4 bay Home/SB NAS recommendations please

[MickyBlueyes]

Looking to upgrade from an early NetgearReadyNAS DUO v1, which is limiting my expansion, so looking for a 4 bay most likely, and looking for suggestions as I'm stuck between a Synology 413j, and the Thecus & Qnap alternatives. Not looking to spend more than £300 (empty) really.

Currently using 2x WD Red HDD's of 2TB which will be reformatted and added to in the new box.

It's for home/SB use which is run from home, 2 Macs, 1 PC, iPad, Android phone, & a blackberry (although this isn't critical). I would like to move away from another ReadyNAS as I find the software a bit clunky, and restrictive in it's add ons.

Needs to be Time machine compatible, & serve an iTunes database.

Any experiences on set up, reliability, and software support/improvement would be gratefully received.

TIA
Mike

 

[repomanbe]

I use a Synology DS412, it does all you want and more. Has iPad apps to control/use it. Also I stream movies via Apple TV. Can't fault it really.

 

[MickyBlueyes]

I use a Synology DS412, it does all you want and more. Has iPad apps to control/use it. Also I stream movies via Apple TV. Can't fault it really.

Thanks, but if it's this one?
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/synology-ds412plus-high-performance-4-bay-all-in-1-nas-server-for-smb-users
it's very nice but a bit more than I was looking to spend.

I was more thinking this one, as I don't need it to be particularly fast

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/synology-ds413j-4-bay-nas-16ghz-cpu-ddr3-512mb-sata-gbit-lan-2x-usb

I believe it runs similar software??

 

[repomanbe]

It runs the same software, looks like a fine choice

 

[MickyBlueyes]

Anybody using the QNap TS-412 or Thecus N4100EVO?? or similar care to post a view or so Synology have it

 

[Pukmeister]

Can't comment on the 4 bay NAS but I've been using an aging Synology DS109j single bay NAS for years with a mere 1TB drive in it. I'm thinking of upgrading in the near future and will be sticking with Synology and a couple of larger WD Red drives.

It does all you want it to do in your list of requirements.

I use mine as my personal cloud drive, download station, file server, itunes server, wireless media streaming server, time machine backup etc.

Apps available for ipad/iphone to control and stream.

Awesome piece of kit and the software is easy to get to grips with.

You could try Novatech as a supplier.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/networking/networkattachedstorage/4baynassolutions/ds413j.html

 

[MickyBlueyes]

You could try Novatech as a supplier.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/networking/networkattachedstorage/4baynassolutions/ds413j.html

Thanks for that info.

Any particular reason why I should use Novatech as I have had good service/price from Scan/Misco/Dabs in the past??

 

[Pukmeister]

Thanks for that info.

Any particular reason why I should use Novatech as I have had good service/price from Scan/Misco/Dabs in the past??

I wondered if you had considered Novatech as a supplier, I am happy to recommend them from personal experience.

They are very local to me and have always been excellent on price and handled problems very well which is the important bit. I've been buying from them for many years.

I've also had good service from Scan and Dabs via mail order to be fair to them as well.

 

[MickyBlueyes]

Thanks chaps, having done an afternoons reading of reviews I have chosen

As there is nobody local worth dealing with face to face, I have ordered from Dabs as they have stock.

Awaiting the joys of setting up a Synology DS413j later in the week