QNAP vs Asustor

[Enquiries]

This will be my first NAS but I don't want to have to buy another one for a long time or be bleh on the performance when editing video.

I'm on the fence between a Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 3 and the QNAP TVS-h674T-i5-32G-US. My primary use case is for video editing. I pull lots of 4k footage from phones and mirrorless cameras. Also, I have decades worth of files.

My primary machine is a MacBook Pro M3, and I have 2.5Gb fiber running straight to it through a 2.5gb switch. I don't know which of these NAS to choose. Don't really plan on doing any media streaming, but who knows, maybe in the future. The QNAP seems like overkill but on the other hand could mean plenty of room to grow. The Asustor seems adequate but while I've watched tons of reviews I still don't know enough to say it's adequate.

[ed]

Given your use case, both the Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 3 and the QNAP TVS-h674T-i5-32G-US have solid strengths, but each offers different advantages:

QNAP TVS-h674T-i5-32G-US
Performance: With an Intel Core i5 and 32GB of RAM, the QNAP will handle demanding video editing tasks with ease, particularly when working with high-resolution 4K footage. This model also supports both 2.5GbE and Thunderbolt 4, which is ideal for connecting directly to your MacBook Pro and maximizing speed.
Room for Growth: With six bays and strong processing power, this NAS is future-proofed for intensive tasks, even if you add more drives or need to run virtual machines or heavier applications down the line.
Hybrid QTS and QuTS Hero: QNAP’s ZFS-based QuTS Hero OS is excellent for data integrity and snapshots, which can be beneficial for your decades’ worth of files.
Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 3
Adequate Performance: The Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 3 is powerful enough for proxy-based 4K editing and general NAS functions. It’s also a 2.5GbE-capable NAS, which aligns with your network setup, but it may not match the QNAP’s level of future-proof performance.
Budget-Friendly: This model provides good value without over-investing in more power than you might currently need. While it’s not quite as powerful as the QNAP, it’s still reliable for 4K workflows with optimized settings.
Recommendation
If you’re aiming for a setup that will last you several years and you might need more power down the line, the QNAP TVS-h674T is likely worth the investment for its performance headroom and Thunderbolt connectivity, which would be ideal for fast, direct access to your MacBook Pro.

On the other hand, if you’re confident that your editing needs won’t expand beyond 2.5GbE speeds or proxy-based workflows, the Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 3 could be a great, cost-effective choice. Both can support your business needs, but the QNAP gives you a higher ceiling for future demands.