A compact NAS is not usually the place where Wi-Fi 7, USB 4, and a six-core Intel processor show up together. Minisforum is trying to change that with the N4, a new model that puts modern connectivity and efficient hardware into a small storage-focused system.
The device is built around Intel Wildcat Lake, a low-power platform first aimed at budget laptops. In the N4, that chip is paired with 16 GB of RAM, which gives the system more room to handle multitasking, storage services, and workloads beyond simple file holding.
A small NAS with unusual ambitions
Minisforum has not named the exact processor inside the N4, but it has confirmed a six-core CPU. Available clues point to the Intel Core 3 305, which combines two performance cores and four efficiency cores, with a boost clock of up to 4.3 GHz.
That positioning matters because the N4 is not being framed as a basic home box. Minisforum appears to be aiming at home users and small offices that want a compact NAS with features that feel closer to a more serious system.
Storage layout built for flexibility
The N4 includes four 3.5-inch hard drive bays, which gives it the kind of bulk storage capacity expected from a NAS. It also adds two M.2 slots connected through PCIe 4.0 x1, opening the door to a mixed setup of large-capacity drives and faster storage.
That arrangement allows users to keep main storage roomy while still having space for faster-access data or acceleration. It is a flexible approach for a device this size, especially when paired with the included memory.
Connectivity that stands out in this class
One of the N4’s most notable traits is its port selection. Minisforum equips it with USB 4 over USB-C, two USB-A ports, 10 Gbit/s Ethernet, 2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 7.
Wi-Fi 7 is especially unusual for a compact NAS, since many products in this category still rely heavily on wired networking. The wireless option gives the N4 more placement freedom at home without forcing a new cable run to every corner of a room.
USB 4 also broadens the device’s role beyond conventional network storage. Alongside the dual Ethernet setup, it gives the N4 more ways to fit into high-speed network environments.
Metal body and practical access
The N4 uses a metal chassis, which gives it a sturdier feel than many small storage devices. Accessing the drives is also kept simple, since the top cover can be removed to reach the storage section.
Minisforum also adds an HDMI port, which lets a monitor connect directly to the NAS. That makes it possible to check the system locally without needing extra hardware.
Possible AI use on the horizon
Some Wildcat Lake chips include an integrated AI accelerator, and that detail raises interest around the N4. In this context, it could open the door to OpenClaw support on the device.
Minisforum has not announced pricing or release timing for the N4. Even so, the company has already positioned it as one of the first NAS devices based on Intel Wildcat Lake.
Source: www.notebookcheck.net
