Specifications, Availability and Pricing

When it comes down to it the heart of any NAS server is the hardware in which the software and firmware runs on. The Thecus N4200 PRO uses the Intel Atom D525, 1.8GHz processor. The original N4200 used a Core Duo processor, but the Atom brings just as much processing power with the added benefit of less power consumption. To keep the processor fed the N4200 PRO uses a massive 1GB DDR3 module; the N4200 used a DDR2 module. DDR3 allows the N4200 PRO to use less power as well.

When it comes to connectivity the Thecus N4200 PRO goes far beyond the four drive bays used to hold HDDs for the RAID array. Thecus has also included two eSATA ports for external drives and six USB 2.0 ports - four on the back and two on the front. The USB ports can be used to connect flash drives for backup purposes or peripherals like printers that can be shared across the network.

My favorite feature is the battery backup system that is built into the Thecus N4200 PRO. Thecus also makes a model called the N4200 ECO that costs less, but removes the battery backup system.

When it comes to cost the N4200 PRO isn't the lowest cost 4-drive NAS, but it is the most feature packed. Newegg currently lists the N4200 PRO at 799.99 USD. The package includes the battery backup system including the battery.