What is wireless external storage?
Wireless external storage is a storage drive that connects to a computer over a wireless network instead of a cable. The drive sits on the local network, and computers, phones and thin clients read and write files on it over Wi-Fi. Users can also attach a USB drive to a computer and share it over the network. Wireless storage removes the need for a direct cable connection and lets several devices use the same files.
How wireless storage connects to a computer
A wireless storage setup depends on the network and the device. The computer must have Wi-Fi, and the storage must join the same network. Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard and the signal quality. Dual Band Wi-Fi supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, and the 5 GHz band gives faster transfers over short distances. A wired USB or Ethernet connection gives more stable and faster transfers than Wi-Fi for large files.
Key specifications to check
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Wi-Fi standard: Dual Band Wi-Fi or WiFi 6 supports faster wireless transfers.
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Storage capacity: SSD capacity from 512GB to 1TB holds large file libraries.
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USB ports: USB ports let you attach an external drive to the computer for network sharing.
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Ethernet: Dual LAN ports provide a wired network connection for stable file transfers.
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Memory: More RAM helps the computer handle large file transfers and multiple users.
Comparison of Thinvent options
| Model | Wireless | Storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thinvent Micro 5R Thin Client | WiFi 6 and Bluetooth | 16GB eMMC | Light file access, thin client use |
| Thinvent Micro 6 Pro Mini PC | Dual Antenna WiFi | 32GB eMMC | Light file access, embedded Linux |
| Thinvent Treo Mini PC | Dual Band WiFi | 512GB SSD | Shared file storage, desktop use |
| Thinvent Aero Mini PC | Dual Band WiFi | 512GB SSD | Shared file storage, desktop use |
| Thinvent Industrial PC IPC5 (1TB model) | Dual Band WiFi | 1TB SSD | Large file storage, industrial use |
Thinvent products for wireless file access
Thinvent has mini PCs and industrial PCs with Wi-Fi and SSD storage that can act as the computer side of a wireless storage setup. The Thinvent Treo Mini PC and Thinvent Aero Mini PC include Dual Band WiFi and 512GB SSD storage. The Thinvent Industrial PC IPC5 includes Dual LAN, Dual Band WiFi and up to 1TB SSD storage. The Thinvent Micro 5R Thin Client and Thinvent Micro 6 Pro Mini PC include WiFi 6 and eMMC storage for light, always-on file access. The Thinvent range does not include a dedicated wireless storage drive with its own built-in Wi-Fi.
