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For your use case, where you need to support both Plex streaming (with hardware transcoding) and Apple Time Machine backups, I recommend considering the QNAP TVS-874 series or Synology DS923+. Both of these models will give you a great balance between performance, storage expansion, and quiet operation, and they support the features you're looking for.
Here’s why:
Plex & Hardware Transcoding:
QNAP TVS-874 series comes with Intel i5 processors and supports hardware transcoding (via Intel Quick Sync), making it perfect for managing multiple devices streaming at once, especially as your family grows.
The Synology DS923+ also has a good CPU (AMD Ryzen) and is a solid choice for Plex, though you might need to add a GPU for hardware transcoding for smoother performance under heavy load.
Quiet Operation: Both of these NAS models are designed for home office environments and are relatively quiet. If you're particularly concerned about noise, consider using SSDs for the OS and Plex library, as they’re quieter than HDDs and will still provide excellent speed for media access.
Time Machine Backups: Both NAS models have Time Machine compatibility built into their DSM (Synology) and QTS (QNAP) software, allowing seamless backup for your Apple devices.
Storage & Expandability:
With QNAP TVS-874, you get 4 bays, which gives you ample room for your needs and the ability to expand in the future.
Synology DS923+ is a great 4-bay NAS, but its expandability via expansion units gives you flexibility if you need more storage down the road.
With your budget of $2,000 to $3,000, you should be able to get a NAS with ample storage and performance to handle your Plex server, hardware transcoding, and backup needs.
For your use case, where you need to support both Plex streaming (with hardware transcoding) and Apple Time Machine backups, I recommend considering the QNAP TVS-874 series or Synology DS923+. Both of these models will give you a great balance between performance, storage expansion, and quiet operation, and they support the features you're looking for.
Here’s why:
Plex & Hardware Transcoding:
QNAP TVS-874 series comes with Intel i5 processors and supports hardware transcoding (via Intel Quick Sync), making it perfect for managing multiple devices streaming at once, especially as your family grows.
The Synology DS923+ also has a good CPU (AMD Ryzen) and is a solid choice for Plex, though you might need to add a GPU for hardware transcoding for smoother performance under heavy load.
Quiet Operation: Both of these NAS models are designed for home office environments and are relatively quiet. If you're particularly concerned about noise, consider using SSDs for the OS and Plex library, as they’re quieter than HDDs and will still provide excellent speed for media access.
Time Machine Backups: Both NAS models have Time Machine compatibility built into their DSM (Synology) and QTS (QNAP) software, allowing seamless backup for your Apple devices.
Storage & Expandability:
With QNAP TVS-874, you get 4 bays, which gives you ample room for your needs and the ability to expand in the future.
Synology DS923+ is a great 4-bay NAS, but its expandability via expansion units gives you flexibility if you need more storage down the road.
With your budget of $2,000 to $3,000, you should be able to get a NAS with ample storage and performance to handle your Plex server, hardware transcoding, and backup needs.