# ASUSTOR AS1202T and AS1204T Review: Drivestor 2 Gen2 and Drivestor 4 Gen2

Two budget ASUSTOR NAS models share one processor, one memory size and one network port. The real choice is bays and RAID, and this review shows where both run out of room.

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> Published: 22 October 2026
> Last updated: 22 October 2026
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**The ASUSTOR AS1202T and AS1204T are affordable network-attached storage devices designed for storing files and backups, not replacing a home server. A NAS (network-attached storage, a storage device that stays on your home network) connects to your router so computers, phones and TVs can use the same storage, much like a shared filing cabinet that every device can open. Both models suit backups, photo libraries and direct media playback, but their fixed 1 GB memory and ARM processor make them poor choices for heavy application use, virtual machines or Plex transcoding.**

> **Note:** **In short:** The Drivestor 2 Gen2 and Drivestor 4 Gen2 share the same processor, memory and network design. Buy according to the number of drive bays and protection options you need, not because you expect the four-bay model to be a substantially more powerful computer.

**Choose the AS1202T if** one or two people need two mirrored drives at the lowest entry cost. **Choose the AS1204T if** you want four bays and RAID 5 or RAID 6, methods that spread data and recovery information across several drives, like dividing a document and its repair instructions among multiple boxes. **Look elsewhere if** you need Plex transcoding, lots of simultaneous apps, virtual machines or upgradeable memory.

## AS1202T and AS1204T Specifications

| Feature | AS1202T | AS1204T |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name | Drivestor 2 Gen2 | Drivestor 4 Gen2 |
| CPU | Realtek RTD1619B | Realtek RTD1619B |
| Architecture | ARM64 64-bit | ARM64 64-bit |
| Clock speed | Quad-core 1.7 GHz | Quad-core 1.7 GHz |
| Memory | 1 GB DDR4 | 1 GB DDR4 |
| Memory upgrade | Not expandable | Not expandable |
| Drive bays | 2 | 4 |
| Maximum drives with expansion units | 14 | 16 |
| RAID levels | Single, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1 | Single, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10 |
| Network | 1 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, supporting 2.5G, 1G and 100M | 1 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, supporting 2.5G, 1G and 100M |
| USB | 3 x USB 5Gbps Type-A, one front and two rear | 3 x USB 5Gbps Type-A, one front and two rear |
| HDMI | N/A | N/A |
| Fan | 1 x 70 mm | 1 x 120 mm |
| Power | ASUSTOR figures: 11.6 W operation; 5.97 W disk hibernation | ASUSTOR figures: 22.8 W operation; 9.41 W disk hibernation |
| Noise | ASUSTOR figure: 18.6 dB at HDD idle | ASUSTOR figure: 19.7 dB at HDD idle |
| Dimensions | 165 x 102 x 218 mm | 165 x 164 x 218 mm |
| Weight | 1.14 kg | 1.57 kg |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 40°C | 0 to 40°C |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |

## What the Two Models Share, and What Differs

The AS1202T and AS1204T use the same Realtek RTD1619B quad-core processor, fixed 1 GB DDR4 memory, 8 GB eMMC operating-system storage and single 2.5GbE network port. Here, 2.5GbE means a network connection rated for up to 2.5 gigabits per second, like widening a one-lane local road so more file traffic can pass at once.

Both have three USB 5Gbps Type-A ports, with one at the front and two at the rear. Neither has HDMI, and ASUSTOR lists no M.2 or PCIe slots. M.2 is a compact connection commonly used for solid-state storage, while PCIe is an expansion connection for add-in hardware, rather like having spare sockets inside a desktop computer.

RAID is a way of arranging data across multiple drives to provide capacity, speed or protection from a drive failure. It is like deciding whether several cupboards hold duplicate folders, separate folders or folders plus recovery instructions. The AS1202T supports Single, JBOD, RAID 0 and RAID 1, while the extra bays let the AS1204T add RAID 5, RAID 6 and RAID 10.

The remaining physical differences follow from bay count. The AS1202T is narrower, lighter and uses a 70 mm fan and 65 W adapter, while the AS1204T has a 120 mm fan and 90 W adapter. Both use a tool-free sliding cover and accept the listed 3.5-inch SATA hard-drive type.

## Who These Drivestor Gen2 Models Suit

These models suit a household or one-person office that needs central file storage, computer backups, phone-photo copies and a media library. They make sense when a USB drive has become awkward or cloud storage is no longer the preferred place for an expanding collection.

ADM, or ASUSTOR Data Master, is the operating system used to configure the NAS and install its apps. Think of ADM as the building manager for the shared filing cabinet: it creates users, controls access and decides which services can use the stored files. Buyers new to the platform can follow the [ASUSTOR NAS setup guide](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/asustor-nas-setup-guide-australia/) after choosing their drives.

ASUSTOR lists Cloud Backup Center, DataSync Center, Photo Gallery 3, LooksGood, Surveillance Center, EZ Connect and ADM Defender for these models. Surveillance Center includes four camera licences, with additional licences sold separately. For a practical phone workflow, the [Android photo backup guide](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/android-photo-backup-to-nas-guide/) explains how automatic copying fits into a broader backup plan.

The important condition is workload restraint. The 1 GB memory cannot be upgraded, so these appliances are best when storage and backup remain their main jobs. A buyer expecting to keep adding services should move to a model with more memory and an Intel-based processor.

## Performance: ARM Processor, 1 GB Memory and 2.5GbE

The shared Realtek RTD1619B is an ARM processor, a power-efficient chip architecture often used in storage appliances and embedded devices. Intel x86 processors use a different architecture and are generally the safer direction for heavier server applications; the comparison is like choosing a compact delivery van for routine routes instead of a larger truck for varied loads.

ASUSTOR describes the processor as a quad-core, 64-bit part running at 1.7 GHz and says it is faster than the 1.4 GHz processor in the first Drivestor generation. It also includes a built-in hardware encryption engine. Those specifications support the intended storage workload, but they do not overcome the restriction of 1 GB fixed memory.

ASUSTOR reports 209 MB/s read and 189 MB/s write for the AS1202T in RAID 1. For the AS1204T in RAID 5, ASUSTOR reports 266 MB/s read and 160 MB/s write. These are ASUSTOR laboratory results, not Need to Know IT measurements, and the vendor says performance can vary between environments.

The single 2.5GbE port provides more network capacity than ordinary Gigabit Ethernet when the rest of the local network can use it. Actual file-transfer speed still depends on the drives, RAID layout, files, client device and network path, just as a wide road does not prevent a slow vehicle or a narrow intersection from limiting a trip.

Need to Know IT reviewed ASUSTOR's specifications rather than conducting hands-on performance, heat or noise testing. The figures establish the hardware's intended class, but they should not be treated as guaranteed results in a particular home or office.

## Media Streaming and Plex

These Drivestor Gen2 models suit media libraries when the playback device can use the original video file. Direct play means the television or app reads that file without conversion, like opening a document in its existing format instead of translating it first.

Transcoding (converting video into another format or resolution while it is playing, so an incompatible device or connection can handle it) resembles an interpreter translating a live conversation, which requires extra processing throughout the session. ASUSTOR says its LooksGood app can use hardware decoding to transcode 10-bit 4K H.265 media, but that is a claim about ASUSTOR's own app rather than Plex capability.

Need to Know IT also reviewed the NAS compatibility list published by Plex (a media server app for streaming your own films and TV to your devices), which did not include the AS1202T or AS1204T when checked on 22 October 2026. Do not buy either model on the assumption that Plex hardware transcoding will work. Plan around direct play, check Plex's current list before buying and use the [Plex on ASUSTOR setup guide](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/plex-on-asustor-nas-setup-guide/) for the remaining setup decisions.

An Intel-based NAS is the more appropriate direction when Plex must regularly convert files for phones, remote viewers or older televisions. If every important playback device already handles the stored formats directly, the ARM processor is much less of a concern.

## Storage, RAID and Backup Features

The AS1202T's sensible protected layout is RAID 1, which writes the same data to two drives so either copy remains available after one drive fails. It is like writing the same letter twice and storing each copy in a different drawer. RAID 1 uses one drive's worth of usable capacity when two equal-sized drives are installed.

The AS1204T supports RAID 5, which distributes data and parity recovery information across at least three drives. Think of parity as a reconstruction note shared among several boxes: one missing box can be rebuilt from what remains. Across four drives, RAID 5 gives up one drive's worth of space to this protection.

RAID 6 stores enough recovery information to tolerate two drive failures and requires at least four drives. It is like keeping two independent sets of reconstruction notes, providing more fault tolerance while using more capacity for protection. The AS1204T also supports RAID scrubbing for RAID 5 and RAID 6, a consistency check that looks for problems in stored data and parity.

The [RAID explanation guide](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/nas-raid-explained/) goes deeper into these layouts, but the central warning is simple: RAID is not backup. RAID can keep a NAS available after certain drive failures, but it cannot independently protect against deletion, theft, malware, fire or a mistake copied across every drive.

Keep another copy of important data outside the NAS. The [RAID is not a backup guide](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/raid-is-not-a-backup/) explains the failure cases, while the [3-2-1 backup strategy](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/3-2-1-backup-strategy-nas-guide/) provides a practical structure: multiple copies, different storage types and one copy elsewhere.

Both support two file systems: EXT4 (a long-established Linux file system) and Btrfs (a newer file system that supports snapshots). Btrfs snapshots are point-in-time records that can help return files or folders to an earlier state, much like save points in a game, and ASUSTOR specifies support for 256 snapshots. Snapshots remain on the NAS, so they complement rather than replace a separate backup.

ASUSTOR (an Asus-linked NAS brand) lists SMB, AFP, NFS (a file-sharing protocol common on Linux and Unix systems), FTP, WebDAV, Rsync and iSCSI among the supported protocols. SMB is a network file-sharing protocol commonly used by Windows, acting like a shared office doorway through which authorised computers reach folders. Both models also support Wake on LAN and Wake on WAN.

## AS1202T or AS1204T: How to Choose

Start with the required usable capacity, protection level and likely growth rather than the enclosure price alone. Bay count is difficult to change later, so it should reflect how the library may grow over the NAS's useful life.

For one or two people with modest files and a clear preference for two mirrored drives, the AS1202T keeps the system simple. Its two bays make RAID 1 the straightforward protected arrangement, but both positions are occupied immediately.

The AS1204T provides more layout choices. RAID 5 across four drives uses one drive's worth of capacity for protection, while RAID 6 tolerates two failed drives at the cost of more usable space. Starting with fewer installed drives can also leave physical bays available for later growth, provided the chosen RAID migration path and compatible drives are checked before setup.

ASUSTOR specifies support for up to 14 drives on the AS1202T and 16 on the AS1204T when its expansion units are used. Those expansion units are sold separately. A buyer who already expects to need four internal bays should choose that enclosure directly instead of treating external expansion as the default plan.

## Limitations to Know Before You Buy

The defining limitation is the non-expandable 1 GB memory. It leaves little room for running many applications at once, and there is no later memory upgrade that changes the appliance's role. Virtual machines and broad home-server ambitions belong on more capable hardware.

Neither specification lists M.2 or PCIe expansion, and neither model provides HDMI. The single network port also means there is no second built-in connection for link redundancy. These omissions are consistent with a low-cost storage appliance, but they matter if the workload is expected to expand.

Plex buyers face an additional uncertainty because neither model appears on Plex's compatibility list. Direct play may still fit a carefully matched library and playback setup, but transcoding should not be assumed.

**Pros**
- Both models provide a 2.5GbE network port rather than only Gigabit Ethernet.
- The same 1.7 GHz quad-core processor gives both enclosures the same basic computing platform.
- Btrfs support includes up to 256 snapshots.
- Three USB ports and tool-free covers support straightforward storage use.
- The AS1204T adds RAID 5, RAID 6 and RAID 10 choices.

**Cons**
- The 1 GB memory cannot be expanded.
- No M.2 or PCIe slots are listed, and there is no HDMI output.
- Neither model appears on Plex's NAS compatibility list.
- These systems are not suitable for virtual machines or many simultaneous apps.

## Australian Buyers: What You Need to Know

The ASUSTOR AS1202T has a market price of about $301. The ASUSTOR AS1204T has a market price of about $454. Check the retailer before you buy, as prices move.

Both are stocked by many Australian computer retailers, although the AS1204T costs more. Compare the complete system by adding the current NAS and drive prices, then divide by usable capacity rather than raw drive capacity. The storage-sizing tool linked at the end can help establish the required capacity before drives are selected.

To estimate running cost, multiply watts by operating hours and the electricity rate on the current bill, while allowing for the NAS to move between active and hibernation states. The [NAS power calculator](https://needtoknowit.com.au/tools/power-calculator/) provides the method without relying on a stale electricity assumption.

Both models carry a three-year warranty according to ASUSTOR's specification pages; the [Australian NAS warranty and returns guide](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/nas-warranty-and-returns-australia/) explains who to contact. Your first step for a faulty product is usually the retailer that sold it. The ACCC explains your rights under the Australian Consumer Law at [accc.gov.au](https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees).

For remote access, the 2.5GbE local port is far faster than any home NBN upload, so the internet plan's upload controls speed away from home. CGNAT (Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation) is a system through which an internet provider places many households behind one public address and blocks direct inbound connections. It is like an apartment building sharing one street address without giving visitors a direct path to each unit.

ASUSTOR's EZ Connect relay can work around CGNAT by relaying the connection rather than requiring a direct inbound path. The [remote access and VPN guide](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/nas-remote-access-vpn-australia/) explains the security and connection choices.

ASUSTOR rates both enclosures for ambient temperatures from 0 to 40°C. Keep the NAS within that range, with clear airflow, if it will operate in a warm room or cupboard.

For more context on the brand's local range and support considerations, see the [ASUSTOR NAS guide for Australian buyers](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/asustor-nas-australia/). Buyers comparing this budget with the wider market can also consult the [budget NAS buying guide](https://needtoknowit.com.au/blog/best-nas-under-500-australia/).

## Verdict

The AS1202T is the better fit for a first-time buyer who needs inexpensive shared storage and two-drive mirroring for one or two people. The ASUSTOR AS1202T has a market price of about $301, but the enclosure should still be paired with a separate backup rather than relied on as the only copy.

The AS1204T makes the stronger long-term case when four bays, RAID 5, RAID 6 or internal room for growth matter. The ASUSTOR AS1204T has a market price of about $454, and its higher price buys storage flexibility rather than a faster processor or more memory.

Neither is the right choice for Plex transcoding, virtual machines or a growing collection of server apps. Both are deliberately limited ARM storage appliances, and an Intel-based NAS with more or upgradeable memory is the appropriate step up for those workloads.

## Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading: our [NAS buyer's guide](/blog/best-nas-australia/) and our [AU retailer guide](/blog/where-to-buy-nas-australia/).

**Q: Can I add more memory to the AS1202T or AS1204T?**

No. ASUSTOR specifies 1 GB of DDR4 memory for both models and marks it as not expandable. That amount is suitable for focused file storage, backups, photo management and light application use, but there is no upgrade path if the workload later needs substantially more memory.

**Q: Can the AS1204T run Plex?**

Do not buy the AS1204T on the assumption that it can transcode Plex video. Plex's NAS compatibility list did not include the AS1204T when Need to Know IT checked it on 22 October 2026. A direct-play library may fit, but buyers should check the current Plex list and confirm that their playback devices support the stored video formats.

**Q: Is 1 GB of memory enough for these NAS models?**

It is enough for the intended role of central file storage, routine backups, photo libraries and light app use. It is restrictive for many apps running together, and the memory cannot be expanded later. Buyers seeking a general-purpose home server should treat that fixed limit as a reason to choose a more capable system.

**Q: Should I buy the two-bay or four-bay model?**

Choose according to usable capacity, protection and expected growth. Two bays suit a simple RAID 1 mirror for one or two people, while four bays enable RAID 5, RAID 6 and RAID 10 and can leave more physical room to grow. Estimate future data growth before deciding because moving to a larger enclosure later creates another migration job.

**Q: Can I use RAID 5 on the AS1202T?**

No. ASUSTOR lists Single, JBOD, RAID 0 and RAID 1 for the two-bay AS1202T. RAID 5 needs at least three drives, so buyers who want that layout need the four-bay AS1204T or another enclosure with enough bays. Remember that RAID 5 protects against one drive failure but does not replace backup.

**Q: Is the AS1202T the same as the Drivestor 2 Lite?**

No. The AS1202T is the Drivestor 2 Gen2 covered in this review, while the Drivestor 2 Lite is a different model, the AS1102TL. Check the complete model code on the product page and invoice because the similar names do not identify the same hardware.

Ready to buy the AS1202T? This is our tracked Amazon AU affiliate link. Buying through it costs you nothing extra and supports independent, ad-free research.

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Not sure two bays or four? The NAS Sizing Wizard works out how many drives and bays your data actually needs.

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