I currently use an old (2013?) Intel NUC with a 12TB MyBook plugged in as a simple Plex server. I want to get a NAS. Right now at Amazon or B&H I can get a DS923+ w/ two 16TB HDDS for about $1000.
My main question is if I should try to go the DIY route. Am I going to possibly regret putting all my eggs in the Synology basket? I like the DS923+ because of it’s small form factor mainly. But I am sort of keen to use an open source OS like TrueNas.
My main uses are going to be Plex hosting, photo management for myself and wife and data backup. I am a bit of an enthusiast when it comes to electronics. I love messing around with things, trying new software, breaking stuff and fixing it. Are there any major restrictions I am going to experience with Synology? Thanks a bunch!
-edit- Thank you everyone for all the replies! Super helpful, Lemmy rocks :)
Time vs money, right? In six months, I’ll forget about the NAS and all the tiny little things I never did / automate. It’ll come back to bite me.
With a purchased NAS, that’s… less likely? Or at least, I can yell at their support to help me.
That’s the thing. A NAS *should *be pretty “set and forget”, and other than a few manual software updates, I just use the files and services it hosts without giving it a second thought.
Even the fact that I don’t have to mess around with third-party apps across multiple devices to get them to sync or backup to the NAS is pure gold, especially since my wife wouldn’t be able to figure out any app beyond “just click here and that’s it”. LOL