Three QNAP Thunderbolt NAS models bring high-speed shared storage to Mac workflows

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Built with Thunderbolt connectivity and tuned for macOS, QNAP's latest network attached storage devices are tailor-made for multiple Final Cut editors and creative pros.

Three black and gray network storage devices with multiple drive bays and LED displays are arranged against a white background.
QNAP NAS devices



As creative teams handle larger files and collaborate more, direct-attached storage may feel limiting. QNAP's Thunderbolt NAS lineup -- TBS-h574TX, TVS-h874T, and TVS-h1688X -- provides Mac-friendly network storage with Thunderbolt speed and NAS flexibility.

These systems offer fast local access and centralized storage management, providing a solid alternative to traditional DAS drives or costly SAN setups. They're ideal for video editors, content creators, and production houses using software like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere.

While these NAS devices connect via Thunderbolt 4, the link is used for networking rather than raw PCI-e throughput. Users can expect real-world transfer speeds that max out around 20Gbps.

That's still notably faster than 10-gig Ethernet or other USB-C connections, but far from the 80Gbps headline number for Thunderbolt 5. For most workflows, though, it's more than enough for editing 4K video or sharing large project files without bottlenecks, and controlling access at the same time.

TBS-h574TX: compact and capable



The TBS-h574TX is a portable, all-flash NAS that's well suited to mobile production teams or editors working from the road. It uses a 13th-gen Intel Core i5-1340PE processor and includes 16GB of RAM.

Storage comes in the form of five E1.S NVMe SSD slots, with included adapters for more common M.2 2280 drives.

Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 10GbE port, and a 2.5GbE port are located on the back of the device. These ports are enough for direct connections to a MacBook Pro while syncing projects to a team network.

A compact, rectangular external storage device with a white top, gray front panel featuring ports, buttons, and vents. The text reads: Thunderbolt NVMe SSD NAS.
The TBS-h574TX. Image credit: QNAP



There's also an HDMI 1.4b port for 4K video output, useful for on-site review.

TVS-h874T: for post-production teams



Designed for heavier editing work, the TVS-h874T is available in two configurations -- one with a 12-core Intel Core i7 and 32GB of RAM, and another with a 16-core Core i9 and 64GB. Both support up to 64GB total.

Black network-attached storage device with eight drive bays, digital display, status indicators, brand logo, power button, and front USB port.
The TVS-h874T. Image credit: QNAP



It features eight SATA bays for bulk storage and two M.2 Gen 4 NVMe slots for fast SSD-based caching or active projects. This model also includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two 2.5GbE ports, with two PCIe slots for extra hardware.

TVS-h874T supports 4K HDMI output and hardware video acceleration via Intel UHD Graphics.

TVS-h1688X: built to scale



For teams with larger asset libraries or more demanding environments, the TVS-h1688X provides a hybrid storage layout and plenty of expansion. It runs on a 6-core Intel Xeon W-1250 processor and comes with 32GB of ECC memory, upgradeable to 128GB.

Black QNAP network attached storage device with multiple drive bays, LED indicators, and front panel display showing network information.
The TVS-h1688X. Image credit: QNAP



There are 12 SATA bays, four SSD bays, and two M.2 NVMe slots. Users get dual 10GbE ports, four 2.5GbE ports, and three PCIe slots. Thunderbolt isn't built in, but QNAP offers an expansion card if needed.

Built for Apple workflows



QNAP's Thunderbolt NAS systems work seamlessly with Macs, including Apple Silicon models.

Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere support SMB 3, which QNAP uses to let users open libraries straight from the NAS. Time Machine backups are also supported, and QNAP's iOS and iPadOS apps offer remote access to files and system status.

Mac systems can also auto-connect to network shares at login, making day-to-day use feel nearly as smooth as a local drive.

Pricing and availability



The TBS-h574TX is available in two configurations -- the entry-level model with an Intel Core i3 processor and 12GB of RAM is priced at $1,199.00, while the higher-end version with a Core i5 and 16GB of RAM is listed at $1,449.00.

The TVS-h874T also comes in two versions tailored for creative professionals. The model with a 12-core Intel Core i7 and 32GB of RAM sells for $2,899.00, while the upgraded variant with a 16-core Core i9 and 64GB of RAM is priced at $3,499.00.

For users with enterprise-level needs, the TVS-h1688X is offered in a configuration featuring a six-core Intel Xeon W-1250 processor and 32GB of ECC memory. It's priced at $3,189.00.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    sevenfeetsevenfeet Posts: 472member
    Was this a sponsored article? I ask because as an owner of the TVS-h1688x, none of the products in this article are new. In fact, the TVS-h1688x is about FIVE YEARS OLD and is rumored to be replaced by a new model any day now.
    williamlondon
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  • Reply 2 of 5
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,034administrator
    sevenfeet said:
    Was this a sponsored article? I ask because as an owner of the TVS-h1688x, none of the products in this article are new. In fact, the TVS-h1688x is about FIVE YEARS OLD and is rumored to be replaced by a new model any day now.
    It is not. Qnap told us this was a new model for NAB. I'll look into it.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 5
    timpetustimpetus Posts: 65member
    Yikes, these are expensive! I've always thought it would be nice to replace our OWC ThunderBay 8 with something that can handle NAS duty instead of being a DAS that we share using my wife's Mac Studio, but we could easily spend more than the Studio on just the NAS, before buying the drives to fill it out.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 5
    mfrydmfryd Posts: 249member
    sevenfeet said:
    Was this a sponsored article? I ask because as an owner of the TVS-h1688x, none of the products in this article are new. In fact, the TVS-h1688x is about FIVE YEARS OLD and is rumored to be replaced by a new model any day now.
    It is not. Qnap told us this was a new model for NAB. I'll look into it.
    None of these are new models.   I bought a TVS-h874T in June 2024. 

    Information on release dates are readily available on QNAP's web site.  Just search for the model number and you can find the press release for that model's introduction.

    According to QNAP's website, the TVS-h874T was introduced October 2023

    The TVS-h1688x was introduced November 2020.

    The TVS-h574TX was introduced December 2023.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 5
    mfrydmfryd Posts: 249member
    While the TVS-h874T has two PCIe slots, only one of them is available for "extra hardware".  The other slot is taken up with a PCIe Thunderbolt controller.   You would need to remove Thunderbolt capabilities in order to use both PCIe slots.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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