{"id":446983,"date":"2022-05-14T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-14T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/"},"modified":"2022-05-14T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-05-14T14:00:00","slug":"the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"#The Best NAS (Network Attached Storage) Devices of 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a28cdb52e0ff\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a28cdb52e0ff\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/#%E2%80%9CThe_Best_NAS_Network_Attached_Storage_Devices_of_2021%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;The Best NAS (Network Attached Storage) Devices of 2021&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/#What_to_Look_for_in_a_NAS_in_2022\" >What to Look for in a NAS in 2022<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/#Synology_2_Bay_NAS_DiskStation_DS220\" >Synology 2 Bay NAS DiskStation DS220+<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/#Synology_DS120j_1_Bay_NAS_DiskStation\" >Synology DS120j 1 Bay NAS DiskStation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/#WD_4TB_My_Cloud_EX2_Ultra\" >WD 4TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/#Best_NAS_for_Plex_and_Media_Streaming_Asustor_AS5202T\" >Best NAS for Plex and Media Streaming: Asustor AS5202T<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/#Asustor_AS5202T\" >Asustor AS5202T<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices-of-2021\/#WD_Diskless_My_Cloud_EX4100_Expert_Series_4\" >WD Diskless My Cloud EX4100 Expert Series 4<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CThe_Best_NAS_Network_Attached_Storage_Devices_of_2021%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;The Best NAS (Network Attached Storage) Devices of 2021&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<!-- UNCACHED CONTENT --><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage wp-image-747591 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/best-nas-header.jpg?width=398&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 400w, https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/best-nas-header.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/best-nas-header.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"NAS device taken apart on desk\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/small-office-home-nas-server-own-733647847\" data-credittext=\"slawomir.gawryluk\/Shutterstock.com\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"type:primaryImage imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/small-office-home-nas-server-own-733647847\">slawomir.gawryluk\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"admonishment_update\"><p><strong>Update, 05\/03\/2022:<\/strong> We\u2019ve reviewed our recommendations and have replaced the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_mac\">Best NAS for Mac<\/a> recommendation due to the original pick, the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drobo.com\/storage-products\/5n2\/\">Drobo 5N2<\/a>, being out of stock.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Look_for_in_a_NAS_in_2022\"><\/span>What to Look for in a NAS in 2022<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While every NAS fulfills the basic function of attaching storage to your network, that\u2019s where the similarities end. A <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/662440\/what-exactly-is-a-surveillance-or-nas-hard-drive\/\">NAS hard drive is essentially a specialized computer and, like all computers, comes in many varieties. The key aspects you need to consider before buying one can be broken down into a few broad categories.<\/p>\n<p>The number of drive bays is the first decision you need to make. A single-bay NAS (or even a simple external hard drive) is fine for users who only want to stream <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>, create basic backups, or have fast local shared storage. However, with just one bay, all data is lost should the drive fail. A two-bay model allows for disk mirroring and is a better choice ensuring your data stays intact. Going beyond two drive bays comes down to your desired mix of maximum capacity, speed, and redundancy.<\/p>\n<p>Performance specifications on NAS devices are as important as those of a personal computer when choosing a product. The NAS has a CPU, RAM, specific Ethernet port speeds, and maximum drive specs that you\u2019ll need to be aware of. For example, if you need a NAS to transcode 4K video or edit video files directly over the network, it needs the hardware horsepower to make that possible.<\/p>\n<p>Upgradability is also an important factor to consider. If your needs are going to grow over time, then having a NAS that can be expanded makes for a better purchase. RAM is a common upgradeable component, but some NAS devices also allow you to install an <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/15199\/the-best-portable-ssds\/\">SSD<\/a> to act as a high-speed cache, dramatically improving data transfer performance.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>lication support can be crucial. NAS devices use different operating systems than a standard computer, usually. Some of these OSes can be customized, while others could be a little more than a standard Linux installation. Support for specific applications such as web servers or media streaming software can vary wildly, so check whether a given NAS device supports the specific applications you need it to run.<\/p>\n<p>Now, let\u2019s get into our best NAS recommendations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Set Up a NAS (Network-Attached Storage) Drive<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-Bay-DiskStation-DS220-Diskless\/dp\/B087ZCBWFH\/?tag=htgroundups-20\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-749155 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/p-badge\/749155\/97dda39ef66a8216efde679ed3402d9b.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Synology DS220 on grey background\" width=\"650\" height=\"366\" data-credittext=\"Synology\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Synology<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<div class=\"procon_list\">\n<div>\nPros<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> The best jack-of-all-trades NAS with a fair price<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Offers RAID 1 disk mirroring for the basic redundancy most people require<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Dual Gigabit LAN with either failover or link aggregation<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Surprisingly powerful CPU and upgradable RAM<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Fast read and write speeds<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Competent basic Plex solution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\nCons<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> A bit too expensive for casual buyers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-Bay-DiskStation-DS220-Diskless\/dp\/B087ZCBWFH\/?tag=htgroundups-20\">DS220+<\/a> has a lot going for it. It looks attractive and works in a home or business setting. The price is not low, but it\u2019s not excessive either. With two drive bays, you get the most important minimum level of redundancy with RAID 1 support.<\/p>\n<p>The dual gigabit Ethernet ports give you the option of either aggregating them for maximum performance or using a failover setup to ensure your data is always available. The CPU is fast enough for most user needs, and the RAM allocation can be upgraded if needed. Being the household name in the NAS market, Synology also offers nearly 100 applications for the DS220+.<\/p>\n<p>The DS220+ is a hard product to criticize because it seems like you\u2019re getting more than your money\u2019s worth no matter how you look at it. We can\u2019t imagine most users with a budget in this region buying this NAS and being unhappy with it. If you\u2019re still not sure, though, Review Geek\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/45175\/synology-ds220-nas-an-affordable-workhorse-for-every-home\/\">article on the DS220+<\/a> is sure to convince you.<\/p>\n<p>Then again, if you\u2019re not a fan of the Synology software platform and ecosystem, then the DS220+ isn\u2019t going to change your mind on that front. But if anyone asks us which NAS they should get, this is the one we\u2019d point to as the first stop on the road to NAS nirvana.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box  \">\nBest NAS Overall<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-Bay-DiskStation-DS220-Diskless\/dp\/B087ZCBWFH?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31NiDarhoUL._SL160_.jpg\" height=\"147px\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-title \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shop for Synology 2 Bay NAS DiskStation DS220+\" aria-label=\"Shop for Synology 2 Bay NAS DiskStation DS220+\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-Bay-DiskStation-DS220-Diskless\/dp\/B087ZCBWFH?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Synology_2_Bay_NAS_DiskStation_DS220\"><\/span>Synology 2 Bay NAS DiskStation DS220+<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"product-features\">Synology&#8217;s DS220+ is one of the best NAS devices around, and perfect for most anyone&#8217;s needs. It&#8217;s good for archiving data, can be used with Plex, and is relatively inexpensive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07ZKSLVT5\/?tag=htgroundups-20\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-749154 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/p-badge\/749154\/017938426f42cd361e8e0ebb75c3a6f5.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Synology DS120j on yellow background\" width=\"650\" height=\"366\" data-credittext=\"Synology\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Synology<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<div class=\"procon_list\">\n<div>\nPros<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Extremely cheap, especially if you use it with a drive you already have<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Read\/Write speeds are actually pretty good for the price<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> A feature-complete NAS for very little money<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\nCons<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Having just one drive removes any redundancy<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> CPU and RAM aren&#8217;t up to media transcoding or any heavy lifting<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Risky as your only backup solution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>When does \u201cbudget\u201d become cheap? Some might argue that a NAS with only one drive bay defeats the point of having such a device. However, not everyone who wants a NAS is looking for speed or additional reliability.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re only looking for an inexpensive and simple way to add local file storage to your network, then the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07ZKSLVT5\/?tag=htgroundups-20\">Synology DS120j<\/a> has you covered. It\u2019s modest in every sense of the word, but for the price, it\u2019s got a surprising number of tricks on offer.<\/p>\n<p>While it may only have a single drive bay, the DS120j can accept a drive up to 16TB in size. Most users would find a storage amount more than acceptable. With an encrypted read speed of 112MB\/s, drive performance is balanced with its single Gigabit Ethernet port.<\/p>\n<p>It may only have an 800Mhz dual-core CPU, but a dedicated hardware encryption engine makes it so CPU performance isn\u2019t affected. That being said, the DS120j isn\u2019t going to do any heavy media transcoding work at the best of times, so keep that in mind if you\u2019re trying to set up a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_plex\">NAS for Plex<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You get the same versatile Synology software as the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_overall\">best overall pick<\/a>\u00a0and based on user reviews, most have no trouble setting up and using this NAS. That\u2019s a great sign, given that this is a real network-attached storage unit with the software flexibility and complexity that the name implies. If all you want is flexible, shared local network storage, the DS120j will get the job done for as budget-friendly as possible.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box  \">\nBest Budget NAS<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07ZKSLVT5?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/21S-TDTQC3L._SL160_.jpg\" height=\"147px\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-title \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shop for Synology DS120j 1 Bay NAS DiskStation\" aria-label=\"Shop for Synology DS120j 1 Bay NAS DiskStation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07ZKSLVT5?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Synology_DS120j_1_Bay_NAS_DiskStation\"><\/span>Synology DS120j 1 Bay NAS DiskStation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"product-features\">Getting a NAS set up for just $100? That seems too cheap, but the DS120j is anything but. Provided you&#8217;re not doing any media transcoding, this is a solid NAS choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cloud-Ultra-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B01AWH05GE\/?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-749156 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/p-badge\/749156\/51db8ebad96ebe575f9cb24019ff8523.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"WD My Cloud EX2 on pink background\" width=\"650\" height=\"366\" data-credittext=\"WD\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">WD<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<div class=\"procon_list\">\n<div>\nPros<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Plug-and-play solution with included storage out of the box<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Decent CPU and RAM combo at this price<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Supports Plex Media Server and comes with 3-month trial<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Suitable for non-technical users<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Mac Time Machine compatible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\nCons<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Limited app availability<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Some user reviews cite reliability issues and trouble accessing the NAS over the internet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>While the average computer geek will not be phased by buying and installing drives into a NAS device, most home users looking for network storage solutions typically lack the know-how or time to build a custom unit. The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cloud-Ultra-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B01AWH04EW\/?tag=htgroundups-20\">WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra<\/a> is the perfect solution for those folks to hit the ground running.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve linked the 4TB model here, but you can buy <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cloud-Ultra-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B0842RRRRM\/?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\">up to 28TB<\/a> variants of this NAS, so you can get the storage space you need. There is even a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cloud-Ultra-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B01AWH05KK\/?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\">diskless model<\/a>, in case you\u2019ve already got the drives you need.<\/p>\n<p>The case for the Cloud EX2 Ultra as the perfect home NAS candidate is further bolstered by its software. A common theme among users is how easy configuration is, and the EX2 Ultra is even Mac Time Machine compatible. But, that simplicity comes at a cost.<\/p>\n<p>While <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_overall\">NAS devices from companies like Synology<\/a> offer you a long list of applications and powerful, finely-grained control over your device, Western Digital does not. Instead, you\u2019re presented with basic functions, a limited number of optional apps, and a lot of hand-holding. While power users might see this as a downside, home users who want to get the job done without a course in network engineering will appreciate this ease of use.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also worth noting that Western Digital has focused on equipping the EX2 with fast hardware, specifically with a focus on media streaming performance. You even get a three-month Plex trial included in your purchase, so home users looking for a solid Plex solution should definitely have the EX2 on their shortlist.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box noflex-desktop \">\nBest Home NAS<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cloud-Ultra-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B01AWH04EW?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31zi7c8jB4L._SL160_.jpg\" height=\"147px\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-title \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shop for WD 4TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra\" aria-label=\"Shop for WD 4TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cloud-Ultra-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B01AWH04EW?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WD_4TB_My_Cloud_EX2_Ultra\"><\/span>WD 4TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"product-features\">WD&#8217;s My Cloud NAS is perfect for many home setups. This one includes storage right out of the box and is compatible with Plex servers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"newlinebuttons\">\n<div class=\"product-add\">\n<div class=\"product-add-button\">\n<div class=\"product-share-links\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shop for WD 4TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra\" aria-label=\"WD 4TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra - Amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cloud-Ultra-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B01AWH04EW?tag=htgroundups-20\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\">Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"product-price\">$329.99 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"12\" width=\"42\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAGoAAAAeCAYAAADEkotAAAADcElEQVRo3u1azWoUQRDeU66CWWMIIiTsxRcQgooHH8C7V\/EFcjR4i3gRNImCqxtPPoIHQS9xc\/cNRELwIAjBS8AE4n6TqaWsqeq\/GZKdoQuK7O709HTX1\/X11zXp9Tpuq+\/2ng42dw8GW19Pl1983ln\/8LHfyzZbdns0vgeAuAOsHJlZzCYB1MrWl90cmRZkFMDLkZlBu7Ozt4Yswj4F2tt48mguRyVbt60NSiw0E+vMBfdeWMbffT9+AMqBY3\/AQOBTShIbPdqH9sWDSNd4H\/id2pPfGo1vyH2MX6dAox2+k7QvvKRP3gfd72tnAYN5yDjQ\/ei70ZV2Mrz87ej19VPuP7cv3cd1OQh+rrHcktCyL0wEwZD90f3FNdE3FgjvswiyGJ\/8reKT5+HZlQAr7SywsJic9xrjTbZfL\/uPJUjHw4X9H8Ob81pwQ11TZxogGuh1gGratUWHMcT0UTuzvj+7Njge9g8JoJO3i8Xf39tXVq0s4KmNAWsUSC5Xoy8TmwQKY8JiUakppt1kzPx52piI5nCtOFKIedY++\/19c\/WTzKY\/m0vPXXSFQWgbpnY4lVmlAlWCjrYEPAGcCpRGV9qzpXDAvCrtBFDyeVrGVWhR9BFlR68WH8pM4pTnAsra63wryRcEaUlAGX1qgAa1E\/3JOWiLQjuoJ4EEMDjlkXPKiwXKoskuAaWNR2Yl2mhquDblUTZJyksBSgsGn0jbgdIyhbezrrmOLKZBdrtUXgbK7i9Ukqv7NDJhQmMjcnyHmrMpb2HfpfKaBooLj84BNblGdUju+I2LIlO54QCrKTMA6VN5je5Rno24C9QXXDJClmiVBYBiUR5lEu6zKC8WKFCc77DYdqAKZVtn\/zk7uJ5RGoEAR9VBozyXygsBSkpSTEBTfHISXZDnIfFwFnkRdJkxVLMDvcVSnrMyUUpOKoRaB1nvobOFQFnKj1c4pvXGcr6VrNMPsdUSkbWHxQDl86DqQAuBSqkvqvTIs4dnFv8cQnmuVHeCV1amQ\/ryHQRnFSirZBZVlEWmSCXIQQqlPJ+YoPc4JE8p9V0v3rCyOD34NmLMhbeHa++j+HXrtULT7WghTYu54n0WxcP5TktTggArhvJS5Hm25FcY\/yu9GMrLQJ2jcSUYS3kZqHM2KMEUystAtcwyUC0xKVfzvxSn2T\/\/Z2uNBTdcQwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\"\/><br \/><small><del>$349.99<\/del> Save 6%<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-DiskStation-DS920-Diskless-4-bay\/dp\/B087Z34F3R\/?tag=htgroundups-20\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-749153 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/p-badge\/749153\/13bd6f5c38e243100ed8eae70a0ae29c.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Synology DS920 on green and blue background\" width=\"650\" height=\"366\" data-credittext=\"Synology\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Synology<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<div class=\"procon_list\">\n<div>\nPros<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Well-specified base system<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Lots of room to grow with RAM and M.2 SSD cache drives<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Fast sequential read and write speeds<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Hardware encryption<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\nCons<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Might be a little too expensive upfront for very small startups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>There are many important considerations when buying computer equipment for business use. Typically, you want something reliable, durable, and can handle more complex workloads than home users require.<\/p>\n<p>Most importantly, perhaps, is the ability for it to grow with your business over time. If you can start with a smaller initial investment and then upgrade a NAS as you go, that would be ideal from a cost-benefit perspective. The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-DiskStation-DS920-Diskless-4-bay\/dp\/B087Z34F3R\/?tag=htgroundups-20\">Synology DS920+<\/a> ticks all of those boxes and does it at a reasonable price.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0DS920+ is a 4-bay diskless NAS, so you\u2019ll have to buy and add the disk drives yourself. You may think that the asking price is a little steep considering that no drives are included, but it\u2019s a bargain upon further inspection.<\/p>\n<p>This is an Intel-based quad-core NAS with 4GB of RAM as standard and the option to upgrade it to 8GB of RAM. It offers hardware-based encryption as well, culminating in a 225MB\/s sequential read and write performance rating.<\/p>\n<p>The most impressive performance feature, however, is the two M.2 NVME slots. NVME drives you insert into these slots are not used for file storage. Instead, they act as a high-speed cache for frequently used data. So if everyone in the office is working on the same project files, there will be no access contention once that data is cached to the NVME SSDs.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, adding NVME drives is yet another additional cost, but it\u2019s a perfect future upgrade once your demands for the NAS start to grow. Additionally, this NAS has two Gigabit Ethernet ports that can be used in an aggregated mode, ensuring that you get the full benefit of its disk input\/output, or IO, performance.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re running a small to medium-sized business and don\u2019t have a huge budget for network infrastructure, the DS920+ is in the sweet spot. With a few upgrades, it should pull its weight long after it\u2019s paid for itself. Not to mention, Synology has a large selection of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.synology.com\/en-global\/dsm\/packages\">add-on packages<\/a>\u00a0for their NAS products, many of which are invaluable in a business setting.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box  \">\nBest NAS for Business<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-DiskStation-DS920-Diskless-4-bay\/dp\/B087Z34F3R?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31miC4cBCSL._SL160_.jpg\" height=\"147px\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_NAS_for_Plex_and_Media_Streaming_Asustor_AS5202T\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_5\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_plex\">Best NAS for Plex and Media Streaming: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Asustor-AS5202T-Inspired-Attached-Dual-Core\/dp\/B07PW9DV56\/?tag=htgroundups-20\">Asustor AS5202T<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Asustor-AS5202T-Inspired-Attached-Dual-Core\/dp\/B07PW9DV56\/?tag=htgroundups-20\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-747120 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/p-badge\/747120\/c4b27dfdf9d395f6b64e707af2d232bc.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Asustor AS5202T\" width=\"650\" height=\"373\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Asustor-AS5202T-Inspired-Attached-Dual-Core\/dp\/B07PW9DV56\/?tag=htgroundups-20\" data-credittext=\"Asus\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Asustor-AS5202T-Inspired-Attached-Dual-Core\/dp\/B07PW9DV56\/?tag=htgroundups-20\">Asus<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<div class=\"procon_list\">\n<div>\nPros<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Listed in the Plex database for up to 4K hardware transcoding<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Good specifications to handle media encoding<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> RAM is expandable if needed down the line<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> 2 x 2.5 Gigabit ethernet<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Direct HDMI Port for a local TV<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\nCons<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Requires a paid Plex Pass to get the most from the hardware<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Gamer aesthetic and features may not appeal to some<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In-home media streaming is one of the main reasons most people are looking at a NAS. The popularity of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/76716\/should-you-get-a-nas-for-plex-streaming\/\">Plex<\/a> is a driving factor in looking into these network computer boxes. Most people start off running a Plex server on their desktop or using a spare computer. However, as your collection of media (and transcoding needs) grow, an old unused computer doesn\u2019t cut it anymore.<\/p>\n<p>Plex is compatible with a wide range of NAS devices that will run its app, but many of them are limited to software transcoding. That means available CPU resources determine whether you\u2019re getting smooth, crisp playback or a blurry, stuttering mess. Ideally, you want a NAS that offers dedicated hardware encoding and certified compatibility with Plex.<\/p>\n<p>The first place anyone should look on this quest is Plex\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net\/links\/3607085\/type\/am\/sid\/746521\/https:\/\/support.plex.tv\/articles\/201373803-nas-compatibility-list\/\">official NAS compatibility list<\/a>,\u00a0and that\u2019s where you\u2019ll find the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Asustor-AS5202T-Inspired-Attached-Dual-Core\/dp\/B07PW9DV56\/?tag=htgroundups-20\">Asustor AS5202T<\/a>. It\u2019s one of the few NAS devices at this price point that offers hardware-accelerated transcoding of 4K footage, although it\u2019s limited to SDR and H.264 output at that resolution.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, hardware acceleration support requires a paid <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net\/links\/3607085\/type\/am\/sid\/746521\/https:\/\/www.plex.tv\/plex-pass\/\">Plex Pass<\/a> subscription, so if you only want to rely on software encoding, you\u2019ll have to buy a NAS with much more CPU power than this device. Still, if you\u2019re buying a NAS specifically for Plex, it\u2019s a fair assumption that you\u2019ll also want Plex\u2019s premium features, in which case this is a great match.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to watch high-quality 4K HDR content, the AS5202T has an HDMI output for direct connection to a display, so you don\u2019t even have to worry about wi-fi performance for your main television. This is a NAS that\u2019s truly built for media consumption.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box  \">\nBest NAS for Plex and Media Streaming<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Asustor-AS5202T-Inspired-Attached-Dual-Core\/dp\/B07PW9DV56?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31LwADnr-0L._SL160_.jpg\" height=\"147px\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-title \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shop for Asustor AS5202T\" aria-label=\"Shop for Asustor AS5202T\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Asustor-AS5202T-Inspired-Attached-Dual-Core\/dp\/B07PW9DV56?tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Asustor_AS5202T\"><\/span>Asustor AS5202T<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"product-features\">If you&#8217;re looking for a NAS mainly for media and Plex, you can make it easy with the Asustor AS5202T. This NAS allows 4K transcoding at a great price point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/EX4100-Expert-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B00TB8XMR0?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-802989 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/p-badge\/802989\/daf61657c319e66fe9e620570d07f1ed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"WD EX4100 in photo studio\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" data-credittext=\"Western Digital\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Western Digital<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<div class=\"procon_list\">\n<div>\nPros<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Great set of professional features<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Time Machine Support<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Fast transfer speeds<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"greentext\">\u2713<\/span> Third-party app support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\nCons<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Pre-populated models are overpriced<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"maroontext\">\u2717<\/span> Not particularly nice to look at, so put it in a closet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>By and large, you can use <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_overall\">any NAS<\/a> with your Mac. When choosing the best NAS for a Mac, we focused on the specialist needs many Mac users have.<\/p>\n<p>Macs are often used for coding, video editing, and other professional purposes. If you\u2019re working in a studio environment, for example, it\u2019s crucial that everyone has high-speed access to shared resources on the NAS. Also, a NAS that can natively handle Time Machine backups for multiple networked Macs can ensure you don\u2019t lose everything when things go\u00a0<em>really\u00a0<\/em>wrong.<\/p>\n<p>The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/EX4100-Expert-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B00TB8XMR0?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\">WD My Cloud EX4100<\/a> fits that bill perfectly. This is the diskless model, so you\u2019ll have to populate it with drives of your own, but you can buy it pre-populated with arrays between <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/EX4100-Expert-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B00TB8XN2E?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\">8TB<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/EX4100-Expert-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B0842S1DH2?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\">56TB<\/a> in size. If you want them prepopulated, though, be prepared to spend a fair amount of cash for the convenience.<\/p>\n<p>It has a snappy dual-core CPU and 2GB of DDR3, which can sustain 114MB\/s upstream and 108 MB\/s downstream. This NAS also supports third-party apps from Plex, Dropbox, WordPress, and more besides.<\/p>\n<p>With Gigabit Ethernet, AES 256 volume encryption, and multiple RAID options, this is a prosumer NAS that feels more \u201cpro\u201d than \u201cconsumer\u201d, which makes it a perfect fit for Apple Mac fans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box noflex-desktop \">\nBest NAS for Mac<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/EX4100-Expert-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B00TB8XMR0?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41lKX6vl0yL._SL160_.jpg\" height=\"147px\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-title \">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shop for WD Diskless My Cloud EX4100 Expert Series 4\" aria-label=\"Shop for WD Diskless My Cloud EX4100 Expert Series 4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/EX4100-Expert-Network-Attached-Storage\/dp\/B00TB8XMR0?th=1&amp;tag=htgroundups-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WD_Diskless_My_Cloud_EX4100_Expert_Series_4\"><\/span>WD Diskless My Cloud EX4100 Expert Series 4<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"product-features\">Great features, with native support for Time Machine. The Diskless model is a bargain if you can get a good deal on drives, though the pre-populated models feel a little overpriced.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/746521\/best-nas-network-attached-storage-devices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The Best NAS (Network Attached Storage) Devices of 2021&#8221; slawomir.gawryluk\/Shutterstock.com Update, 05\/03\/2022: We\u2019ve reviewed our recommendations and have replaced the Best NAS for Mac recommendation due to the original pick, the Drobo 5N2, being out of stock. What to Look for in a NAS in 2022 While every NAS fulfills the basic function of attaching&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":446984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/best-nas-header.jpg?height=200p&trim=2,2,2,2","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-446983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446983","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=446983"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446983\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/446984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=446983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=446983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=446983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}