- Lenovo presented a 3.5-inch mock-up of an ‘AI storage device’, which could be a portable SSD, a NAS or something new
- Not a product announcement, but a proof of concept
- But the presence of a red ring on one of the ports may indicate that it is a ThinkStorage product
Lenovo has unveiled a new concept device at CES called “AI storage”which could be the company’s first AI-enabled NAS (Network Attached Storage).
The apparent prototype features a minimalist, space-saving design with ventilation grilles on the right side for active or passive cooling.
The 3.5-inch mock-up could be more than a traditional NAS, in that it could also function as a portable SSD, or serve an entirely new purpose, pushing the boundaries between storage and AI integration fade.
A smarter future for storage?
The concept image shows that this device supports a standard RJ45 Ethernet port, accompanied by dual status LEDs. These could indicate active connectivity or possibly the association with Lenovo’s ThinkStorage branding.
A visible USB-C port should enable fast data transfer via USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt protocols. There’s also another USB-C port marked with a distinctive red ring, presumably for power.
It is important to note that a large number of concept devices never make it to market. Whether this device will grow into a full-fledged NAS or work as a versatile storage solution remains to be seen.