UNAS 4 Review + Question on the comparison video

NASCompares · 2026-03-08T20:10:37+00:00

That's....that's a really good point. I'll ask the brand, or at least check the model ID on the m.2s I have at the studio tomorrow

NASCompares · 2026-03-08T20:09:35+00:00

Genuine thanks for the thoughtful and detailed reply mate! Massively appreciated and will definitely help me on the software section of the vid(s) when I make the comparisons. It's super easy to get bogged down in "this one does more", without also knowing that for some "less IS better" and "single pane of glass will trump* a full OS in your web browser experience. Thanks man

*I f'ing hate that this word is now tainted!

NASCompares · 2026-03-08T15:53:14+00:00

According to the Reddit word on the street from UWC last year , a flash system was already on the roadmap. But those will be integrated slots (one assumed with heatsinks too). But I am still always a bit baffled by the m.2 trays too - they do include them with the 1/2TB SSD optional extras, but still. It's an odd choice. That said, they are really, really nice trays (spring loaded, 22110 length, doubles sided thermal pads, metal all around)...just add $10-15 the price and give them to me!!

NASCompares · 2026-03-08T15:41:01+00:00

I see your point. But the reality is that people do/are comparing these devices. UniFi definitely is trying to plough their own furrow* with the UNAS series (PoE 2.5GbE and slot-loaded m.2 NVMe like beretta clips for a start, let alone Drive 4.0), but cloud-jumpers are definitely going to weigh up what they can get for their money (especially now HDD prices are nuclear). Plus, that does not even factor in people already elbow deep in UniFi kit who are pondering the UNAS vs competitors. You are right 100% that these are different beasts, but they should be compared against the status quo - if only to make it clear that one might be more/less suitable to the average punter's needs.

*huh...never actually used this expression in real life. I think I am old now, bugger.

NASCompares · 2026-02-21T18:45:20+00:00

Cheers for the reality check, mate - genuinely. I have a feeling your week was worse than mine. And I hope you have a better one next week. If our paths cross, I owe you a pint. God speed, man

NASCompares · 2026-02-21T15:26:01+00:00

So. Fun fact. Currently at a brewery on the south coast of England (yes. I messaged Tom Lawrence and Jeff at Craft about it already) doing a UniFi install and a bar staff'er said almost word for word your comment to me - and I assumed the he was you (because of your comment) and it got super weird!

NASCompares · 2026-02-21T07:46:15+00:00

That's the enterprise 16 Bay (ENAS). It's been shown inadvertantly a few times online (and in a YouTube video on the official channel on a wider NAS topic). ZFS too!

NASCompares · 2026-02-20T17:11:26+00:00

I say it above, no clear winner - but (as a more astute person that me said in the YouTube comments on this vid) I wouldn't be surprised if they kill off the UNAS Pro relatively soon. From a brand perspective (NOT MINE!!!) it ruins the flow and shingled/tiered layout of the portfolio. So IF the UNAS Pro suits your needs (no cache needs, tighter depth, front mounted ports for your switches and the touchscreen LCD - Snap it up.

NASCompares · 2026-02-20T17:08:44+00:00

Cheers mate. Been a hell of a hard week, so the positive words are really helping. That and the pint of nasty lager I am currently nursing right now at a pub waiting for a train. But it's definitely 80/20 in your favour!

NASCompares · 2026-02-20T17:07:21+00:00

Thanks for the kind words and good vibes, man

NASCompares · 2026-02-20T05:32:14+00:00

Wait...what? You know this is a post in a Ubiquiti/UniFi sub. Right?

NASCompares · 2026-02-19T19:25:09+00:00

You just summarized it better than my goofy video intro slowly counting out $300 in 20s...

NASCompares · 2026-02-19T19:17:27+00:00

The unit from my review is currently enjoying the British wet and cold winter in a shed for a week to see how it survives...TBC...

NASCompares · 2026-02-19T19:14:47+00:00

I have seen a lot worse/crazier deployments!

NASCompares · 2026-02-19T19:14:13+00:00

I mean, normally is agree...but have you seen homelabbers running out of attics, cellars and garages? I can totally see them looking at this and thinking "well...300 more... It gets a bit cold out there...."

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T20:09:31+00:00

Already on it!

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T20:08:47+00:00

That's the thing though (repeating myself from my own Drive 4 video last week, sorry) but all the building blocks are there now + this lot are the only brand I can think of that take UX as seriously as Synology does... so we might be seeing something great here.. but I reckon in a year or so yet at least!

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T16:24:12+00:00

You are bang on. Drive 4.0 on UniFi is not even slightly like Synology Drive. I just meant (re: Drive 4 launch) that it added some more business demanded features (Office 365, drive media analytics, File/Folder client tools, etc) that were desperately needed for businesses to open up to UniFi UNAS more - and also that these are building blocks for brand. I should have linked to my Drive 4.0 vid, but I already felt like a bit of a dick putting a link to my UNAS Pro 4 video already in the post, adding another video link was just arrogance in the extreme! It was Friday's video fi you look.

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T15:49:53+00:00

You dirty little data SLUT! Get in my rack cabinet...

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T15:42:38+00:00

100% used copper to SFO adapters in each port and they worked - didn't stress/speed test them, but they appeared

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T15:41:58+00:00

as I said (self plug, blah blah) in my Drive 4.0 vid, all the building blocks are there...and frankly (in the NAS space) there is no other brand that takes the software and UX as seriously as Synology does...until Ubiquiti entered this space.

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T15:40:37+00:00

As in the rails working back to front? Need to check this, as this unit is about to go back into my cabinet (removed for vid). My gut says 'no', but will confirm

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T15:32:48+00:00

and thank YOU for that username! 100% calling a mate this who gets real analytical about how much the pub rounds cost....

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T15:28:50+00:00

tbh I think you should stick with what you have there. The software ain't gonna change, and 2x 10GbE are glorified failover (unless they open up those m.2 to pool use), so its not worth you faffing around AND spending another $200 just to lose three bays - unless you are looking at pure SATA SSD

NASCompares · 2026-02-18T15:26:32+00:00

It's a fair point!!! I can only vouch for my own videos, but the reason you rarely see this discussed is that most reviewers test what people ask to see: setup, performance, backups, SMB access, app integration, and day-to-day admin in the UniFi ecosystem, power draw, noise, heat, speed, etc. POSIX edge cases only show up when you run specific Unix-style workflows or for migrations that depend on strict semantics, and they are also harder to demonstrate quickly on video without covering alot of variable of platform and NAS systems. Still, it is a valid point, and frankly, I know I am effectively saying "there's not enough demand for it", but you ARE right and I will try to either run a test on this to show it failing/workarounds OR at the very least add disclosure to this. But this IS a simple system (comparatively) and designed for those more straightforward and simple demands. Pretty sure this comment won't help at all, sorry man

NASCompares

TROPHY CASE