Linc Plus Linc Station E1 NAS review | Tech Radar

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Linc Plus Linc Station E1 NAS review: An impressive 2+2 bay NAS — but the Linc OS still feels like it's in development

The Linc Station E1 offers huge potential, but with a fast developing OS it's full feature set is still waiting to be rolled out

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The Linc Station E1 is aimed at the entry-level NAS with flexible 2+2 storage, essentially two SATA bays and two M.2 NVMe slots. I found the hardware offers a balance of power and storage that's a great option for small offices and studios. The local NAS performance is decent enough, though limited by the 1 Gbps wired connection. This is more than enough for those new to using a NAS. The build quality is good, and features such as the dual-band Wi-Fi and 4K HDMI are decent offerings at the price. However, Linc OS still feels in its early stages of development, and the key feature, the person cloud remote access, is inconsistent and frankly just doesn’t work at present. At this price, as long as issues with Linc OS are addressed, this will be a phenomenal NAS.

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In this review, I’ve taken a look at a Pre-Launch model of the Linc Station E1, and the hardware impresses right away, especially given the price. Inside is a 2+2 storage layout, dual-band Wi-Fi, and 4K HDMI output, and the feature set and newly developed Linc OS are aimed at the entry-level.

The Linc Station E1 hardware features a compact chassis, which, despite being entry-level, is exceptionally well finished and designed. The drive installation is quick, with a combination of two SATA bays and two M.2 NVMe slots accessed through a plate on the bottom of the drive.

The initial setup can be done completely using the mobile app, or on the PC, you can use the desktop client. On a Mac, however, the web interface is currently limited. Again, a firmware update during the review period resolved the most significant remote access issues, which is reassuring, but if accessing through the mobile or desktop App locally and then switching to remote, the software is still glitchy.

For a Windows-first-time NAS user who wants private local cloud storage, file backup, and remote access, it might not be the absolute best NAS device I've tested, but I found the E1 is a great choice given its price, especially once the software issues have been resolved. For Mac users who need frequent remote access, I would wait until the Linc OS issues have been resolved.

At present, the Linc Station E1 is part of a Kickstarter campaign. If you're interested in taking a closer look and getting involved, head over to the Kickstarter page.

However, I am seeing it on Amazon.com for $219, with a very long shipping time.

Although you can't buy it, you can check out all the details at the official Linc Plus site here.

CPU: Rockchip RK3568, quad-core Cortex-A55, up to 2.0GHz RAM: 4GB DDR4 Internal flash: 64GB e MMC ROM SATA bays: 2 × 3.5-inch/2.5-inch SATA NVMe slots: 2 × M.2 NVMe Network: 1 × Gigabit Ethernet (Gb E); dual-band Wi-Fi Video output: 1 × HDMI USB: Included Fan: Single fan; Silent / Auto / Full Speed modes OS: Linc OS Dimensions: 218.5 × 88 × 140mm Weight: 907g

The first impression of the Linc Station E1 is instantly better than many other entry-level NAS systems; it feels solid and well-built, even before the drives are installed.

When it comes to size, the compact chassis measures in at 218.5 × 88 × 140mm and weighs just 907g empty; this weight will obviously increase depending on the drive you install. This size and weight make it nice and compact, so it will easily sit on a shelf or behind a monitor without taking up too much space. During this test, it sat on the office sideboard next to the printers.

Getting started, the first step is installing the drives, which is easy enough; Linc Station has provided clear instructions. The two SATA bays use tool-free trays, so essentially you just slide the drive in, then click the tray back into place, with the process taking less than a minute per drive.

The two M.2 NVMe slots are accessed via a small hatch on the base, which requires a screwdriver but is still quick to use. Slot the M.2 drive in, screw down the retaining bolt, close the hatch, and the storage configuration is done. Boot it up and run the initial setup from there; thankfully, it's all guided.

On the front of the box is a small array of status LEDs; while these are minimal, they’re enough to indicate the drives' health and when they’re being accessed. These LEDs flicker to indicate drive and network activity, and the power button shifts from orange to white when the system is running.

This is an entry-level machine, so there’s no detailed status feedback beyond that, no per-drive health indicators or detailed network throughput LEDs; essentially, anything beyond basic activity, you need to access the software interface.

Inside, a single cooling fan keeps everything cool in three selectable modes. These modes are selected through the software and offer Silent, Auto, and Full Speed. By default, the E1 is set to Silent, and throughout most of the test, the Auto mode was used without issue.

In Silent mode, the unit sits quietly, with occasional noise from the discs as they spin up. The only time you hear the NAS is when it’s under load, and the fan kicks in. Again, it is quiet and not really distracting, unlike other drives of this type.

Networking and connectivity are a little disappointing, with a single Gigabit Ethernet port. While this specification is standard for this level of NAS, I would have expected a more up-to-date 2.5 Gb E, especially given the inclusion of the two M.2 NVMe drives, which can be installed and will far exceed 1 Gbps.

The built-in dual-band Wi-Fi is the more interesting addition and must be enabled in the settings before use, as I found it was switched off by default. This allows the E1 to be positioned anywhere in a home or studio without needing a cable run to the router, which will be a real benefit for many new to NAS.

The Linc Station E1 is a NAS designed for those looking to take their first steps with Network Attached Storage, and, from that angle, the potential of this small box and all its features make it a very interesting option.

It’s worth highlighting now that the feature set is entry-level, with the box and OS designed to do all the heavy lifting, so all you, as the user, have to do after the initial setup is use it to back up, store, and access your files. There’s a little more to it, with the usual range of Apps that can run directly, so it can be used as a media server. What really differentiates this from others, aside from the 2+2 storage option, is that it can be set up to provide remote access.

This means that once you’ve configured and set things up, you can use it as your very own cloud storage, and you can grant others access, or at least that’s the idea.

This whole NAS utilises Linc OS, Linc Plus's proprietary operating system, and I couldn’t help but notice how early this seems in the development cycle, with some features inaccessible and others simply not working, though firmware updates progressively offered more access and stability.

Initial setup on mac OS was not possible via a desktop client; however, using the i OS setup for the Linc Station was possible with my device, which handled the first connection and basic configuration. Once the drive is on the network, browser-based access is available, but the web interface in its current state is limited in the features; again, updates unlocked more as the review progressed.

The full Linc OS experience, including reliable remote access, cloud-sharing configuration, and the complete administrative feature set, seemed to require a Windows machine, so I opted for the New Asus PX13 2026.

On this Windows 11 machine, accessing the NAS through the client app, once the drive was configured and set up as a RAID 0 pool, the system was easy to use, and file management and sharing features worked flawlessly across the local network. The interface e has more than a few quirks, with the Apps acting more like filters, but still, it shows potential. On mac OS, the experience is more restricted, and on i OS, the remote access features in particular proved temperamental throughout the test.

Remote access via Linc Access is positioned as not requiring manual port forwarding, and in principle, this works. In practice, the test unit did not have reliable remote access until a firmware update was applied mid-review. After that update, remote access worked on Windows and, to a lesser degree, on Android. While i OS worked, the connection wasn’t reliable for remote browsing. The main issue was Password rejection: the correct credentials were rejected for no apparent reason.

Remote access is probably the key feature, but at present, unless you’re Windows-based, the reliability just isn’t there through the software.

Looking at the local options and the Smart Album, which automatically sorts uploaded files by type, photos, videos, documents, music and gives those files to you in browsable categories on the left sidebar of the interface. This actually works well and is one of the more finished-feeling features of Linc OS.

As I’ve seen on other NAS systems, there will be AI-powered photo tagging with face and scene recognition, but again, these are listed as a planned feature, but, at present, aren’t featured. What does work, however, is that uploaded images are recognised as image files and sorted accordingly. This is about as basic as you get, but at present, there’s no deeper AI categorisation.

The 4K HDMI output is a nice addition, and to be honest, it is common on NAS devices at this level, which don’t generally include it. Connecting the E1 directly to a 4K monitor via HDMI enables playback of video files stored on the NAS without needing a streaming device or a PC.

If you’re thinking of running a video or music stream in the office, this is a perfect NAS for a media and file server. What I liked about the connection design is that it works alongside Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling the E1 to be positioned behind a monitor and connected to both the display and the network without a cable running to a network hub.

The local account system works well, and you can set up different users if you work in a small office. This means their data is on the drive, but can only be accessed by them.

Essentially, all data stays on the device and the local network, but if you need to share files locally, it’s easy enough to invite others. What marks this NAS out is that you can also set up remote access, a feature you only usually see on more expensive systems. The trade-off is that setting up remote access requires more manual involvement than plug-and-play cloud NAS alternatives, and in the current state of Linc OS, that process is hit-or-miss.

Features: 3 / 5 (*As reviewed - may change once features are available)

Getting started with the Linc Station E1 is, as I said earlier in the review, straightforward, and anyone new to NAS shouldn’t find anything from the hardware and storage installation to the setup with the App exceptionally easy.

The only real issue comes later with connecting to the local cloud from a remote location, but as I discovered through the review, Linc OS is evolving, and while many features have been unlocked, the OS feels far from a final release.

However, while the OS feels like an early beta, with many features as yet unreleased, it does show potential, and when used as a basic NAS on a local network for storing and retrieving files, backing up documents and image libraries, and making shared folders accessible across connected machines and mobile devices, the performance was pretty decent.

If this is your first NAS, the ease of use will definitely appeal, and in any home office or small studio, the E1 essentially does what it is designed to do: it stores your files, keeps them accessible, and requires little to no additional input.

If you’re already using a NAS, the hardware design and potential features will also make this appealing, especially the headline personal cloud option. That may warrant an additional mention in an update to this review, as this still doesn’t appear to be working even with the latest update.

Another point for anyone who already owns a NAS is that it only features a 1 Gby network connection, so while you can add ultrafast storage, with that connection type, the access speeds will be limited.

In real-world testing with this stick, I saw about 80-115 MB/s for reads over a wired network, and image and video file transfers were noticeably slower than on my 2.5 GB-equipped NAS.

Again, the fact that there are two M.2 NVMe slots is great and shows an embrace of the latest storage technology; however, any benefit beyond size is offset by the connection speed.

During the test, I used two Lexar PCIe 3.0 M.2 drives, configured as fast storage tiers alongside the SATA drives. Again, while the internal speed is there, the network limits its use.

Another feature I particularly liked was the Wireless connection, which is switched off by default. Switching it on is done through the App, and once activated, you can disconnect the NAS from the wired network, freeing you to place it anywhere you want rather than needing to find a spot near the router or hub.

Wifi performance is lower than wired and with slower transfer rates; however, if you’re working on a small scale, just having that can be easily achieved by all machines in the house or building, is incredibly useful.

While network-attached storage potential is the main focus, another feature that will appeal is 4K video playback via the HDMI output. This works for most standard video file formats through the onboard My Videos App. Unlike other NAS systems, there’s no way to install media servers such as PLEX through the interface.

Inside the NAS is an RK3568 ARM processor, which is essentially entry-level and ideal for file storage and handling small network tasks.

In the test, the processor's power was insufficient for video decoding or other demanding processes, such as running a web server.

However, there are some good built-in feature apps, such as Smart Album photo, that help you filter through your images. Again, this takes time to run through the indexing process, so it's fine for small businesses, but at a scale, you may get tired of the wait.

With several thousand images, the initial indexing process is slow enough that I would suggest starting it and returning later rather than expecting quick results. The system remains usable during indexing, but responsiveness in the Linc OS interface can become a little slow.

Linc OS system during normal use is fast enough on Windows and other platforms, and typing in the IP on the LAN will enable you to access the Web UI, which again offers plenty of options, but as yet, many just don’t feel complete and act as filters to stored content rather than an app in the traditional sense.

At present, the hardware for this product is solid and perfectly pitched at the entry level; however, the Linc OS, while it shows potential, isn’t ready and most disappointing is the lead feature, the personal cloud, just doesn’t work.

The Linc Station E1, as an entry-level NAS, works well, and if that were all it were, it would be a great investment for any home or small office new to NAS systems. The fact that it has a 2+2 storage layout, SATA and SSD, dual-band Wi-Fi, 4K HDMI output, and a really compact design, paired with decent build quality, initially shows lots of promise for a box at this price.

Even with the somewhat still-in-development OS, the box works well locally, enabling you to store and access files across a local network, and the built-in apps offer a little more so that you can quickly find and view your content.

However, while this box has so much potential, the OS isn’t finished, and the main feature that would make this a five-star product just didn’t work, though a firmware update will inevitably fix it soon. The private cloud storage and file backup on a box at this price is exciting and will make this a very useful product. But at present, while the box is designed to do that, that feature is unreliable and just doesn’t work.

Then you have the UI, which is slightly different across systems, but again, that consistency seems to improve with each update. So hopefully by the time this NAS finally hits the shelves, it will reach the full potential that it promises.

At the moment, given the price, it’s a decent enough local-area NAS, and once remote access works reliably, it will be fantastic.

The wired network connection is a performance limiter, but again, this is designed to be entry-level, easy to use, and affordable.

Decent and well-balanced hardware at an entry-level price, but the software still needs development.

Decent and well-balanced hardware at an entry-level price, but the software still needs development.

Compact, well-designed box with a better finish than the price suggests.

Compact, well-designed box with a better finish than the price suggests.

Decent hardware feature, aside from the slower choice for the ethernet port, and let down by an unfinished OS. This result will change once all is accessable

Decent hardware feature, aside from the slower choice for the ethernet port, and let down by an unfinished OS. This result will change once all is accessable

Fine for basic NAS tasks, network speed limits the full potential of the NVMe storage, and remote connection just doesn’t work at present

Fine for basic NAS tasks, network speed limits the full potential of the NVMe storage, and remote connection just doesn’t work at present

Interesting hardware in need of software development; worth watching closely

Interesting hardware in need of software development; worth watching closely

If the E1 is your first NAS and your primary machine is Windows, Linc OS delivers decent performance for file backup, shared storage, and, in the future, basic private cloud access.

Not available yet, but when it is, this will make it one of the cheapest solutions for privately sharing files, without paying subscriptions.

Mac support is limited in the current Linc OS release, remote access from i OS is unavailable, and full feature access requires a Windows machine.

Linc OS is a first-generation platform with glitches. If you want something out of the box and ready to go, this will offer the basics, but you’ll need to wait for that stability.

For more network-attached storage, we've rounded up the best NAS hard drives.

Alastair is a photographer, filmmaker and tech writer who has been working in the publishing industry since the late 1990s. For more than 25 years he has covered photography, video and technology across Future's photography, technology and gaming brands. He runs a photography and video production company and lectures in TV and film. He can usually be found testing mini PCs or prototyping and prop building with the aid of 3D printing.

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• Linc Plus Linc Station E1 NAS review: An impressive 2+2 bay NAS — but the Linc OS still feels like it's in development

• The Linc Station E1 offers huge potential, but with a fast developing OS it's full feature set is still waiting to be rolled out