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Looking to:
- RAID backup for 1 MacBook Pro M1 (1 TB) and 1 gaming PC (1TB)
- ability to expand down the road within the same case (do not want to purchase a separate encasement for more drives)
- allow family to access some areas to share high resolution photos and files for family history
- store files off my laptop to keep it running fast
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Thank you for reaching out and providing details about your requirements! Based on your use case and future expandability needs, I would recommend considering the Synology DS423+ or DS923+.
Why These Models?
Synology DS423+
4 bays for RAID and expandability: Start with your required storage (5TB+ for RAID, 30TB+ for files) and expand as needed.
Optimized for Mac users: Excellent integration with Time Machine for effortless backups of your MacBook Pro M1.
Ease of use: Synology’s DSM software is user-friendly, making it great for file sharing with family and setting up shared photo folders.
Cost-efficient: Fits closer to your budget, balancing performance and price.
Synology DS923+ (If you want better performance and long-term versatility)
More power for future needs: AMD Ryzen CPU and upgradeable RAM, ideal for tasks like virtualization or high-demand applications in the future.
Expandable storage: Add up to 9 bays using the DX517 expansion unit (if needed down the line).
PCIe slot for NVMe SSD caching or 10GbE: Future-proofs your NAS for faster networking or enhanced performance.
Drive Recommendations
To meet your current storage requirements:
Start with 2 x 12TB drives (RAID 1 for 12TB usable storage).
Expand to 4 drives in the future to create a RAID 5 or RAID 6 setup for larger capacity and redundancy.
Reliable options include:
Seagate IronWolf (NAS-optimized for durability and performance).
Western Digital Red (ideal for heavier workloads and quieter operation).
