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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
