my first NAS

[Enquiries]

Hello Team,
Looking for my first NAS to keep all my data, backup pc, android, iPhone and two way sync with pCloud (I understand it is not natively support). Also to keep and edit RAW file as hobbyist photographer. Start with one 4TB and add another 4TB at later time for redundancy.

Thanks,
Stanley

[ed]

For your budget of around $400 USD, you’re looking at the entry-level to mid-range 2-bay NAS category. Both Synology and QNAP have good options here.

Synology Option:
• Synology DS224+
A great choice if you want something very easy to set up and manage, with excellent apps for PC, Android, and iPhone backups, and the polished Synology Photos app for organizing your RAW files and photos. You can start with a single 4TB now in Basic mode and add the second drive later to convert to SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) for redundancy. It also supports Btrfs for snapshots and better data integrity.

QNAP Option:
• QNAP TS-262
Comparable hardware to the Synology with some extra flexibility — it has HDMI output (if you’d ever want to hook it to a TV) and supports QNAP’s Hybrid Backup Sync and Qphoto for backups and photo management. QNAP’s interface is a little more technical than Synology’s, but it offers more control if you like to tinker.

Notes:
• Both can work around pCloud’s lack of native support by using tools like rclone or mounting WebDAV on the NAS.
• RAW files: either NAS is great for storage and viewing, but you’ll still do actual editing on your PC.
• Drives: stick with NAS-rated drives like WD Red Plus or Seagate IronWolf when you buy your 4TB now and the second drive later.
• File system: if you go Synology, I recommend setting up Btrfs.

If you want simplicity and a more polished experience, go Synology. If you want more features and flexibility, QNAP is a strong alternative. Either way, you’ll have a capable NAS that can grow with you.