NAS = High Margin?

[iwod]

It seems NAS are generally using Open Source OS and some cheap components. While the software may not be totally free. It still much cheaper then building or buying from Microsoft.

The hardware are some very slow and small components. For the same price most of us could have built a 10 times faster PC.

After years the price of NAS hasn't dropped a bit even the technology is moving at such rapid pace.
And even though they haven't dropped price, they haven't been getting faster either.

So are NAS = cashcow?

[thiggins]

The hardware are some very slow and small components. For the same price most of us could have built a 10 times faster PC.
How about an example?

And even though they haven't dropped price, they haven't been getting faster either.
Really? Go do some homework with the NAS Charts and use the gigabit benchmarks (100 Mbps limits the performance on faster NASes)
One example is the Qnap TS-101 and TS-109 Pro. Or a Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation and a LinkStation Pro

[iwod]

How about an example?

HP 's WHS? That is an high performance NAS using standard PC component. Although not using open source OS.

D-Links DNS 323 and 321, 2 years later and we have virtually the same NAS with less function for less price. ( And admittedly slower performance as well ).