11 hours ago
It looks like you're aiming for a 4-bay NAS, but you're open to 2-bay options if they offer better value. Since you're primarily using it for family photos and light movie streaming, here's a breakdown of the options you've mentioned:
QNAP TS-462
Pros: A solid 4-bay NAS with a quad-core CPU and HDMI output for direct media playback, which could be useful if you want to connect it directly to a TV. It's a good choice if you're planning to expand your storage in the future. The price might be on the higher side, but it’s a solid, reliable NAS for both storage and media streaming.
Cons: Might be a bit overkill if you’re only using it for light streaming and photo storage right now.
QNAP TS-264
Pros: 2-bay NAS, much cheaper than the TS-462, with good performance for its price. It supports 4K media streaming, so it could easily handle your light movie streaming needs. It’s compact and ideal if you don’t need to expand beyond 2 drives for a while.
Cons: Limited to 2 bays, so storage expansion could become an issue if your needs grow.
ASUS DRIVESTOR 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2
Pros: Offers a 4-bay configuration with an affordable price tag. Good for storing photos and movies, with the option to expand as your needs grow. ASUS is known for reliable hardware at a good price, so it’s worth considering.
Cons: While it offers decent performance, its software and features might not be as extensive as QNAP or Synology's offerings.
Recommendation:
If you're looking for the best value for money, the QNAP TS-264 seems like a great fit for your needs. It’s cheaper, and its 2-bay configuration is likely all you need for now, especially if you're mainly storing photos and streaming movies lightly. However, if you really want to future-proof your setup and don't mind spending a bit more, the QNAP TS-462 would give you more flexibility with 4 bays.
If you do want to go the DIY route and save some money, building your own NAS could offer more customization options, but it does come with added complexity and might not be worth the effort if you're looking for a hassle-free solution.
QNAP TS-462
Pros: A solid 4-bay NAS with a quad-core CPU and HDMI output for direct media playback, which could be useful if you want to connect it directly to a TV. It's a good choice if you're planning to expand your storage in the future. The price might be on the higher side, but it’s a solid, reliable NAS for both storage and media streaming.
Cons: Might be a bit overkill if you’re only using it for light streaming and photo storage right now.
QNAP TS-264
Pros: 2-bay NAS, much cheaper than the TS-462, with good performance for its price. It supports 4K media streaming, so it could easily handle your light movie streaming needs. It’s compact and ideal if you don’t need to expand beyond 2 drives for a while.
Cons: Limited to 2 bays, so storage expansion could become an issue if your needs grow.
ASUS DRIVESTOR 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2
Pros: Offers a 4-bay configuration with an affordable price tag. Good for storing photos and movies, with the option to expand as your needs grow. ASUS is known for reliable hardware at a good price, so it’s worth considering.
Cons: While it offers decent performance, its software and features might not be as extensive as QNAP or Synology's offerings.
Recommendation:
If you're looking for the best value for money, the QNAP TS-264 seems like a great fit for your needs. It’s cheaper, and its 2-bay configuration is likely all you need for now, especially if you're mainly storing photos and streaming movies lightly. However, if you really want to future-proof your setup and don't mind spending a bit more, the QNAP TS-462 would give you more flexibility with 4 bays.
If you do want to go the DIY route and save some money, building your own NAS could offer more customization options, but it does come with added complexity and might not be worth the effort if you're looking for a hassle-free solution.