When you think of a NAS, usually you’re thinking of a larger box running anywhere from two to, I don’t know, eight hard drives, sitting off on a shelf nearby. However, in recent years, there seems to be a push to change that mantra.
With the addition of larger and larger M.2 SSDs, you might find yourself able to store your legally obtained games in a smaller, quieter, and more power-efficient package. Aiffro seems to think that was the case and sent over their K100 for review. For $299, is it worth your dollar? Or should you grab something else?
Aiffro K100 Specs
For $299, you’re paying quite a bit for something with an N100, but depending on your needs, it could be worth the cost. When it comes to alternatives, there’s plenty to choose from, but this time I have a dedicated spot for that, so we won’t get into it just yet.
- CPU: Intel N100 (4 core, 4 thread, 3.4GHz)
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 12th Gen
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR5 4800mhz (Soldered)
- Storage: 4x M.2 2280 Slots (1x Pre-Populated 256GB drive)
- I/O: 1x HDMI 1.4, 2x USB-A 2.0, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet
- Dimensions: 117 x 112 x 34mm
Setup
When it comes to the setup, you’re getting something usable as a Mini PC right out of the box. The pre-installed 256GB SSD is running Windows 11, and if you just want to have a basic PC with too much storage, all you’ll have to do is add a couple more drives, and you’re off to the races. Unfortunately, that’s not what I want.
Opening it up requires removing the four feet on the bottom. I never put them back afterwards. Once you’re in, you’ve got 3 blank SSD slots; the fourth is pre-populated unless you want to run your OS off a USB drive. Don’t.
I slapped a 4TB Crucial P310 in, sealed it back up, and installed TrueNAS onto the main SSD. After a quick go around, I’ve got a basic file server for my home network, with extra expansion for applications like ROMM if I want a web UI for my legally obtained rom collection.
One note I have is that they only include one SSD thermal pad, so if you’re planning to install more drives, please buy some thicker pads to help increase the lifespan of your drives.
Performance
If you’re looking for Windows performance, you’re looking at a completely average N100 PC. It’s going to play your indies well enough, and if you’re looking at emulation, I’d put a nice cap over on the GameCube side of things.
Unlike the last Mini PC I looked at, the AceMagic Vista V1, the Aiffro K100 surprisingly didn’t have some of the stuttering issues despite being an N100 rather than an N150. Regardless, I’d put the performance of the two quite on par.
When it comes to actual transfer speeds, it felt like I was rounding things out pretty well with a pretty consistent 110+ MB/s speed. As a fully transparent setup, my K100 is wired through a TP Link TL-SG108 back to my router. Of which I pay for 500mbps, but receive closer to 800Mbps at this time.
Connectivity has been rock solid since setting it up, and as a whole hasn’t given me any issues. And as a statement for noise? What noise. To be fair, in a 3D printed rack, noise hasn’t been much of an issue, but it’s a nice comment to add.
Competition
The K100 isn’t the only all-SSD NAS on the market. Asustor has its 6 bay unit for $650, and UGREEN has a much more powerful unit for closer to $850. But those are more powerful units. Dropping down to the N100’s level, you still have a couple of options. The GMKTec G9 is a $200’ish dollar 4-bay unit with an N150; they say “3-bays actually” downfall, and according to some, a heat problem.
On the other end, you’ve got the Beelink ME Mini. A true 6-bay SSD NAS for a starting price of $229, and a vertical orientation that allows for one fan to properly cool everything down. With an N150 inside, it’s the Aiffro K100’s biggest competitor in my opinion, but your needs can dictate your end result.
Final Thoughts
Speaking of the end result, that’s where we’ve landed. So what do I think? Of the mainstream options, this and the Beelink ME Mini offer the best value for quality. Want the smallest form factor at the cost of 2-3 drives? Go for the K100. Fine, adding some verticality and 5-6 bays, depending on if you want to use the built-in eMMc? Go for the ME Mini.
For $299, I think the K100 is a bit on the pricier side for things I’d recommend, especially with the N100 and the strange choices with how you handle drives. But it runs cool, quiet, and has been rock solid the entire time I’ve had it.
Should you buy one right now? With the cost of RAM and SSDs going up due to more “AI Requirements,” it’s a bit of a harder sell when the cheapest 4TB SSDs are $250, while a 4TB hard drive is still $85. If you understand the cost and know you don’t need a lot of storage, go for it. I’m gonna keep this one in my evolving homelab and see where it goes from there.
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