Newbie needs a NAS......

[the_chang]

Hoping you can help.

Am new to all this NAS drives. Originally i was looking a Seagate or WD 4TB NAS drives off amazon but someone on the Mac forums has mentioned i should look Synology or Qnap drives as they are more reliable and has more functions.

My requirements are as follows,

• Must be capable of taking a 4TB drive
• Budget of around £200 - £240 including 4TB drive
• Used only for storing Movies, MP3's, Photos, Personal files
• Able to access via, Mac, Windows laptop, PS3, Ipad, Android phone when at home and away.
• Not too noisey
• Compact design
• Won't need expandability as 4TB will last me years
• Used for single home user

The NAS i've looked at are Synology DS112J or Qnap TS112.
As am looking to save cost as much i can, am looking at eBay and also at older models.

 

[stevech]

Hoping you can help.

Am new to all this NAS drives. Originally i was looking a Seagate or WD 4TB NAS drives off amazon but someone on the Mac forums has mentioned i should look Synology or Qnap drives as they are more reliable and has more functions.

My requirements are as follows,

• Must be capable of taking a 4TB drive
• Budget of around £200 - £240 including 4TB drive
• Used only for storing Movies, MP3's, Photos, Personal files
• Able to access via, Mac, Windows laptop, PS3, Ipad, Android phone when at home and away.
• Not too noisey
• Compact design
• Won't need expandability as 4TB will last me years
• Used for single home user

The NAS i've looked at are Synology DS112J or Qnap TS112.
As am looking to save cost as much i can, am looking at eBay and also at older models.

I studied long and chose a Synology DS212. Been problem free, easy to setup and forget. Automated backups, etc.
Be sure to buy a 2TB or more USB3 drive/external enclosure, to be the relocatable backup for all valuable folders/files. My DS212 is setup as two volumes, independent, not RAID1 because, IMO, RAID1 protects partially from drive failure but human error, theft, file system corruption, are more likely. I also rely on the Time Backup so I can revert to get an older file.

 

[the_chang]

I studied long and chose a Synology DS212. Been problem free, easy to setup and forget. Automated backups, etc.
Be sure to buy a 2TB or more USB3 drive/external enclosure, to be the relocatable backup for all valuable folders/files. My DS212 is setup as two volumes, independent, not RAID1 because, IMO, RAID1 protects partially from drive failure but human error, theft, file system corruption, are more likely. I also rely on the Time Backup so I can revert to get an older file.

Do you think the base model Synology DS112J be ok for my needs ?
i'll only be using 1 drive.

 

[stevech]

I would not get a 1-drive NAS; 2 drive minimum. Not for RAID1 reasons though, as explained above.

The DSx12 are circa 2012. They are fine, supported but if you can, try to get a newer NAS, like DSx13.

Check eBay etc. Buy disk-less then put in your own brand new drives - after shopping Newegg.com.