The two-bay NAS that doubles as a USB drive. Mainstream network-attached storage (NAS) solutions have evolved to such an extent that consumers can today pick from a wide range of affordable options knowing that the essentials - backup, media server, printer sharing and download client - will likely be taken care of with little fuss.

The likes of Synology, WD and Qnap are among the first brands to come to my mind, and if you're looking for a NAS that touts a little extra in terms of innovation and feature set, it's Qnap who tends to stand out from the crowd. In addition to offering a vast portfolio of traditional NAS solutions, the Taiwanese manufacturer has developed a taste for innovative features, unique form factors and varied usage scenarios.