The Synology DS216+ vs The QNAP TS-251+ NAS Battle faceoff - Can the TS-251+-2G faceoff Synology? HD

The big NAS boys QNAP and Synology battle it out again with the TS-251+ compared against the DS216+ http://www.span.com/product/Qnap-Desktop-NAS-TS-251+-2G-2-Bay-RAID-0-1-2GB-RAM-~51037 Both When DSM 6.0 for Synology is out of Beta, both will setup and run multiple VMs, supporting multiple Operating systems and enhanced by the Docker app, Container Station. – However at the Mo, QNAP Leads and has had this supported for Years. Both can serve as a cross platform service – bridging connections and transfers of files between Mac and Windows systems over the network Both heavily supportSyncronisation and comprehensive snapshot technology meaning you will have an equal amount of backup options whichever you go for. As well as migration, connection and interaction with existing cloud services like dropbox, Google Drive ElephantDrive. Both are comprehensive Surveillance solutions, supporting multiple IP cameras and even arriving with some licences included. Exactly the same NAS OS that is updated regularly and has a huge app store to really customise your setup and make it your own Conclusion Of the two, I would recommend the TS-251+ The QNAP Software is more expandable and more can be done. Big leaps are being made with DSM 6.0 but it’s still in Beta and QNAP QTS software is a more dominant force for those with a little experience in NAS or IT in general. The CPU on the QNAP is a better CPU and if both were QUAD core’s, then it wouldn’t be so bad, but given the tasks that these units are required to perform are so similar and the prices are neck and neck, I put my weight behind that true and tested Intel QUAD at a bursted 2.4GHZ as it will go the extra mile. Another reason was future proofing as, although the DS216+ half way supports an expansion, the QNAP fully supports them with spreading RAIDs, syncing and cloning. This along with twice the RAM at the start and the ability to upgrade upto 8GB – whilst the Synology maxes at 1GB – means that you will have less room to grow outwards with the DS216 years down the line. Alongside this there are numerous extra advantages for the home user… better Plex Support, that HDMI port enabling everything from home media use with free remote control to a standalone surveillance station or use as a PC. This really isn’t a case of a cheap brand trying to win you over with trinkets to force its way into your home – we are talking about two NAS devices for the leading two brands in Network Attached Storage. That said, the DS216+ is definitely the more user friendly unit particularly those from the Apple community will vibe with it more. The Jump to BTRFS for its operations is a great move, as well as it’s enhanced AES-NI encryption and it’s resulting drop in power consumption… however these advantages are mostly WITHIN the NAS itself and you will only see perhaps a quarter of these outside of the unit in your home or office environment – therefore I cannot vouch that they are suitable recompense for the Hardware