Minisforum's new N5 Air network-attached storage unit combines a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 255 APU with five HDD bays, three M.2 slots, and an OCuLink port for external GPU expansion, targeting users who need more than just basic file storage.
Minisforum has officially launched its N5 Air NAS after a quiet debut in early January 2026. This isn't your typical budget network-attached storage unit. At a starting price of $499 for the barebone model, the N5 Air packs hardware that rivals some desktop computers, making it a compelling option for users who want a NAS that can handle more than just file sharing.
What's New: A NAS with Desktop-Class Hardware
The N5 Air's core strength lies in its processing power. It's powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 255, a Hawk Point APU featuring 8 cores and 16 threads with a base clock of 3.2 GHz and boost up to 4.9 GHz. This is paired with the Radeon 780M integrated GPU, which provides significant compute power for tasks like video transcoding, AI inference, or running virtual machines directly on the NAS.
Storage capacity is another standout feature. The unit supports five 3.5-inch HDD bays and three M.2 2280 slots for PCIe 4.0 SSDs. When fully equipped, the N5 Air can handle up to 144 TB of total storage, which surpasses many traditional 5-bay NAS systems like the Synology DiskStation DS1525+. The M.2 slots aren't just for storage either—they can be configured as cache arrays to accelerate HDD performance.
Expansion and Connectivity: Beyond Standard NAS Features
What truly sets the N5 Air apart from conventional NAS units are its expansion options. The inclusion of an OCuLink port allows users to connect an external GPU, transforming the NAS into a capable workstation for GPU-accelerated tasks. This is particularly useful for users running AI workloads, video editing projects, or gaming servers that require dedicated graphics processing.
Additionally, the N5 Air features a PCIe x16 slot that can accommodate various expansion cards. Users can install network interface cards (NICs) for faster connectivity, additional storage controllers, or even specialized hardware for specific workloads. This level of expandability is rare in the NAS market and positions the N5 Air as a hybrid device that bridges the gap between traditional network storage and compact desktop systems.
Design and Maintenance: User-Friendly Engineering
Minisforum has adopted a practical design approach with the N5 Air. The chassis allows users to slide the entire motherboard assembly out, similar to the Beelink ME Pro. This design simplifies upgrades and maintenance significantly—users can easily access RAM slots, M.2 SSDs, and expansion cards without disassembling the entire unit.
The cooling system is designed to maintain optimal drive temperatures even under sustained load, which is crucial for data integrity and performance. Minisforum claims this thermal management ensures that installed drives operate at their peak performance levels.
Software and Ecosystem
The N5 Air runs MinisCloud OS, which provides a user-friendly interface for managing storage, network settings, and applications. The system includes Docker support, allowing users to deploy containerized applications directly on the NAS. This makes it suitable for running services like media servers, home automation platforms, or development environments.
Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring a USB4 port (40 Gbps), multiple USB 3.2 ports, 2.5 GbE networking, and HDMI 2.1 output. The USB4 port is particularly valuable for high-speed external storage or docking stations.
Pricing and Configurations
Minisforum offers the N5 Air in two configurations:
- Barebone model: $499 (requires user-installed RAM and storage)
- Pre-configured model: $679 (includes 16 GB of DDR5 RAM)
Both models support up to 96 GB of DDR5 RAM, providing ample headroom for memory-intensive applications.
Who Should Consider the N5 Air?
The N5 Air is ideal for several user profiles:
- Home lab enthusiasts who need a compact, powerful server for virtualization and container workloads
- Content creators requiring local storage with GPU acceleration for video editing or rendering
- Small businesses needing a versatile NAS that can handle file storage, backups, and light server duties
- AI hobbyists who want to experiment with local AI models using the Radeon 780M or external GPU
Competitive Landscape
Compared to traditional NAS vendors like Synology or QNAP, the N5 Air offers significantly more processing power at a competitive price point. While Synology's DiskStation DS1525+ costs around $800-900 and uses a lower-power Intel Celeron, the N5 Air provides desktop-class performance for less money. However, Synology's ecosystem offers more polished software and official support, which some users may prefer.
The N5 Air's OCuLink port and PCIe slot also give it an advantage over competitors that typically lack such expansion capabilities. For users who need flexibility beyond standard NAS functions, this makes the N5 Air a more future-proof investment.
Limitations and Considerations
While the N5 Air is impressive, potential buyers should consider a few factors. The AMD Ryzen 7 255 APU, while powerful, consumes more power than traditional NAS processors, which may impact energy costs for always-on operation. The barebone model requires separate RAM and storage purchases, which adds to the total cost.
Additionally, MinisCloud OS is relatively new compared to established NAS operating systems like Synology's DSM or QNAP's QTS. While it supports Docker and basic NAS functions, users may find fewer third-party applications and plugins initially.
The Bottom Line
The Minisforum N5 Air represents a new category of NAS devices that prioritize performance and expandability over simplicity. At $499 for the barebone model, it offers exceptional value for users who need more than basic file storage. The combination of a powerful AMD APU, generous storage support, and unique expansion options like OCuLink and PCIe slots makes it a versatile platform for various use cases.
For users comfortable with configuring their own hardware and software, the N5 Air provides a compelling alternative to traditional NAS systems. However, those who prefer turnkey solutions with extensive app ecosystems may still find better options in established NAS brands.
The N5 Air is available now through Minisforum's official website and authorized retailers.
Learn more: Minisforum N5 Air Official Product Page | MinisCloud OS Documentation
Comments
Please log in or register to join the discussion