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Winner
The BUFFALO TeraStation 5820DN is a solid choice for businesses needing a large and reliable network storage solution. It comes with 8 bays, each preloaded with 20TB NAS-grade hard drives, giving you a massive raw capacity of 160TB. Configured in RAID 6 out of the box, it offers about 120TB of usable space with good data protection, which is ideal for critical business data. The device supports RAID configurations, allowing flexibility depending on your needs for speed or redundancy.
Its hardware is designed for stability and security, featuring a closed system with 256-bit encryption and two-factor authentication to protect sensitive files. The built-in snapshot feature helps with quick backups and recovery, which is useful in preventing data loss from accidental deletion or ransomware attacks. Another standout is the native 10GbE Ethernet port that supports very fast file transfers without needing additional hardware upgrades, beneficial for environments with heavy data traffic.
In terms of compatibility, it works well across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, making it versatile in mixed-OS offices. Cloud integration with services like Dropbox and Amazon S3 enables hybrid backup strategies for extra data safety. The unit is fairly large and weighs about 31.5 pounds, and while power consumption and noise levels aren’t explicitly detailed, business NAS devices like this typically balance performance with reasonable energy use and quiet operation. The 5600 RPM hard drives are optimized for NAS use but might be slower than higher RPM drives for some intensive tasks. If you need a high-capacity, secure, and business-focused NAS with strong data protection and fast network connectivity, the TeraStation 5820DN is a dependable option best suited for medium to large businesses looking for a robust desktop NAS without having to separately buy drives.
The NETGEAR ReadyNAS RN526XE4 is a robust NAS server designed for professionals and businesses that require substantial storage and high performance. With a 24TB capacity and the potential to expand up to 60TB, it caters well to creative professionals, architects, and any businesses handling large files. One of the standout features is its 10G connectivity, allowing for exceptionally fast data transfer speeds, which is ideal for environments with high data demands. The Intel dual-core processor combined with 4GB of RAM ensures smooth operation and improved application processing, making it suitable for multitasking needs.
In terms of backup solutions, the ReadyNAS offers solid protection against ransomware and includes options for cloud backups to major platforms like AWS and Google Drive. This makes it a reliable choice for maintaining data integrity.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. While the 20 gigabits per second access speed is impressive, users with smaller, less demanding storage needs may find this level of performance excessive and potentially costly. The setup, while supported by the NETGEAR Insight app for management, might still be a bit complex for those unfamiliar with NAS systems. Additionally, the weight of 17.55 pounds and its external installation type could pose challenges for portability.
The WD My Cloud 24TB EX2 Ultra is a solid choice for a centralized storage solution primarily suited for home or small office use. It offers a large storage capacity of 24TB across two bays, allowing you to install two drives with RAID options for data protection and improved performance. The 1.3 GHz dual-core processor paired with 1GB of DDR3 memory helps reduce lag during streaming and multitasking, which is beneficial for media sharing and file backups.
Its USB 3.0 connectivity supports fast data transfers, although it lacks more modern ports like USB-C or multiple Ethernet ports, which might limit advanced networking setups. WD’s software makes file syncing and sharing straightforward, even for users who aren’t very tech-savvy, and you can access your files remotely.
This device was released in 2020 and has only 1GB of RAM, which may struggle under heavy multitasking or very large file operations compared to newer NAS models. It is a user-friendly and reliable option for those needing easy-to-manage network storage with large capacity but might not be the best fit for professional users requiring top-tier performance or extensive connectivity options.