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Zettlab · NAS buying guide

Zettlab D4 NAS Buying Guide

Product facts and dated cost

Zettlab D4 · Exact identity: NAS-D4

4 primary bays · Rockchip RK3588 · 8-core + 6-TOPS NPU · 16GB LPDDR4X · 1 × 2.5GbE + 1 × 1GbE · Diskless: hard drives cost extra

Catalog amount: $499.99 · recent · Price record: 2026-10-16T01:31:34.418384+00:00. Tax and shipping excluded.

Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store.

D4: specifications and dated store comparison →

2.5GbE copies look strong; ZettOS and non-upgradable RAM are the real limits

NAS-D4 · Rockchip RK3588 · 8-core + 6-TOPS NPU · 16GB LPDDR4X (max 16GB) · 4 × SATA + 1 × M.2 · 1×2.5GbE + 1×1GbE · HDMI 4K · ZettOS/Btrfs

Based on the official D4/D6 table and wiki, PCMag and PC-WELT transfer tests, Notebookcheck/Neowin/Oscillog hands-on notes, and dated US factory listings. ChooseCompute has not tested this NAS itself. See the review evidence ↓

Zettlab D4 network attached storage system
Is it right for me? ↓Full specifications ↗Observed $499.99Oct 16, 2026, 1:31:34 AM UTC · In stock at observation · Before tax

Is the D4 right for you?

Local AI-assisted photo/video search on a 4-bay enclosure

Official 6-TOPS NPU plus PCMag/Notebookcheck/Neowin hands-on search and categorization; indexing can lag large dumps (Neowin: 16,000 files still unfinished after 48 hours).[1][10][12]

Good fit with planning

Saturating a single 2.5GbE client link with HDD RAID

PCMag 289/298 MBps on 2.5GbE RAID 5; PC-WELT ~275 MB/s for a 4GB video on 2.5GbE. Not a 10GbE or multi-client aggregate claim.[10][11]

Good fit in disclosed tests

Hot-swap, expandable RAM, or a mature restore/snapshot workflow

Wiki requires shutdown to install drives; Maximum RAM is 16GB; no storage-pool snapshot restore article was found.[7][1][4]

Consider another model

Key exact-configuration specifications

Full specifications ↗

Follow any specification for its full conditions and sources.

Living with it

Hardware, software and ownership tradeoffs

01

What the 2.5GbE tests actually measured

PCMag used four 10TB Seagate IronWolf drives in RAID 5 (26.9TB after a 5-minute init and 20-hour sync), a 2.5GbE switch, and a 4.9GB mixed folder: 289 MBps write and 298 MBps read. PC-WELT copied large video files over Gigabit at up to 121 MB/s (NAS Performance Tester 115–119 MB/s) and a 4GB video over 2.5GbE at about 275 MB/s, matching a BrosTrend 2.5GbE switch and a direct PC link. Those figures are not 10GbE, SSD-array, or encrypted-path results. The original NAS Performance Tester screenshot separately shows 288.28 MB/s write and 230.74 MB/s read with a 1000MB file over five loops; its network/RAID labels are absent, so it is not the Gigabit prose result.[10][11]

02

ZettOS is documented now, still young

Official wiki pages show GUI backup/sync to NAS, external disks and several cloud/file protocols; Settings-Update; Btrfs pools; SMB/NFS/Rsync/Time Machine folder; and Device Info/Log center. They also require a shutdown to fit drives and warn that pool creation formats disks. Neowin ran 1.5.x-alpha with messy upgrades and hidden filesystem type; PCMag called the app catalog thin. Do not treat wiki feature names as a proven restore drill.[5][6][4][12][10]

03

Budget the disks and a second copy

The enclosure is diskless. Official US store price on 2026-09-11 was $429.99 (compare-at $699.99) with 3–5 day US delivery claimed. RAID is not a backup. Warranty is two years on the unit and one year on the adapter; data is excluded.[14][3]

04

AI search and Q&A use different computing paths

The exact D4/D6 official table lists AI categories, search and transcription, but explicitly assigns AI Q&A to PC computing power. Generic all-on-NAS marketing and some reviews conflict with that model-specific statement. Confirm the desktop-app requirement before buying for chat; a 6-TOPS NPU rating does not establish standalone NAS LLM performance.[1][2]

05

Current documented security and backup limits

The current wiki documents OTP two-factor authentication, administrator-verified SSH with automatic closure, firewall and certificates. Older missing-2FA/SSH reports describe their tested builds. Moving personal space pauses backup/sync tasks and requires manual restart afterward. Remote-ID photo backup uses a speed-capped relay; LAN backup is faster. These are documented workflows, not measured security or restore tests.[15][16][17]

What original tests found

Our buying advice combines official specifications with the original reviews below. We have not tested this product ourselves. Expand a review for its setup, measurements and limitations.

Notebookcheck

Abid Ahsan ShantoDec 16, 2025

Notebookcheck: useful AI, incomplete pre-release OS

Gift-sample D4. Solid metal trays, LCD, on-device search/transcription. No Wi-Fi/PCIe. No RAID MB/s. One unit.

Read the original review
Test setup, measurements & limitations

Notebookcheck D4 hands-on

Updated Dec 17, 2025

Tested: Manufacturer-supplied D4 hands-on; exact RAM/disk SKUs not fully disclosed; pre-release ZettOS.

Applies to: Direct to NAS-D4 hardware/ports/AI UX. Shipping date text says January 20, 2025 despite a December 2025 publish date — treat as a sourcing error, not a spec. No RAID MB/s table.

  • Metal chassis with push-and-pull trays; LCD; accessories include power adapter, Gigabit Ethernet cable, M.2 pad, dust cover.Source location: First impressions / included accessories
  • The article lists AI search, categories, OCR/faces and transcription and reports responsive ZettOS. It does not separately benchmark every advertised AI function.Source location: Software and ease of backup
  • No Wi-Fi, no PCIe. Manufacturer sample provided free of charge; affiliate links disclosed.Source location: Transparency; Cons

Limits to keep in mind

  • Gift sample; one unit; no controlled RAID throughput.
  • Do not copy Ultra-model AI or 10GbE claims.
PCMag

John R. DelaneyApr 15, 2026

PCMag: 289/298 MBps on 2.5GbE RAID 5

Four 10TB IronWolf, RAID 5, 2.5GbE switch, 4.9GB mixed folder. Thin app store. 7.2×8.2×9.2 in enclosure. Not 10GbE.

Read the original review
Test setup, measurements & limitations

PCMag D4 lab file-copy test

Tested: Four 10TB Seagate IronWolf HDDs, RAID 5 (26.9TB), Windows app setup, desktop PC and NAS on a 2.5GbE switch; 4.9GB mixed music/video/photo/office folder.

Applies to: Direct NAS-D4 throughput on that HDD RAID 5 / 2.5GbE path. UK edition (opened 2026-09-11) matches the US review body. PCMag listed RAM as DDR4; official table is LPDDR4x — keep official memory type.

  • App catalog described as thin versus Asustor AS6804T; tool-free sleds; LCD shows IP/CPU/RAM/capacity/time.Source location: Bottom line; Design
  • Btrfs and RAID 0/1/5/6/10/JBOD/Basic stated. Enclosure 7.2 × 8.2 × 9.2 in.Source location: Design: Decked Out With Ports
  • Pool initialization took about five minutes; full synchronization took about 20 hours. These are different stages, not a five-minute completed RAID rebuild.Source location: Performance Testing / setup
Measurements reported by the reviewer
MeasurementResultConditions & source location
Mixed-folder write289 MBps4.9GB mixed folder; 4×10TB IronWolf RAID 5; 2.5GbE switchPerformance Testing: Rev Up the Platters
Mixed-folder read298 MBpsSame folder and RAID 5 / 2.5GbE path; compared with DS425+, AS6804T, TS-432X-4GPerformance Testing: Rev Up the Platters

Limits to keep in mind

  • Affiliate commissions disclosed; not a 10GbE or SSD-array test.
  • www.pcmag.com returned 403 this round; UK mirror body was saved and read.
PC-WELT

Christoph HoffmannJan 28, 2026

PC-WELT: ~275 MB/s at 2.5GbE, ~120 MB/s at 1GbE

Gigabit Explorer up to 121 MB/s; 2.5GbE 4GB video ~275 MB/s. Mixed 2GB backup ~44 MB/s. Ignore the 133 mm chassis figure.

Read the original review
Test setup, measurements & limitations

PC-WELT D4 Gigabit and 2.5GbE copies

Tested: D4 in Gigabit Windows Explorer / NAS Performance Tester and 2.5GbE (direct and BrosTrend switch). Drive models not named in the opened extract. Original Device Info image shows ZettOS service 1.5.0-alpha. Setup image shows three 3.64TB drives and one 2.73TB drive with RAID 10 selected in the wizard; this does not prove the benchmark used that completed array.

Applies to: Direct D4 network-copy evidence. 133×152×215 mm size claim conflicts with PCMag inches and with four 3.5-inch bays — do not use PC-WELT size as a factory spec.

  • Soldered RAM and no hot-swap called out as power-user limits.Source location: Fazit
  • Empty weight about 2.3 kg; 4.7–5.3 kg with four 3.5-inch drives.Source location: Gehäuse / Gewicht
Measurements reported by the reviewer
MeasurementResultConditions & source location
Gigabit large-video copyup to 121 MB/sWindows Explorer large-video copies on Gigabit; the article’s TB-sized file labels appear inconsistent and are not adopted as verified file sizesSo schnell sind Datenübertragungen
NAS Performance Tester sequential115–119 MB/s read and writeGigabit; compared with DS423 and Ugreen DXP4800 PlusSo schnell sind Datenübertragungen
Gigabit mixed backupjust over 44 MB/sAbout 3,000 files / 2GB mixed backupSo schnell sind Datenübertragungen
2.5GbE 4GB video copyabout 275 MB/s4GB video; direct PC–NAS and BrosTrend 2.5GbE switch, same result; <15 sIm 2,5-GbE-Netzwerk…
Original NAS Performance Tester screenshot: average write / read288.28 / 230.74 MB/sNAS Performance Tester 1.700c; 1000MB file, five loops, mapped Z: drive. Faster than Gigabit; screenshot does not independently label NIC/RAID. Separate from prose 115–119 MB/s Gigabit and 275 MB/s Explorer copy.Original NAS-Performance.png, average W and R rows

Limits to keep in mind

  • Affiliate shopping links. Drive SKUs not listed in the saved text.
  • Do not adopt the 133×152×215 mm chassis figure.
  • The prose labels some video files 1/4/8 TB; file-size units are not independently verified. Missing two-factor authentication describes the January 2026 review build; current official wiki documents it.
  • Setup screenshot only demonstrates a RAID 10 wizard selection, not the array used for benchmarks. Original screenshot’s 288.28/230.74 MB/s belongs to a different/faster path than Gigabit prose.
Neowin

Christopher WhiteJan 5, 2026

Neowin: alpha updates and slow first index

Mixed RAID 5: nearly 300 MB/s read, over 200 MB/s write. Build 1.5.1-alpha had upgrade, browser-upload and large-library indexing problems. Q&A ran on the PC.

Read the original review
Test setup, measurements & limitations

Neowin D4 alpha-software hands-on

Tested: D4, mixed RAID 5 using a pair of 2TB drives and an older 500GB drive; full drive count/MPNs and client/file profile not disclosed. ZettOS 1.5.1-alpha after 1.0.0-alpha upgrades.

Applies to: Direct D4 software and approximate RAID 5 throughput evidence. Original full body recovered in web search extraction; direct page opening remained blocked.

  • Upgrades 1.0.0-alpha → 1.3.1-alpha → 1.5.0-alpha downloaded ~20GB and stalled until reboot.Source location: Setup / update narrative
  • 16,000-file ingest still had >8,000 files unscanned after 48 hours; search examples worked once indexed.Source location: AI search
  • LLM chat runs via desktop app because D4 resources are limited; filesystem type hidden — author would not use it as sole production NAS.Source location: Conclusion
  • The cons list says drives are not hot swappable.Source location: Cons
  • Browser upload handled 9,000 MP3 files, but a roughly 40,000-photo upload crashed midway and was not resumable in the tested build.Source location: File upload experience
  • Desktop LLM ran on the local PC; AI video/OCR search had useful hits but the chat answer did not successfully use the retrieved knowledge-base context.Source location: AI and LLM experience
Measurements reported by the reviewer
MeasurementResultConditions & source location
Reported RAID 5 read / writenearly 300 / over 200 MB/sMixed HDD RAID 5; approximate prose observation, full client/file profile not disclosed.Performance section

Limits to keep in mind

  • Full original body recovered through search extraction; original performance images not visually inspected.
  • Alpha version problems are historical, not established current failures.
  • Approximate throughput lacks full workload and drive identity; not a controlled cross-review comparison.
Oscillog

オシログNov 3, 2025

Oscillog: easy first setup and card copy

Manufacturer-provided Japanese review; SD card copy worked, but AI search missed relevant images. Promotion/affiliate disclosed; no timed transfer benchmark.

Read the original review
Test setup, measurements & limitations

Oscillog Japanese D4 setup/AI experience

Updated Sep 1, 2026

Tested: First-hand D4; RAID wizard and one-card copy described; no named HDD benchmark table in the opened text.

Applies to: Qualitative D4 owner/reviewer UX. Amazon.jp shopping widgets are not US PDPs.

  • LCD shows access URL; RAID wizard uses plain-language performance vs safety choices.Source location: 初期設定が圧倒的に簡単
  • SD COPY with progress on LCD; browser/app/phone access without mandatory heavy client.Source location: ワンカードコピー機能
  • Card-copy progress worked on the LCD, but semantic image search missed some relevant pictures. The article’s own model table assigns Q&A to PC computing power.Source location: AI search examples / comparison table

Limits to keep in mind

  • No disclosed RAID MB/s.
  • Retail links are Japanese marketplaces.
  • Zettlab provided the unit; promotion and affiliate links disclosed.
  • AI search missed some cat/bird images and smartphone-object examples; not a measured accuracy study.

Common HDD combinations

Examples ordered by recorded drive unit price, which may be historical or an editorial reference. Check capacity, vendor compatibility, included storage and price evidence before choosing. These are component checks, not compatibility certifications.

  • D4 + 2 × WD Red Plus 2TB (WD20EFPX, 2TB each) →

    Component total: $809.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-10-09T01:23:41.974420+00:00 · 4TB raw, before redundancy.

    Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-10-16T01:31:34.418384+00:00; drive price record: 2026-10-09T01:23:41.974420+00:00. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.

  • D4 + 2 × IronWolf 4TB (ST4000VN006, 4TB each) →

    Component total: $879.97 · recent · Oldest price record: 2026-10-09T03:58:24.994342+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.

    Dated price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-10-16T01:31:34.418384+00:00; drive price record: 2026-10-09T03:58:24.994342+00:00. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.

  • D4 + 2 × WD Red Plus 4TB (WD40EFZZ, 4TB each) →

    Component total: $889.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T13:58:17.239646+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.

    Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-10-16T01:31:34.418384+00:00; drive price record: 2026-09-27T13:58:17.239646+00:00. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.

  • D4 + 4 × WD Red Plus 2TB (WD20EFPX, 2TB each) →

    Component total: $1,119.95 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-10-09T01:23:41.974420+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.

    Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-10-16T01:31:34.418384+00:00; drive price record: 2026-10-09T01:23:41.974420+00:00. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.

  • D4 + 4 × IronWolf 4TB (ST4000VN006, 4TB each) →

    Component total: $1,259.95 · recent · Oldest price record: 2026-10-09T03:58:24.994342+00:00 · 16TB raw, before redundancy.

    Dated price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-10-16T01:31:34.418384+00:00; drive price record: 2026-10-09T03:58:24.994342+00:00. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.

Before you buy

US product pages and ownership costs

Drives and usable capacity

Four SATA bays plus one M.2; user data drives are separate. RAID/parity reduces usable capacity. Compatibility list is a detected-hardware reference, not a promise every MPN works; SMR is not recommended and PWDIS drives may fail to start.[1][8]

Network path

One 2.5GbE port plus one 1GbE port. PCMag/PC-WELT 2.5GbE copies still need matching clients and switches. Multiple ports do not automatically bond for one transfer; wiki Standard Bridge is a different feature.[1][10]

Software and RMA cost

Price a second backup target. Official RMA requires you to back up and wipe data first.[3][5]

Compare stores for this exact model

NAS-D4 · Rockchip RK3588 · 8-core + 6-TOPS NPU · 16GB LPDDR4X (max 16GB) · 4 × SATA + 1 × M.2 · 1×2.5GbE + 1×1GbE · HDMI 4K · ZettOS/Btrfs Check the total delivered price at the store.

Lowest observed price

$499.99

In stock at observation

1 store · 1 recent price observation

Zettlab

Sold by Zettlab

$429.99

Historical price

Stock not confirmed · New

16GB LPDDR4X; 4 × SATA HDD + M.2 NVMe SSD; user data drives not included

Store claims fast 3–5 day delivery for US orders; cost not itemized at checkout in this capture. US storefront (USD). 30-day returns claimed. Disks separate. 24-month warranty line on PDP; policy page splits 2yr unit / 1yr adapter.

Observed Sep 11, 2026, 9:56:22 AM UTC[14]

View exact product at Zettlab

Prices are dated observations. Confirm the model, seller, condition, stock and delivered total at the store. Older prices remain visible as history. Links may earn a commission.

Questions before buying

Which exact D4 configuration does this guide cover?

It covers NAS-D4: NAS-D4 · Rockchip RK3588 · 8-core + 6-TOPS NPU · 16GB LPDDR4X · 4 × SATA HDD + M.2 NVMe SSD. Seller-installed memory or a sibling CPU variant is outside this identity.[1]

Are data drives included?

The researched configuration is an enclosure with factory OS storage where specified; user data drives are separate. Confirm the selected store variant before checkout.[1]

Does the fastest Ethernet figure guarantee that transfer speed?

No. 1 × 2.5GbE + 1 × 1GbE describes installed ports. Drives, RAID, file sizes, client adapters, switches and software determine real throughput, and multiple links are not automatically one faster client link.[1]

Which software features should be checked before buying?

The factory platform is ZettOS; exact installed build must be checked. Feature availability still depends on the installed build, packages, licenses and storage configuration; the hardware name alone does not confirm a workflow.[1]

Sources

Research updated Sep 11, 2026. Individual source check dates are listed below. Measurements belong to the named reviewers; tested configurations and software versions may differ from the product you buy.

  1. [1] Zettlab D4/D6 official product page ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Compare Model HTML table; HDMI 4K marketing; 24-month warranty line; US 3–5 day delivery; Add to cart

  2. [2] ZettOS feature page ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Backup/sync, RAID, Docker, VM caveat for D4/D6, Resource Monitor, Cocard

  3. [3] Zettlab Limited Warranty Policy ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · NAS main unit two years; adapter/cables one year; data not covered

  4. [4] ZettOS wiki: Manage Storage Pools and Drives ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · FAQ: internal pools use Btrfs; JBOD expansion documented; RAID 0 expansion explicitly unsupported; other RAID expansion unresolved; SSD cache >32GB; SMR not in this article but compatibility list

  5. [5] ZettOS wiki: Create A Backup Task ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Backup to this NAS / others; scheduled automatic backup; destinations include external, cloud, SMB, WebDAV, FTP, Rsync

  6. [6] ZettOS wiki: Update System ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Settings-Update check/download/Update Now; 10–20 min restart warning

  7. [7] ZettOS wiki: Install Drives ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Shut down and disconnect power before installing drives; M.2 under bottom cover

  8. [8] Zettlab Hardware Fit & Usage Reference ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · D4/D6 HDD/SATA and M.2 2280 lists; SMR not recommended; D4/D6 do not support PWDIS

  9. [9] Notebookcheck D4 hands-on ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Verdict, specifications, software, Transparency gift-sample

  10. [10] PCMag D4 review (UK edition body opened) ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Performance Testing 289/298 MBps; Design 7.2×8.2×9.2 in; RAID 5 26.9TB

  11. [11] PC-WELT ZETTLAB D4 Test ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Gigabit 115–121 MB/s; 2.5GbE ~275 MB/s; weight 2.3 kg

  12. [12] Neowin D4 alpha review ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Search extraction of original URL; 403 on direct curl

  13. [13] Oscillog D4 review ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Japanese setup, COPY, RAID wizard

  14. [14] Zettlab selected D4 PDP ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Add to cart; Sale $429.99; US 3–5 day delivery claim; 24-month warranty line

  15. [15] ZettOS wiki: Security and two-factor authentication ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Full available written instructions; parent checked saved material, original capture timestamp retained.

  16. [16] ZettOS wiki: Backup preparation and personal-space migration ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Full available written instructions; parent checked saved material, original capture timestamp retained.

  17. [17] ZettOS wiki: Phone photo backup ↗

    Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Full available written instructions; parent checked saved material, original capture timestamp retained.

  18. [18] Zettlab product price observation ↗

    Checked Oct 16, 2026 · shopify-json-with-currency-evidence; sha256:a4fa12b7b1cc74183e1b8dfcd87926eada27f3d120db884e206d45152a104d42

Research and review record

  • Research: Grok 4.6 · Source research and data update
  • Self-check: Grok 4.6 · Researcher self-check
  • Independent review: GPT-6 (Codex) · Independent original written-source and primary-table review; three PC-WELT figures visually inspected. Unread video and other charts excluded.
  • Editorial integration: GPT-6 (Codex) · Editorial integration and validation

Independent review completed for the scope recorded in the audit.

Source evidence and review history (JSON)

How we research products·Affiliate disclosure