--- description: Brian invited Genius Lab Guy Kevin O'Brien to step out of his comfort zone and answer burning questions from the community and a few topics pulled from... title: "Podcast #107: Q and A From The Lab With Kevin OBrien" image: https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/black-l-ight-blue-modern-gaming-live-streaming-youtube-thumbnail-Presentation-169-1000-×-1000-px-5.png --- [![Storage Review]()](https://storagereview.com/) --- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/@storagereview) [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.twitter.com/storagereview) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/storagereview/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storagereview-com) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/storagereview?sub_confirmation=1) [Email](mailto:info@storagereview.com) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1y6VnznABhHeOSMOmbDTz0) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/StorageReview/) [Discord](https://discord.gg/TwMHb4azdC) [RSS Feed](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@storagereview) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/@storagereview) [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/storagereview) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/storagereview/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storagereview-com) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/storagereview?sub_confirmation=1) [Email](mailto:info@storagereview.com) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1y6VnznABhHeOSMOmbDTz0) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/StorageReview/) [Discord](https://discord.gg/TwMHb4azdC) [RSS Feed](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@storagereview) [![StorageReview.com](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Storage-Review-2x.png)](https://www.storagereview.com) ≡ Menu - [Home](https://www.storagereview.com/) - [Storage Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/review) - [End User Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/consumer) - [Enterprise Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/enterprise) - [Ubiquiti Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/best/ubiquiti-reviews) - [SR Merch](https://store.storagereview.com) - [Leaderboards](https://www.storagereview.com/best) - [Best Storage Arrays](https://www.storagereview.com/best/storage-arrays) - [Best Enterprise SSDs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/enterprise-ssds) - [Best Servers](https://www.storagereview.com/best/servers) - [Best Enterprise GPUs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/enterprise-gpus) - [Best Desktops for Local AI](https://www.storagereview.com/best/desktops-local-ai) - [Best Laptops for Local AI](https://www.storagereview.com/best/laptops-local-ai) - [Best Local LLM Tools](https://www.storagereview.com/best/local-llm-tools) - [Agentic AI Hardware](https://www.storagereview.com/best/agentic-ai-hardware) - [Best SSDs & Hard Drives](https://www.storagereview.com/best_drives) - [Best Portable SSDs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/portable-ssds) - [Best Business Laptops](https://www.storagereview.com/best/business-laptops) - [Best Mobile Workstations](https://www.storagereview.com/best/mobile-workstations) - [Best Desktop Workstations](https://www.storagereview.com/best/desktop-workstations) - [Best Mini PCs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/mini-pcs) - [Best Laptop Battery Life](https://www.storagereview.com/best/laptop-battery-life) - [Storage Reference Guide](https://www.storagereview.com/storage-reference-guide) - [About SR](https://www.storagereview.com/about-storagereview) - [StorageReview.com Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations](https://www.storagereview.com/storagereview-com-sweepstakes-rules-and-regulations) Search [Home](https://www.storagereview.com/) » [Podcast](https://www.storagereview.com/podcast) » Podcast #107: Q and A From The Lab With Kevin OBrien # Podcast #107: Q and A From The Lab With Kevin OBrien by Harold Fritts on July 26, 2022 [Enterprise](https://www.storagereview.com/enterprise) Brian invited Genius Lab Guy Kevin O’Brien to step out of his comfort zone and answer burning questions from the community and a few topics pulled from social media. ![](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/storagereview-lab-crime-scene-e1658689961166.png) Kevin has been with StorageReview.com for over 11 years, with his first role as a Managing Editor, directing the Enterprise Test Lab and finding ways to test the next generation of storage devices in new and challenging ways. He would step out of the lab and put on his managing editor hat to review content for our site’s enterprise and consumer sections. After a couple of years in the managing editor role, Kevin moved to Lab director overseeing the day-to-day operations of the StorageReview.com Test Lab, building company relationships to grow lab resources, and researching new testing methodology to incorporate into reviews. In addition to running the lab, performing evaluations, developing test scenarios, and working with vendors, Kevin takes time to review some of the content for technical accuracy before it gets published. Kevin rarely goes one-on-one with Brian, so give this one a view. 00:00 Introduction - Recap of vendors that have come through the lab 02:00 Question #1 - What is the best NAS? - Synology vs QNAP vs TrueNAS - A matter of trust - What works well with modern devices - Security gotchas - Features - Innovation 11:00 Question #2 - Caddies - Why do we need them - Cost - Smart designs 14:00 Question #3 - Advice on Networking - What’s with the fiber? - Cables - The environment will dictate cable selection 17:00 Question #4 - Lenovo P620 - Why not build your own? - Fans on DRAM - Disadvantages to Build Your Own - System operating models 20:00 Question #5 - Dell ME5 - Buy or build your own? - Costs - NVMe is ready for primetime - Storage at branch offices - The lower end of SMB - Pricing from big players vs. smaller vendors - HPE GreenLake - On-Premises vs. Cloud - If your costs are inching toward $10k-$15K, it might be time to look at enterprise kit 28:00 Question #6 - Why are there so many batteries in the office? - And why are there so many portable power station reviews on the site? - There are more systems - More interest from the community - Power grids are not as reliable - More reliance on portable energy - More use cases - Edge - Retail 33:00 Wrap-up Let us know if you like this format, and we will do more in the future. 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"Opens in a new window") |  [RSS Feed](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) ♫ [Pod-107.mp3](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Pod-107.mp3 "Opens in a new window") ![]() ### Harold Fritts I have been in the tech industry since IBM created Selectric. My background, though, is writing. So I decided to get out of the pre-sales biz and return to my roots, doing a bit of writing but still being involved in technology. Previous post: [#106: AWS Snow Family Deep Dive](https://www.storagereview.com/podcast/106-aws-snow-family-deep-dive) Next post: [Podcast #108: HCI at the Edge](https://www.storagereview.com/podcast/podcast-108-hci-at-the-edge) Trusted Vendors Products and solutions from our affiliate partners: - [ ![Ubiquiti Logo](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2-1.webp) Ubiquiti ](https://store.ui.com/us/en?a_aid=StorageReview "Opens in a new window") - [ ![Newegg Logo](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/newegg.webp) Newegg ](https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=g5terNMDhz0&offerid=1207190.18&subid=0&type=4 "Opens in a new window") - [ ![Amazon Logo](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/amazon.webp) Amazon ](https://amzn.to/4fLJUEW "Opens in a new window") Newsletter Subscribe to the StorageReview newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and reviews. 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