Introduction
Are you looking for a NAS device that you can use for all your storage, media, and network needs? Do you want a device that is fast, reliable, secure, and easy to use? Then the QNAP TS-464 and TS-664 might be for you. These two NAS devices are the latest models of the QNAP Turbo NAS series, which is known for its high quality and functionality. They have a sleek design, a powerful hardware, and a user-friendly software. They also offer a wide range of applications that you can install and use as you wish. Whether you want a NAS for home use, for your small business, or for your hobby project, the QNAP TS-464 and TS-664 can meet all your requirements. In this review, we will tell you everything you need to know about these two NAS devices, from their specifications to their performance. Read on to find out if these NAS servers are the right choice for you.
Specifications
• The QNAP TS-464 has the following specifications:
• CPU: Intel Celeron N5095 4-core/4-thread processor, burst up to 2.9 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3L (expandable up to 16 GB)
• Drive bays: 4
• Maximum storage capacity: 64 TB (16 TB x 4)
• LAN ports: 2 x Gigabit RJ-45
• USB ports: 3 x USB 3.0 (front x1, rear x2)
• HDMI port: 1 x HDMI v1.4b, up to 3840 x 2160, 30 Hz
• Speaker: Built-in, mono
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 169 x 160 x 219 mm
• Weight (net): 3 kg
The QNAP TS-664 has the following specifications:
• CPU: Intel Celeron N5095 4-core/4-thread processor, burst up to 2.9 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3L (expandable up to 16 GB)
• Drive bays: 6
• Maximum storage capacity: 96 TB (16 TB x 6)
• LAN ports: 2 x Gigabit RJ-45
• USB ports: 3 x USB 3.0 (front x1, rear x2)
• HDMI port: 1 x HDMI v1.4b, up to 3840 x 2160, 30 Hz
• Speaker: Built-in, mono
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 169 x 235 x 226 mm
• Weight (net): 4.56 kg
As you can see, the TS-464 and TS-664 are quite similar in terms of specifications, except for the number of drive bays and the maximum storage capacity. Both devices have a powerful processor that is capable of performing multiple tasks simultaneously and transcoding videos in high resolution. They also have enough RAM memory that you can expand if you need more. They also have an HDMI port that allows you to connect them to a TV or monitor and use them as a media player. They also have a built-in speaker that you can use for audio feedback or playing music.
These two NAS servers are certainly not the cheapest on the market. The TS-464 has a suggested retail price of around €750 and the TS-664 has a suggested retail price of about €900 You might be able to fint a cheaper NAS, but then you probably compromise on the 2.5GbE connectivity, the Intel CPU, and other useful premium features that these devices offer. You have to weigh for yourself whether you are willing to pay more for more quality and functionality.
Unboxing
The TS-464 and TS-664 come in a sturdy cardboard box with the QNAP logo and a picture of the device on the front. On the sides, you will find information about the specifications, the features, and the contents of the box. When you open the box, you will see the following:
• The NAS itself, wrapped in a plastic bag and protected by foam.
• A power cord and a power adapter.
• Two 2.5GbE ethernet cables.
• A quick start guide and a warranty card.
• A bag with screws for securing the hard drives or SSDs.
• A remote control for the HDMI function (only with the TS-664).
To install the NAS, you first need to remove the drive trays from the device by pressing the locking buttons. Then you need to place the hard drives or SSDs that you want to use in the drive trays and secure them with the included screws. Then you need to slide the drive trays back into the device and lock them. Then you need to connect the NAS to a power outlet with the power cord and the power adapter, and to a router or switch with an ethernet cable. You can also connect a TV or monitor to the HDMI port if you want. Finally, you need to turn on the NAS with the power button on the front.
The TS-464 and TS-664 have a sleek and compact design, with a black metal casing and a glossy plastic front. On the front, you will also find a status LED, a USB 3.0 port, a copy button, a power button, and the drive trays. On the rear, you will find the fan, the power connector, the LAN ports, the USB 3.0 ports, the HDMI port, the speaker, and a Kensington lock. On the sides, you will find the QNAP logo and a grille for airflow. On the bottom, you will find four rubber feet and two M.2 slots that are covered by a metal plate. You can remove the plate to install M.2 SSDs for caching or storage.
The NAS is quite light and easy to move, but also sturdy and durable. The drive trays are made of plastic, but they fit well in the device and are easy to remove and replace. The remote control that comes with the TS-664 is handy to control the NAS when you use it as a media player. The remote control has buttons for adjusting the volume, playing/pausing, fast-forwarding/rewinding, menu, back, and select.
For these nasses, I use the Toshiba MG08 16TB drives, and they work … amazingly! Besides that I use Kingston 960GB DC500R SSD’s – for example to host my applications.
Both the QNAP TS-664 and the TS-464 have the possibility to expand the memory.
We also unbox the 664, of course!
Software
The QNAP TS-464 and TS-664 run on QTS, the operating system of QNAP that is specially designed for NAS devices. QTS is a user-friendly and intuitive interface that you can access via a web browser or a mobile app. QTS gives you access to all the features and settings of the NAS, such as managing the storage space, setting up users and permissions, configuring network and security options, updating the firmware, and much more.
QTS also has an app center, where you can find hundreds of apps that you can install and use on the NAS. These apps range from file management, backup, synchronization, cloud, multimedia, virtualization, surveillance, web server, mail server, and much more. You can also install third-party apps or develop your own apps with the QNAP SDK. With these apps, you can extend and customize the functionality and the possibilities of the NAS to suit your own needs.
One of the most popular apps for the NAS is Plex Media Server, which allows you to create your own media center. With Plex, you can store all your photos, videos, music, and other media on the NAS and stream them to your TV, smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can also watch online content, such as podcasts, web shows, and news. Plex organizes your media automatically and provides them with metadata, such as titles, genres, posters, subtitles, and more. Plex also supports 4K video transcoding, which lets you watch videos in high quality on any device.
Difference between the 464 and 644
The TS-646 and the TS-644 are both NAS devices from QNAP that run on QTS. They have many similarities, such as the CPU, the RAM, the LAN ports, the USB ports, the HDMI port, and the speaker. They also have the same apps and features that QTS offers.
The main differences between the TS-646 and the TS-644 are:
• The TS-646 has six drive bays, while the TS-644 has four drive bays. This means that the TS-646 can offer more storage space than the TS-644. The maximum storage capacity of the TS-646 is 96 TB (16 TB x 6), while that of the TS-644 is 64 TB (16 TB x 4).
• The TS-646 has a remote control, while the TS-644 does not. The remote control is handy to control the NAS when you use it as a media player via the HDMI port. You can also use an app on your smartphone to control the NAS, but some people might prefer a physical remote control.
• The TS-646 is larger and heavier than the TS-644. The dimensions of the TS-646 are 169 x 235 x 226 mm, while those of the TS-644 are 169 x 160 x 219 mm. The weight of the TS-646 is 4.56 kg, while that of the TS-644 is 3 kg. This might make a difference if you have limited space or if you need to move the NAS often.
Usage
The QNAP TS-464 and TS-664 are both easy to use, once you have installed and set them up. You can control them via a web browser or a mobile app, where you have access to all the apps and settings. You can also use the NAS as a media player via the HDMI port and the remote control (only with the TS-664).
The NAS devices are suitable for different purposes, such as:
• Storing and sharing files with other devices, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and more. You can also synchronize files between different devices or cloud services, so you always have the latest version.
• Making backups of your important files, so you don’t lose them in case of an accident or a failure. You can also make backups of your entire system, so you can easily restore it if something goes wrong.
• Streaming media to your TV, smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can also watch online content, such as podcasts, web shows, and news. You can also transcode videos to different formats and resolutions, so they are suitable for any device.
• Creating your own cloud, where you can store and access all your files from any location. You can also run your own web server, mail server, surveillance station, or virtual machine on the NAS.
• Performing various tasks, such as downloading files, scanning documents, printing photos, and more. You can also install apps that help you with your hobbies or projects, such as making music, coding, blogging, and more.
The NAS devices are also reliable and secure, because they use RAID configurations, encryption, firewall, antivirus, and more. You can also manage the access to the NAS by setting up users and permissions. For example, you can also monitor and update the NAS via the web browser or the mobile app.
Conclusion
The QNAP TS-464-4G and the QNAP TS-644 are two NAS devices that have a lot to offer for both home and business use. They have a powerful hardware, a user-friendly software, and a wide range of applications. They can help you with storing, sharing, streaming, backing up, and more of your files and media. They are also reliable and secure, thanks to the RAID configurations, encryption, firewall, antivirus, and more.
The main differences between the TS-464-4G and the TS-644 are the number of drive bays, the maximum storage capacity, the IR sensor, and the size and weight. The TS-644 has more drive bays and storage space than the TS-464-4G, but is also larger and heavier. The TS-644 also has a built-in IR sensor, while the TS-464-4G has an optional remote control. You have to decide for yourself which device suits you better, depending on your needs and preferences.
The biggest disadvantages of these NAS servers are that they come without hard drives, that they require tools to install the hard drives, that they don’t have built-in 10GbE ports, that they have limited M.2 slots for SSD caching, and that they don’t support Btrfs file system. These disadvantages can affect your experience with these NAS servers or bring extra costs. You have to take these factors into account before making a decision.
Overall, the QNAP TS-464-4G and the QNAP TS-644 are both excellent NAS devices that can offer you many benefits. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages that you have to weigh before making a decision. Hopefully this review has helped you to get a better insight into these two NAS devices and to make a good choice.
Both machines get 5 of the 5 stars, they are worth it.
