I am furious. Such a limitation makes it useless as network storage in my opinion. I strongly advise against purchase.

[LinuxIdiot @ Aug 14th 2007 4:35PM]

I too am also in the market for one. I find ones I like, but always run into complaints concerning NAS solutions. Hopefully this one will work (waiting for some reviews), such as being able to ftp in rather than have to hook it up to a computer or requiring to have software installed to access the drive!

[Brian Peat @ Aug 14th 2007 4:37PM]

If the plan was to have it stacked under a mini, it might have been a good idea to add another gigabit port so you could use it as a mini gigabit hub and not have to run a second ethernet cable to your desk.

[Ari @ Aug 14th 2007 4:42PM]

Hmm... do you think this NAS offers far better performance than a USB drive connected to an Airport Extreme?

I have the AE, but if this does the job far better, it could be a addition.

[Bill @ Aug 14th 2007 4:42PM]

The price seems reasonable for what you get, though I wish that usb port was for daisy-chaining or using it as a print server, too. Some specs to keep in mind:

* Up to 750GB of storage from single 3.5" PATA hard drive*

* FAT32/NTFS/HFS+ file formats**

So no SATA yet and it does support NTFS for Windows users, as well as the other common file systems out there. I'm glad to see there is no proprietary file system.

Looking forward to the reviews and benchmarks.

[Jonathan Greene @ Aug 14th 2007 4:44PM]

I have a dead Ximeta here ... no chance I'm buying another.

[treacherous @ Aug 14th 2007 4:52PM]

If only it could be an HD DVR...

[Devin Bryant @ Aug 14th 2007 4:57PM]

"should fit quite well above or below your mini."
You do NOT put hard drives, or any other hardware, on top of your mini unless you want it to fry.

Also, where's the gigabit? Get with the times NewerTech!

[tiuk @ Aug 14th 2007 5:21PM]

I've love to see a picture of a Mini with every possible add-on device stacked under it.

[Kevin @ Aug 14th 2007 5:25PM]

I think this qualifies more as airport extreme lovin' than mac mini lovin'

[Error404 @ Aug 14th 2007 6:29PM]

STAY AWAY FROM THIS!!

This just the Vantec Nexstar LX. Go ahead and google "Nexstar LX NAS corrupt", and you'll see why.

I've had nothing but trouble with the NAS function with this enclosure.

1) After continuous read/write for 24hrs using the NAS (not USB), the chipset would freeze and you can't perform any I/O functions unless you let it cool and reboot.

2) Most importantly, writing a large amount of data using the NAS can cause data corruption. Not only that, but in some instances, the file name turns into some weird not standard character, and prevents you from deleting it, etc. The only way I got read of the corrupted data was by formatting the whole partition.

Right now, I'm only using this thing as a USB enclosure, which seems to work fine without the hardware failure and data corruption. But who needs to pay $80 bucks just for an USB 2.0 HDD enclosure?!

[craig @ Aug 14th 2007 7:52PM]

Those who want one shaped like a mini? Of course, they could get that with firewire and hubs if they gave up the useless NAS features.

I honestly don't understand why anyone would trust or even bother with home NAS products such as this. They offer the end user nothing they can't get with USB or Firewire external drives, they cost more, they are slower, and I wouldn't trust one with any of my data. I would much rather trust my filesystem because I know it's thoroughly tested.

[John @ Aug 14th 2007 6:56PM]

Chipset is Ximeta NDAS 2011, that's reason enough not to buy it.

[johnzilla @ Aug 14th 2007 7:11PM]

I don't see anything positive here. If you're going to stack something under or over your mini, at least get the version that has extra Firewire and USB ports.

OS X is perfectly capable of sharing files and disk space over the network without the need for a dedicated device.

[Jeff @ Aug 15th 2007 1:28AM]

I don't have to stack it under the Mac Mini. I merely said that I happen to have a Mac Mini which I could put on top of it, if I wanted. It was meant in jest. I do want/need a NAS device, though. I merely thought, hey, this one looks as good as any, but several responses have let me see the light. Thanks.

[igroovela @ Aug 15th 2007 2:37AM]

i wanna move my itunes library from my powerbook into an external hd to free up space. i have the Apple Airport Extreme Base Station (not the new gigabit flavor!) and was thinking of attaching a usb drive to it to make it available wirelessy from my PB but i want to make sure that i can play my tunes w/o hiccups...would this be a better solution than getting just a regular external usb hd?

[Gordy @ Aug 15th 2007 1:05PM]

...and it's fugly.

[GrantD @ Aug 15th 2007 1:37PM]

NewerTech introduced the miniStack line of storage solutions for FireWire/USB 2.5 years ago. This enclosure design style is imitated, but that in no way makes the imitations equal to the original.

miniStack NAS uses the Ximeta NDAS 2011 based bridge interface which is fast, secure, and RELIABLE. This is NewerTech's first entry into the NAS market and it's intended for the typical home wireless network...running at a speed of 74Mbit via 802.11n so well within the performance that 100Mbit provides. The majority of the home network market doesn't have Gigabit networks, regardless if built into the computers on the network, because of the higher cost for hubs/switches/cards and again because of the preference for wireless which is unable to take advantage of the 1000Mbit speed.

Thus, to compare miniStack NAS to the other product, which is just a basic NAS solution (which apparently has problems), as well as to a Gigabit solution is really not an accurate comparison.

Check out the specifications on the miniStack NAS. You'll see that the only thing it shares with any product are features from time-tested miniStack versions that have made it a proven, award-winning line.

Grant Dahlke
Marketing Manager
Newer Technology, Inc.

[jwtrooper @ Aug 15th 2007 1:52PM]

Hmm, is that why my NewerTech USB/Firewire enclosure still doesn't work right after being replaced and that OWC has so many refurbs?

And if Vantec is an 'immitator' how come it was out first (and is nearly identical).

[Anthony @ Aug 15th 2007 2:18PM]

NDAS is certainly a limitation- only one Mac user can write at a time, 20 PC users, the more there are, the slower it goes, only 10/100 ugh. You'd be better off with an Airport Extreme (with three Gigabit ports) and any fast USB hard drive.

More thoughts on NAS versus SAN here:
http://ieba.wordpress.com/2007/08/15/nas-v-san-for-mac

[Podaman @ Aug 27th 2007 4:12AM]

nice article.

sounds like what i'm looking for doesn't exist yet...

all i want is a 2-Bay Raid 1 external 3.5" hd enclosure with 3 possible connections: ethernet, esata, and usb. (esata and usb for direct connection, not expansion)

esata and usb should be able to work simultaneously with ethernet.

should not have to install special drivers to access.

need the option for esata for fast/large file transfers and entire system backups.

ethernet for small file work and remote streaming with wireless laptop.

you would think something like this would exist...

[Bee Hatch @ Aug 15th 2007 4:51PM]

This wont play Doom.

[GrantD @ Aug 15th 2007 5:27PM]

jwtrooper:

The Vantec NAS solution did come out before miniStack NAS, but certainly not out in that enclosure prior to the first miniStack solution introduced in 2005. And the Vantec solution certainly is not the same as our NDAS powered solution.

NewerTech’s miniStack FW/USB solutions have been reviewed by dozens of independent publications. It has received consistently favorable reviews resulting in numerous Editor’s Choice and ‘Product of the Year’ awards. Combine that with the fact that we've shipped tens of thousands of units and it's pretty fair to say this has been well-received by the general public.

With that volume, there's bound to be a few returns for whatever reason which becomes an open box/refurb unit. In checking our distributor's website today, www.macsales.com, there isn't one miniStack listed under their Used/Demo page. Even Apple's outstanding products can be found as refurbished products in a specials section on their site!

The miniStack line uses only the highest quality components available and is backed by a full warranty from NewerTech. If you have had any technical problem with your unit, feel free to contact us at http://helpcenter.newertech.com/ via the newertech website, reference Engadget, and I will personally make sure you have a miniStack that operates as it should.

Grant Dahlke
Marketing Manager
Newer Technology, Inc.

[jwtrooper @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:43PM]

Thanks Grant... I get back ANOTHER BROKEN REFURB when, per you, there were no refurbs available. I've now doubled my cost on this enclosure after 3 returns and still have a broken enclosure. Newertech and OWC are on the top of my list of companies never to do business with again.

[vipermage @ Aug 27th 2007 10:48PM]

What about long filenames. Would it allow long filenames from a Mac using NTFS?