UnifyDrive UP6: The AI-Powered Mobile NAS That Aims to Replace the Laptop

DOVER, Del. – December 29, 2025 – For years, creative professionals in the field have been burdened by a delicate dance of devices: rugged drives for storage, a laptop for management, and a web of cables and power banks for survival. UnifyDrive, an innovator in network storage, today unveiled a device designed to end that dance: the UnifyDrive UP6. Billed as the world’s first AI-powered mobile Network Attached Storage (NAS), it integrates a touchscreen, a built-in battery backup, and workstation-grade processing into a single, backpack-friendly chassis.

The announcement signals a potential paradigm shift for photographers, videographers, researchers, and other data-heavy professionals who work far from the stability of a desk. The UP6 aims to create an entirely new product category, condensing the functionality of an entire Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) cart into a device that promises to streamline workflows, secure data, and cut the cord from both laptops and power outlets.

A New Breed of Field Infrastructure

Traditional mobile storage solutions have always involved a compromise. Portable SSDs are fast but unintelligent, requiring a host computer to organize, preview, or back up files. Conventional NAS units offer network features but are typically underpowered, tethered to an AC adapter, and managed through a clunky web interface on another device. The UnifyDrive UP6 was engineered to eliminate these compromises.

"We realized that professionals were carrying a NAS for storage, a laptop for management, and a battery for safety," said Josh, Product Director at UnifyDrive, in the official announcement. "By combining workstation-level performance with a visual interface and battery protection, we’ve condensed an entire DIT cart into a device that fits in a backpack."

This vision is embodied in the device's unique form factor. The all-flash unit is built around a 6-inch high-resolution touchscreen, which serves as the primary command center. This allows users to perform tasks directly on the device that would otherwise require a laptop—from offloading memory cards with a single tap to previewing 8K footage, managing user permissions, and configuring network settings.

Workstation Performance, Untethered

At the core of the UP6 is a significant departure from typical NAS architecture. Instead of a low-power ARM processor, UnifyDrive has equipped the device with an Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 125H processor. This chip not only provides robust computing power but also includes an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 11 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second).

This processing muscle translates into true workstation-level capabilities in the field. The UP6 can handle demanding tasks like real-time 8K video transcoding, a feat previously reserved for high-end desktop computers. Its all-flash NVMe architecture, configurable with up to 48TB of storage and a massive 96GB of DDR5 memory, delivers the sustained high-speed read and write performance necessary for multi-user, collaborative editing directly from the drive. This allows an entire creative team to connect and work on massive project files simultaneously, even in a remote location without an established network.

The inclusion of the NPU is not just for raw power; it’s the engine behind the device's most forward-thinking feature: on-device AI.

An Intelligent and Private Workflow

The UP6’s built-in touchscreen provides a visual interface, but its intelligence is what sets it apart. UnifyDrive has developed a local AI engine that runs entirely on the NPU, enabling powerful file management without ever sending data to the cloud. This is a critical distinction for professionals handling sensitive information.

Users can perform complex, natural language searches directly on the device. For example, a documentarian could search for "drone footage of mountains at sunset," or a legal professional could query "contracts signed in Q3 2024," and the UP6 will locate the relevant files instantly by analyzing metadata and, potentially, content.

Crucially, this entire process is self-contained. By keeping the AI processing local, UnifyDrive ensures total data privacy. Unreleased media assets, confidential financial records, and sensitive research data remain securely on the device, firewalled from the vulnerabilities of cloud-based AI services. This focus on privacy is a direct answer to the growing concerns of data-sensitive industries where security is non-negotiable.

Power Independence and Professional Connectivity

A common point of failure in any mobile workflow is power. An accidental plug pull or a depleted battery can lead to corrupted data and lost work. The UnifyDrive UP6 addresses this head-on with an integrated Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). This built-in battery can power the device for up to two hours of off-grid operation, ensuring that file transfers complete and data remains safe during power fluctuations or disconnections.

For longer sessions, the device breaks free from proprietary power bricks. It supports 100W Power Delivery (PD) via its USB-C ports, allowing it to be charged and operated with the same standard laptop chargers or high-capacity power banks that professionals already carry.

This philosophy of universal compatibility extends to its connectivity. The UP6 is designed to be the central hub of a mobile production environment. It features dual Thunderbolt™ 4 ports for maximum data throughput, a 10GbE Ethernet port for high-speed wired networking, and an HDMI 2.1 port for 4K 60fps playback on external monitors for on-set review.

To further streamline the data ingestion process, it includes built-in slots for SD, TF, and CFexpress cards, enabling true "shoot-to-backup" functionality without needing a computer or separate card reader. For collaborative work in remote areas, the device can even function as a Wi-Fi 6 access point, creating its own secure, high-speed local network for multiple users.

The UnifyDrive UP6 is available for preorder starting today, with shipping scheduled for early January 2026. By integrating high-performance computing, intelligent software, and robust power and connectivity into one portable unit, UnifyDrive is not just launching a new product; it's proposing a new, more efficient way for professionals to work anywhere.