QNAP TS-469L vs. Synology DS412+ ???

[BehindEnemyLines]

Does anyone have any experience with either of these NAS? I am having a difficult time deciding which is "better". I like the Synology for its easy-to-use "Synology Hybrid RAID" technology, and its user interface seems a lot more friendly. However, I like the QNAP for its large number of USB and eSATA ports.

QNAP: 4x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, 2x eSATA
Synology: 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, 1x eSATA

My main concern is future expansion. I understand that both NAS has only four internal bays that I can configure in RAID5 (or Synology Hybrid RAID). I asked Synology about storage expansion, and it seems that they have DX513 only as independent volume (cannot add to RAID5 array).

It seems Synology has better technical support. They were pretty clear on their replies. QNAP seems less detailed and actually provided wrong information.

Basically, I am torn between the two NAS.

 

[MrBacon]

Does anyone have any experience with either of these NAS? I am having a difficult time deciding which is "better". I like the Synology for its easy-to-use "Synology Hybrid RAID" technology, and its user interface seems a lot more friendly. However, I like the QNAP for its large number of USB and eSATA ports.

QNAP: 4x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, 2x eSATA
Synology: 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, 1x eSATA

My main concern is future expansion. I understand that both NAS has only four internal bays that I can configure in RAID5 (or Synology Hybrid RAID). I asked Synology about storage expansion, and it seems that they have DX513 only as independent volume (cannot add to RAID5 array).

It seems Synology has better technical support. They were pretty clear on their replies. QNAP seems less detailed and actually provided wrong information.

Basically, I am torn between the two NAS.

Well I choose QNAP (specifically the TS-469 Pro) because like you I like how there is more ports. In addition the metal casing, lCD screen (for setup and basic info), supports SATA 6 Gb/s, and lockable tray made QNAP a sweeter deal. I actually like the QNAP web gui better since all the features were listed out on the left hand side so its faster for me to find what I want.

In addition I run a small home lab so I needed cheap storage for vms. QNAP is probably the only NAS vendor that has there SMB units such as the TS-469 Pro certified by either VMware and Citrix.

I was looking at all the features sets and really there isn't a feature that Synology has QNAP doesn't so I choose QNAP and it has been good for the past half year

 

[JoeC5711]

Might be a little late, but I'll throw in my two cents. The addition of the HDMI port to the QNAP TS-x69 series, the XBMC app / HD Station, and one of my intended uses being housing ripped DVDs, really sold me on QNAP. Mine should arrive tomorrow. If you plan to use it for any sort of home entertainment purposes, you might find this useful to. YouTube has some good video content on these features here

 

[SpeedDemon3]

I went with the N40L - I never understood why I should pay so much more for a dedicated NAS box that on the face of it at least is just an underpowered PC with 4 drive bays. Am all ears though if anyone knows what advantages the dedicated boxes offer over the N40L running freenas.

In the UK at least these currently qualify (and have done for months) for £100 cashback making them both super affordable and performant. A combination I like
http://www.ebuyer.com/281915-hp-proliant-turion-ii-n40l-microserver-100-cashback-658553-421