MINISFORUM Unveils Two New NAS Models: Up to 7 SSDs and Intel Panther Lake
MINISFORUM, known for compact Mini PCs, expanded into network-attached storage (NAS) last year with the MINISFORUM N5 Pro. Now the company is launching two new models that push performance and capacity further. These upcoming devices support up to 7 SSDs and are powered by Intel's next-generation Panther Lake processors, promising faster data access and greater energy efficiency. Below, we answer key questions about the latest NAS lineup from MINISFORUM.
1. What are the two new NAS models from MINISFORUM?
MINISFORUM has not officially named the two new models yet, but they are expected to build upon the success of the N5 Pro. One model likely targets budget-conscious users seeking a cost-effective storage solution, while the other aims at power users needing top-tier performance. Both share the core features of supporting up to 7 SSDs and Intel Panther Lake processors. The exact model numbers and price tiers will be revealed closer to launch, but early indications suggest a focus on versatility and expandability.
2. How many SSDs do the new NAS devices support?
The new MINISFORUM NAS devices can hold up to 7 SSDs. This is a significant increase over many consumer NAS units, which typically cap at 4 or 5 drives. Supporting 7 SSDs allows for larger total storage capacities (over 70 TB with current 10 TB SSDs) and advanced RAID configurations like RAID 5, 6, or 10 for redundancy and performance. The drives are likely M.2 NVMe SSDs, enabling lightning-fast read/write speeds. This makes the devices suitable for demanding tasks such as 4K video editing, virtual machine storage, or large database hosting.
3. What processor powers these new NAS devices?
Each new MINISFORUM NAS is equipped with an Intel Panther Lake processor. Panther Lake is Intel's upcoming architecture, designed to deliver a major leap in performance per watt compared to previous generations (like Alder Lake or Raptor Lake). This means the NAS can handle multiple simultaneous streams, file transfers, and applications (such as Plex transcoding or Docker containers) without bottlenecking. The integrated GPU also supports hardware acceleration for media tasks, making the NAS a versatile home server.
4. How do the new models compare to the MINISFORUM N5 Pro?
The existing MINISFORUM N5 Pro is a capable NAS but supports fewer SSDs (likely 5 or 6) and uses older Intel processors (e.g., Alder Lake). The new models improve on two fronts: storage capacity (7 SSDs instead of 5–6) and processing power (Panther Lake vs. older chips). Additionally, the new devices may feature faster networking (10GbE or Thunderbolt), enhanced cooling, and updated software support. The N5 Pro remains a solid choice for users who need robust performance today, but the upcoming models future-proof your setup.
5. Who are these NAS devices designed for?
MINISFORUM targets a broad audience with its two-tier strategy. The more affordable model appeals to home users and small business owners who need a reliable central storage for backups, media streaming, and file sharing. The high-end model suits tech enthusiasts, content creators, and home lab operators who require maximum I/O performance for virtualization, high-speed editing, or running heavy applications. Both benefit from the efficiency of Panther Lake, keeping power consumption and noise low.
6. When will these new NAS devices be available and at what price?
MINISFORUM has not announced exact release dates or pricing yet. Based on past launches, the new NAS models are expected to arrive in late 2025 or early 2026. Pricing will likely start around $500 for the entry-level model (without drives) and exceed $1000 for the premium version, considering the high-end components. Pre-order information may surface at events like CES or Computex. For the latest updates, we recommend following MINISFORUM's official website and newsletters.
7. What other features can we expect?
Beyond SSDs and the Panther Lake processor, the new NAS devices may include 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and support for ECC memory for data integrity. The chassis design is likely compact, similar to the N5 Pro, but with improved airflow for 7 SSDs. Software-wise, MINISFORUM might offer a custom NAS OS or support popular options like TrueNAS, Unraid, or Proxmox. These features would make the devices ideal for hybrid workloads ranging from Plex servers to private cloud storage.