Introduction

At Computex QNAP announced their new 3.3 firmware that put them on top of the NAS server market. The new firmware introduces several new features that make setting up and controlling QNAP systems easier than ever. The new 3.3 firmware even allows users to monitor and configure QNAP systems from iPads, iPhones and Android devices. When coupling the new technology with the existing QNAP QPKG software, it is easy to see why QNAP leads all others in NAS server software.

At CES this past January QNAP announced their new Intel Atom powered line of products. The flagship model from this new line is the rackmount TS-859U-RP, the system that we are reviewing today. The dual core Atom processor allows QNAP to run applications quickly, reduce costs and reduce the amount of power required to operate it. QNAP's flagship TS-809U-RP, an Intel Core2Duo powered system is still available, but the beefy additional hardware also comes with some additional cost. The 859U-RP is a happy medium between cost and performance and can even be used in a home or small office environment since it doesn't sound like a jet taking flight when in use.

Today we will be running the QNAP TS-859U-RP through our standard round of tests and see what it has to offer. Since we reviewed the Thecus N8800 Pro the other day, we will use it as a comparison product since both cost around the same amount, but are quite different even though they both hold eight drives.