Hi. I’m mainly a Mac user and about to upgrade my Mac hardware. Their storage is quite expensive when speccing a product hence the thought of having a NAS system which would benefit not only me, but also my wife. Been watching a lot of your videos, and the products which I’m gravitating towards is the QNap,TS 464-8g or the Synology DS 1522+. Multimedia is important to me and the idea of ripping blu- rays onto a NAS drive to play anywhere is appealing (QNap) but the more user friendly and more secure software of the Synology is less scary! So question is, which would be the one would suit my needs more and offer the most future proofing as time moves on. A couple of additional questions,
Can I hot swap hard drives when I need to replace or upgrade without data loss
Can I mix different capacities within the NAS bays
Can Drobo be considered as an option?
Many thanks in advance
Rich
Hey Rich,
Thanks for reaching out! Both the QNAP TS-464-8G and the Synology DS1522+ are excellent choices, each with its own strengths. The QNAP TS-464-8G offers robust multimedia capabilities, making it perfect for storing and streaming Blu-ray rips. On the other hand, the Synology DS1522+ provides a more user-friendly experience and highly secure software, ideal for those prioritizing ease of use and data protection.
In terms of future-proofing, the Synology DS1522+ might edge out slightly due to its more mature software ecosystem and frequent updates. However, both NAS models should serve you well for years to come.
Regarding your additional questions:
Yes, both the QNAP and Synology NAS systems support hot-swapping hard drives, allowing you to replace or upgrade drives without any data loss, as long as you follow the proper procedures.
You can mix different capacities within the Synology only NAS bays, although it's generally recommended to use drives of the same capacity for optimal performance and efficiency.
While Drobo is a reputable brand in the NAS market, it's worth noting that QNAP and Synology are more popular choices among enthusiasts and professionals due to their extensive feature sets and robust software ecosystems. However, if Drobo meets your specific requirements and budget, it could certainly be considered as an option.