LincStation N2 offers smart storage for small businesses

The LincStation N2 is a new network-attached storage (NAS) device and media server designed for small businesses. With six bays for storage drives, it allows for a combination of M.2 and SATA drives. The device comes with a one-year license for Unraid, enabling users to install various applications, including those for file management and media streaming. The N2 is compact and easy to set up. Users can install the drives, connect to a network, and configure the system using Unraid OS. The latest firmware update has made setup even simpler by allowing users to create storage pools instead of dealing with complex parity systems. The N2 boasts improved performance with its upgraded 10Gbps LAN port, providing faster data transfer rates compared to its predecessor. During testing, it effectively served media files for viewing and editing. Currently, the LincStation N2 is available for pre-order on Kickstarter. It is priced at $309 for early backers, rising to $439 later. Key specifications include a powerful Intel Alder Lake-N100 CPU, 16GB of memory, and the capacity to hold up to 48TB of data. The design of the N2 remains sleek and similar to the previous model. It features a user-friendly interface for easy drive management and can serve as a media server with applications like Plex. Overall, the LincStation N2 is recommended for small businesses looking for cost-effective storage and media management solutions. However, it may struggle with high demand from multiple users, making it better suited for smaller teams and home use.