UGREEN NAS SERIES - SHOULD YOU BUY?

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses the evolution of the UG Green NAS series, highlighting improvements in hardware, software, and overall user experience since its crowdfunding launch. Key positives include enhanced system performance, better software design, and flexible compatibility with third-party operating systems. However, security features, such as the absence of two-factor authentication, remain a concern. The video also points out limitations in global availability and cloud sync support. With Black Friday sales approaching, the creator offers insights into current discounts and emphasizes the need for further software development to match the impressive hardware.

Takeaways

• 😀 UG Green's NAS devices have improved significantly since their crowdfunding launch, with notable upgrades to both hardware and software.
• 🖥️ The hardware offers strong specs, including 10-core i5 processors, dual 10GbE ports, Gen 4 SSD bays, and Thunderbolt/USB Type 4 support, making it a competitive choice for the price.
• ⚙️ The software has seen improvements, such as a sharper UI, more responsive resource monitor, and smoother navigation across applications.
• 🛠️ The NAS system supports third-party OS installations like OMV and Unraid, which doesn't void the warranty—a unique feature among NAS brands.
• 🔒 The security manager needs improvements. It lacks features like two-factor authentication (2FA) and advanced malware protection, and local network security remains limited.
• ❌ There's still no support for iSCSI targets, a feature commonly available in other NAS systems, limiting its appeal for those needing raw, pure storage solutions.
• ☁️ The backup tools are better but still limited. Currently, only OneDrive is fully supported for cloud backup, while Google Drive integration is missing.
• 🌍 Availability is restricted, with UG Green NAS devices primarily available in the US and Germany, making it harder for customers in other regions to purchase.
• 💡 The software updates have addressed many previous issues, but there's still work to do, especially in security and third-party cloud integration.
• 💸 During Black Friday, UG Green NAS devices will be discounted, with up to $139 off select models, making it a good time to buy if you're in the right region.
• ⚠️ Despite great hardware, the software still requires refinement. If you need advanced features or robust security, UG Green's NAS may not yet be the perfect fit.

Q & A

What are the key improvements UG Green has made to their NAS software since its launch?

UG Green has improved the software's responsiveness, making the control panel snappier and enhancing the resource monitor. They also added a more detailed container manager and a custom virtual machine manager, which is a step up from using third-party software like VirtualBox.

How does UG Green’s hardware compare to other NAS devices on the market in late 2024?

UG Green’s hardware remains highly competitive, offering a 10-core Intel i5 processor, dual 10GbE ports, Gen 4 SSD support, and Thunderbolt connectivity at a very reasonable price. In November 2024, few other NAS brands offer similar hardware at this price point.

Can you install third-party operating systems on UG Green NAS devices?

Yes, UG Green allows users to install third-party operating systems such as OMV (OpenMediaVault) or Unraid without voiding the hardware warranty. This provides flexibility for more experienced users who prefer different software environments.

What is UG Green’s stance on security, and what improvements are needed?

UG Green’s security manager includes virus and malware scanning, but it lacks advanced security features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and stronger protection against ransomware. These areas need further improvement to make UG Green NAS more secure for local and remote use.

How does UG Green handle cloud sync and backup?

Currently, UG Green supports cloud sync with OneDrive, but lacks support for other major cloud providers like Google Drive. The backup and synchronization tools have improved, but there are still gaps in features such as backup filters and rules.

Are there any major hardware features missing from UG Green’s NAS devices?

Yes, UG Green NAS devices currently lack support for iSCSI targets and LUNs, which are important for users needing raw storage or to integrate the NAS with other systems that don't support traditional network drives.

How accessible are UG Green NAS devices globally?

UG Green NAS devices are primarily available in the US and Germany, with limited availability in other regions like the UK. Despite the company’s global presence with other products, the NAS devices have a relatively restricted geographic reach.

What models are being offered at a discount during Black Friday 2024?

During Black Friday 2024, three UG Green NAS models are on sale: the DX4800 Plus (Pentium model) is discounted by $139, the DX2800 (2-bay with the M100 CPU) is $79 off, and the non-Plus DX4800 is $119 off.

What kind of warranty does UG Green offer for their NAS devices?

UG Green offers a three-year hardware warranty for their NAS devices, which allows users to install third-party operating systems without voiding the warranty, providing added flexibility.

How has UG Green responded to user feedback since its crowdfunding campaign?

UG Green has successfully delivered the hardware and software features promised during the crowdfunding campaign, and they have made significant improvements to the software, including a more user-friendly interface, better resource monitoring, and additional applications like AI-powered photo recognition.