Synology DS224+ 2 Bay NAS Desktop: Efficient Storage Solution

Usage and Initial Impressions:After two months of using the Synology DS224+, I can confidently say this NAS has exceeded my expectations in almost every aspect. Serving as the central storage hub for my household and family, the DS224+ replaced several outdated servers, effortlessly taking over their roles while adding new functionalities. The primary uses for this NAS include storing media collections (movies, TV shows, and music), backing up photos from our phones, and managing documents through Synology Office. It has significantly reduced our dependence on cloud services like Google Drive and phone manufacturers' cloud storage, providing a secure and private alternative.Upon unboxing, the NAS impressed with its minimal yet functional packaging. The device itself feels solid, well-built, and surprisingly intuitive. Concerns about cooling and vibrations were quickly dispelled as the NAS ran smoothly without any issues in these areas.Setup and Installation:Setting up the DS224+ was mostly straightforward, with one minor hiccup related to a RAM upgrade. I initially tried installing a 16GB RAM module (despite Synology's official limit being 4GB extra), which caused the NAS not to boot. After removing the module, the setup process proceeded without issue, and I later reinstalled the RAM successfully, bringing the total to 18GB. DSM (DiskStation Manager) 7.2.1-69057 Update 5 was installed without a hitch, and the documentation provided by Synology, along with online resources, made navigating the settings and customization options manageable.Performance:The performance of the DS224+ has been outstanding. Even with multiple users connected from various locations across the UK, the NAS handles tasks with ease. CPU usage remains low, even under load, and file transfer speeds are excellent, averaging around 80-100MBps over a single LAN port. The collaborative features, such as document editing and calendar syncing, work in real-time with minimal latency, providing a seamless experience.Features:The DS224+ is packed with features, many of which are customisable to suit individual needs. From Docker support to third-party app installations, the NAS offers flexibility and power. However, I would caution against installing every available package, as some third-party apps in the official package centre are outdated and may have security vulnerabilities. Despite this, the overall functionality and expandability through Docker and other means are impressive.User Interface and Software:The user interface is a hybrid of a desktop and mobile environment, providing a unique but familiar experience. While Synology excels in offering a range of features and customisation options, there are a few shortcomings. For example, the lack of a consistent dark mode across applications and the continued use of American English in the UI despite selecting British English are minor annoyances. Additionally, the outdated third-party apps in the package manager pose a security risk, which Synology should address.Storage Capacity and Expandability:With two 12TB hard drives (Sold Separately) configured in SHR-1, the DS224+ provides ample storage with fault tolerance, ensuring data safety. While the two bays are sufficient for my needs, others may find the capacity limiting. Synology's storage calculator is a helpful tool for planning your configuration, and I recommend using drives of the same size for optimal results. A word of caution however: Do not buy hard drives from Synology. They're overpriced.Noise and Cooling:The NAS offers customisable fan speed settings, allowing you to prioritise cooling or noise levels. Even at maximum speed, the fan noise is minimal and not disruptive. During a recent heatwave, the balanced setting maintained optimal temperatures without issue.Value for Money:Initially, I was hesitant about the price, given my previous experience with a subpar NAS. However, the DS224+ has proven to be worth every penny, and more! Its performance, reliability, and extensive features make it one of the best purchases I've made in recent years.Issues:While the DS224+ excels in many areas, it does have some software-related drawbacks. The outdated third-party apps in the official package manager and the inconsistent dark mode implementation are areas that could use improvement. Additionally, Synology's claim that the maximum RAM capacity is 4GB is misleading (but in a good way, I guess), as I successfully installed 16GB. Potential buyers should research compatible RAM options before upgrading and always check Amazon reviews if getting it from Amazon; look for mentions of "Synology" and "Synology NAS".Final Thoughts:Despite its minor shortcomings, the Synology DS224+ is a powerful and versatile NAS that delivers exceptional performance and value. It’s ideal for those looking to centralise their storage, reduce dependency on cloud services, and ensure data security. I highly recommend it, giving it a solid 5/5.

The Synology DS224+ is an outstanding NAS! Setup was quick and easy, and DSM software is incredibly intuitive. Performance is fast, with great file transfer speeds and smooth remote access. Perfect for backups, media streaming, and personal cloud storage. Expandable RAM is a plus. Reliable, quiet, and efficient—this NAS is a must-have for home or small office use!

I'd been thinking about a NAS for a while. Primarily for data storage which, up untill now, I was just doing to an external hard disk drive. I kept putting it off thinking it was a lot of money to basically just do the same thing.What made me go for it was when I discovered it was much more than just a storage device - this thing will run a multitude of useful apps and services, including PLEX Server which I had installed on my laptop to stream my FLAC music collection.Running PLEX on a NAS is a much, MUCH better idea than running it on a PC. For a start, a NAS is designed to be left running 24/7 and it will do so extremely reliably. Unlike Windows, it won't decide to reboot whenever it feels like it.Despite the hardware disparity - my laptop has an Intel i7 processor, 16Gb RAM and a 4Tb nVME drive, vs the NAS's Intel Celeron processor, 6Gb RAM (I bought the 4Gb upgrade on top) and two 4Tb Seagate Ironwolf hard disk drives (one mirroring the other for redundancy) - the performance of PLEX is night and day better on the NAS.Today I was streaming Hi-Res FLAC audio files to two separate devices whilst it was doing a full data scrub of the whole drive - the CPU never went above 5% on the resource monitor, the RAM not above 15%. It absolutely flies no matter what I thow at it, without breaking into a sweat, because it's not being bogged down by all the bloat that comes with a Windows installation on a PC.It's also virtually silent. My laptop is considerably louder when it's fan kicks in. And it has lots of very thoughtful features like being able to set the brightness of the LEDs or even put them on a schedule so they dim or turn off so as not to annoy people or be a distraction. It's just so well thought out and an absolute joy to use.If, like I was, you're still "thinking about it"... Just pull the trigger and get one, you will NOT regret it! :)