EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Hacker News·Aug 1·5 min read
Ten Ways NAS Is Getting Enshitified
TL;DR
The consumer NAS market is increasingly adopting restrictive design choices that limit user control and expand costs, shifting from modularity to closed systems. Key trends include soldered RAM, drive lock-in policies, and recycled hardware generations.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider building custom NAS solutions to maintain control and reduce costs.
Key Takeaways
- Evaluate custom NAS builds for better control and cost efficiency.
- Be cautious of NAS units with soldered RAM and fixed OS drives.
- Research third-party drive compatibility before purchasing NAS systems.
- Stay informed about hardware refresh cycles to avoid outdated technology.
Full Summary
Over the past 18 to 24 months, the NAS market has shifted towards designs that prioritize cost-cutting and ecosystem lock-in, undermining user control. Key changes include the adoption of soldered LPDDR RAM on x86 systems, which limits memory upgrades and introduces single points of failure.
Additionally, many NAS units are now equipped with non-removable OS drives, creating permanent failure points. Drive lock-in policies restrict users to proprietary drives, inflating costs, while manufacturers recycle older hardware under new model numbers, offering minimal performance improvements.
These trends collectively push NAS products towards closed, appliance-like systems, raising total ownership costs and reducing long-term utility.