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QNAP

QNAP FBA_TS-251 2-Bay NAS Enclosure

★★★★★4.3 (268 reviews)
USB 3.0USB 2.0

A compact 2-bay NAS with Intel power, dual Gigabit ports, and HDMI output for home and small office storage.

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Overview

The QNAP TS-251 is a two-bay network attached storage enclosure built around an Intel Celeron 2.41GHz processor and 1GB of DDR3L RAM, upgradable to 8GB. It accepts both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives at 6Gb/s speeds and connects to your network through dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, which can be configured for link aggregation or failover. Two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports provide connectivity for external drives, printers, or UPS devices, while the HDMI output allows direct media playback on a connected display.

Running QNAP's QTS 4.1 operating system, the TS-251 offers a full suite of storage, backup, and multimedia features accessible through a web browser. It supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations, real-time and offline media transcoding, and a library of installable apps for everything from surveillance station duties to Docker containers. For home users and small offices looking to centralize file storage, automate backups, and run a personal cloud, the TS-251 delivers a flexible platform in a compact desktop form factor.

Key Features

2 x 2.5?/3.5? SSD/HDD SATA 6Gb/s, Intel Celeron 2.41GHz, 1GB DDR3L RAM, 512MB DOM Flash, 2 x Gigabit RJ-45, 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, QTS 4.1 (embedded Linux)

Specifications

Brand
QNAP
Model
FBA_TS-251
Processor
Intel Celeron 2.41GHz
Memory
1GB DDR3L RAM (Expandable to 8GB)
Drive Bays
2 x 2.5"/3.5" SATA 6Gb/s HDD/SSD
Ethernet
2 x Gigabit RJ-45
USB Ports
2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0
Video Output
1 x HDMI
Operating System
QTS 4.1 (Embedded Linux)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports allow link aggregation or failover for faster, more reliable network access
  • HDMI output enables direct media playback to a TV without needing a separate streaming device
  • RAM is user-upgradable from 1GB to 8GB, extending the unit's useful lifespan
  • Intel Celeron processor provides enough power for real-time transcoding and multiple simultaneous users
  • Compact 2-bay design fits easily on a desk or shelf

👎 Cons

  • Ships with only 1GB of RAM, which may feel sluggish when running multiple apps until upgraded
  • Limited to two drive bays, capping redundant storage at a single mirrored pair
  • No 10GbE networking option for users who need higher throughput
  • Fan noise may be noticeable in a quiet home office environment

Frequently Asked Questions

The TS-251 has two drive bays that each accept 2.5" or 3.5" SATA drives, so total capacity depends on the size of the drives you install.
Yes, the unit ships with 1GB DDR3L RAM and can be expanded up to 8GB.
The HDMI output lets you connect the TS-251 directly to a TV or monitor for media playback or to access the QTS interface locally.
Yes, with its two bays you can configure RAID 0 for performance, RAID 1 for mirroring, or run each drive independently (JBOD).
It runs QNAP's QTS 4.1, an embedded Linux-based OS that provides a web-based management interface and app ecosystem.

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