Anyone recommend a 4TB NAS Drive ??

[vim147]

Can anyone recommend a 4TB NAS drive for under £200 ?

I've been looking at these two model,

1. Seagate
2. WD

These both includes a USB port but thats only for expanding the size.
I would like a USB port so that i have the option to connect to a computer so i can transfer files onto it if i have to take the NAS somewhere else.

I've also seen things called 'Business Storage NAS drive' which are a bit more bulky in size. Not sure what the difference is though.

My drive will only be used to store Movies/MP3's on so that i can access wirelessly via Mac Mini, Ipad, PS3, Android Phone remotely.

 

[Jurisprudence]

You are probably going to limit yourself looking for a usb connected NAS. As a general rule NAS devices are ethernet based, its the more reliable protocol for networking. Why not get an ethernet to usb adapter to attach the NAS to usb as you need it. Something like this has received good reviews for throughput (many are appalling).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-RJ...qid=1392236042&sr=8-1&keywords=startech+usb+3

That way if you change NAS device later on you won't be faced with the same dilemma of finding another NAS with USB connectivity.

 

[Jurisprudence]

Go for Seagate, WD comes with certain problems at times. My friend had an experience and based on that I recommend to go with Seagate.

Can you elaborate on what the issue was and what 'certain problems' means. I've been using HDD's for over 20 yrs and had every manufacturers drive fail at one point or another. Its very much dependent on the product generation and often particular drive model (see IBM's Deathstar wows). No offence but your comment is just too 'blanket' and broad.

I've personally had great experiences with both Seagate & WD and reason to use their RMA procedures. Just on RMA, from a basis of support in Ireland, they had the swifter & less troublesome process but everyones experience can vary.

Storage Review forums http://www.storagereview.com/ are a good place to start or http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/ forums for NAS and networking info from down to earth experienced members.

 

[Mago]

Consider build your own, using Ubuntu Server or Nas4Free not that complicated and cheap (use a mini-itx board with embeded cpu. 2 gb ram and 2 or more hdd) the server will cost you about 150$ w/o HDD, loaded may cost from 350" for 2x2gb and so on.

On the web you'll find lots of guides, Nas4Free is the simplest, dont require comand line, every thing is handled thru web interface, Ubuntu of course more flexible and powerfull will require you to imput some comand line and edit some config. files. but this absolutely WORTH.

If you want the best, get an mini-itx board with 4-6 sata ports, get 4-6 HDD and format the Array with RaidZ2 and you'll get A ÜBER-SAFE nas capable to deal withDOUBLE disc Failure w/o data loss or system stop.

 

[Chippy99]

Can anyone recommend a 4TB NAS drive for under £200 ?

I've been looking at these two model,

1. Seagate
2. WD

These both includes a USB port but thats only for expanding the size.
I would like a USB port so that i have the option to connect to a computer so i can transfer files onto it if i have to take the NAS somewhere else.

I've also seen things called 'Business Storage NAS drive' which are a bit more bulky in size. Not sure what the difference is though.

My drive will only be used to store Movies/MP3's on so that i can access wirelessly via Mac Mini, Ipad, PS3, Android Phone remotely.

If you could stretch your budget just a little bit, you'd be far better off (imho) with something form Synology or Qnap. They have both been in the NAS business for years and their products are more functional, get more regular updates and have better software.

You can get a Synology DS112j or Qnap TS-112P for about £115 and a 4TB Seagate disk for £120, so £235. Maybe a bit less if you try hard, or get buy off ebay perhaps.

This would give you a NAS that does everything you want and more. If you wanted to splash out another £30, you could get a dual drive Synology or Qnap and then you would have some expansion possibilities down the line, or maybe put another drive in for Raid1 and some data security.

All in all I think these are much better options than blowing £200 on either the Seagate or WD NASes above.

 

[vim147]

If you could stretch your budget just a little bit, you'd be far better off (imho) with something form Synology or Qnap. They have both been in the NAS business for years and their products are more functional, get more regular updates and have better software.

You can get a Synology DS112j or Qnap TS-112P for about £115 and a 4TB Seagate disk for £120, so £235. Maybe a bit less if you try hard, or get buy off ebay perhaps.

This would give you a NAS that does everything you want and more. If you wanted to splash out another £30, you could get a dual drive Synology or Qnap and then you would have some expansion possibilities down the line, or maybe put another drive in for Raid1 and some data security.

All in all I think these are much better options than blowing £200 on either the Seagate or WD NASes above.

I don't mind stretching my budget slightly. What are the benefits of the synology or qnap other then expandability compared to the seagate or wd. 4tb will be more than enough for me.

 

[Chippy99]

I don't mind stretching my budget slightly. What are the benefits of the synology or qnap other then expandability compared to the seagate or wd. 4tb will be more than enough for me.

As I mentioned above, Synology and Qnap have been in the NAS businesses for years - it's what they do and they know what they are doing. You get regular updates for their software because that's what they do. I haven't owned a WD or Seagate NAS, but I bet you hardly ever see an update.

Take a look at the things you can do with a basic Qnap NAS (just for the home, not a bells and whistles professional one):

http://www.qnap.com/single_page.php?sn=147&lang=en-uk&hf=old

http://www.qnap.com/i/uk/qts4/?hf=old

Can a WD or Seagate NAS do all this? I would doubt it.

You can have a live demo of the Qnap software here:

http://www.qnap.com/uk/index.php?lang=en-uk&sn=5076&hf=old

And then you have the support, not just from Qnap or Synology, but the active user forums. These are NAS's for people who know about NAS's. So you get lots of posts from people like you asking for help and lots of people who can help. And 3rd party apps and all sorts of stuff.

 

[Chippy99]

Thanks!

Don't mention it. No problem, any time.

 

[Jurisprudence]

Just a quick post for the OP. If you're looking around you may want to take a gander at the HP Microservers. I've been running the N36L for a few years. Flawless and built like a tank. HP do cashback (its reliable) and many UK sites have the newer version the N54L. Heres a link to the HUKD deal (there are loads that show up there)

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-...o-delivery-pc-world-bussines-1827852#comments

There is also a website called tenniswoodblog that has some very in depth long term reviews of it with fantastic pics.