Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ reviewed by ServeTheHome in 2020 was a compact, storage-focused desktop NAS with five 3.5-inch bays, two 2.5-inch bays, and dual onboard 10GbE. Its strongest case was for technically confident users who wanted a prebuilt ZFS appliance and valued 10GbE, IPMI, and integrated drive management. Its trade-offs were noticeable fan noise, awkward service access, and compute performance better suited to lighter workloads than demanding virtualization.
What the 2020 review tested
ServeTheHome published Eric Smith’s review on December 30, 2020. The test system ran TrueNAS Core 12 and used an Intel Atom C3758 SoC. It was a review of that appliance and configuration—not a statement of current availability, pricing, or software status. ServeTheHome’s full review and its Mini X versus Mini X+ comparison are the primary references for the findings below.
What hardware fits in the Mini X+
The Mini X+ uses a desktop enclosure measuring 8.25 × 10.5 × 9.5 inches (210 × 267 × 241 mm), rather than a rackmount chassis. It provides five 3.5-inch SATA bays and two 2.5-inch SATA bays. The front door locks, as do the larger drive bays, and a SATA DOM holds the operating system so the drive bays can be used for storage.
The review describes a 250W 80Plus Bronze power supply and a normal starting memory configuration of 32GB ECC. The test unit had 64GB. Smith also reported having operated it with 128GB, although iXsystems stated upgradeability to 64GB; that observation is not a guarantee that 128GB is officially supported.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Network and management
Two RJ45 10Gbase-T ports are built in. The reviewed unit also had an optional Chelsio T520 dual SFP+ adapter, and the system has a single PCIe expansion slot. Rear connections include out-of-band management, VGA, and USB. The review describes Supermicro IPMI features including remote reboot, HTML5 iKVM, and remote media mounting. TrueNAS also showed drive health in a chassis view that mapped status to each drive’s physical location.
Performance: strong storage connectivity, limited compute ambitions
The Atom C3758 results were in line with the reviewer’s expectations for this class of system. Smith’s conclusion was that the Mini X+ was better suited to lighter VM workloads than demanding, converged workloads. The KVM results were very low and inconsistent, so this is not the appliance to choose on the assumption that its storage hardware also makes it a powerful virtualization host.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Drive and pool configuration matter
For the storage test, the reviewer used WD Red Plus 10TB drives without cache and configured RAID-Z2 for an iSCSI BlackMagic Disk Speed Test. The result was described as acceptable, but not sufficient for every 4K use case. Those results describe that specific drive, pool, and test setup; different disks and pool configurations can change performance.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →10GbE results
The Mini X+ comparison identifies dual 10GbE as a key difference from the Mini X’s quad 1GbE. In Smith’s network test, the Chelsio SFP+ adapter was slightly faster than onboard 10Gbase-T, while overall performance remained effectively even. Peak CPU use was reported as 68% with SFP+ and 75% with 10Gbase-T. That makes 10GbE a practical differentiator, but the small measured difference does not establish a universal advantage for one interface across other networks or workloads.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Power, noise, and serviceability
ServeTheHome measured 89W idle in its fully loaded test unit and more than 200W under load in its maximum-style test setup. The review also cites iXsystems specification figures of “Diskless: 40W / With drives & 10G Add-on-card: 111W.” These are not like-for-like readings: the review’s own measurements came from a more fully configured test system, so they should not be compared as though all configurations matched.
Noise was a more immediate day-to-day concern. The reviewer measured 36 dBA at one meter in a room measured at 25 dBA, and described the sound as noticeable in a quiet environment. Smith also criticized the number of screws and obstacles involved in accessing the interior. For a system expected to sit near a desk or be opened regularly, those are meaningful drawbacks.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Build or buy: what the historical comparison tells you
In its 2020 comparison, ServeTheHome put the Mini X+ at a $250 premium over the Mini X. The X+ offered an Atom C3758 instead of a C3558, dual 10GbE instead of quad 1GbE, and 16GB more RAM. Smith considered the premium worthwhile for most buyers unless it exceeded their budget. Those figures and product comparisons are historical, not current offers.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The review also compared buying the appliance with assembling a similar system. It listed a 2020 base-system price of $1,149 and example component prices of $515 for a Supermicro A2SDi-H-TF motherboard, $180 for 32GB of memory, and $40 for a 16GB SATADOM. The reviewer estimated about $750 for those components plus a fan, before adding a chassis and power supply. The remaining roughly $400 was framed as covering the enclosure, power supply, cooling, CPU heatsink, cabling, assembly and testing, reduced research effort, and TrueNAS enclosure integration.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
That comparison explains the value proposition, not what the appliance or components cost today. A build-your-own NAS may make sense if you want to select every component and are willing to do the integration work. The prebuilt case is strongest when the compact enclosure, hot-swap bays, IPMI, and chassis-aware TrueNAS integration justify paying for a ready-to-run system.
Who should consider the Mini X+
- A good fit: technically confident users committed to TrueNAS Core who want dense desktop storage, dual onboard 10GbE, IPMI, and the option of SFP+ expansion.
- A weaker fit: buyers who need quiet operation in a quiet room, frequent easy internal access, or substantial compute capacity for heavy virtualization.
- Consider another interface: if your main goal is a straightforward file drop, the review regarded TrueNAS Core as a power-user platform with a steeper learning curve than Synology or QNAP interfaces.
The review scored the Mini X+ 9.1 overall, with category scores of 9.2 for design and aesthetics, 9.0 for performance, 9.1 for feature set, and 9.3 for value. These are ServeTheHome’s ratings, not independent lab standards. Its final judgment was favorable for buyers specifically looking for a prebuilt TrueNAS Core system.
Because this review and its software configuration date to 2020, it does not establish the Mini X+’s current availability, price, warranty, support terms, or present software version. Treat the historical comparison and TrueNAS Core 12 details as context for evaluating the reviewed unit, not as current purchasing information.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
