Hey guys! Let's dive into the Synology DS920+, a popular Network Attached Storage (NAS) device that many of you might be considering for your home or small business. One of the first questions everyone asks is, "What's the price?" But more importantly, we need to figure out if the DS920+ is worth the investment. So, let's break it down!

Understanding the Synology DS920+ Price

The price of the Synology DS920+ can vary quite a bit depending on where you buy it and if there are any ongoing promotions. Generally, you can expect to find it in the range of $500 to $600 without any hard drives included. Keep in mind that this is just for the enclosure itself. You'll need to factor in the cost of the hard drives you plan to install.

Factors Affecting the Price:

• Retailer: Big online marketplaces like Amazon or Newegg might have slightly different prices compared to smaller, specialized tech stores.
• Promotions: Keep an eye out for sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, where you might snag a deal.
• Bundles: Sometimes, retailers offer bundles that include the DS920+ with a set of hard drives. These can be a good value if the drives meet your needs.
• Location: Prices can also vary slightly depending on your geographic location due to shipping costs and import duties.

Don't Forget the Hard Drives!

Remember, the DS920+ doesn't come with hard drives. You'll need to purchase those separately. The cost of the drives will depend on the capacity and type you choose. NAS-specific drives like WD Red or Seagate IronWolf are recommended for their reliability and performance in a 24/7 environment. The price per drive can range from $50 for a smaller capacity drive to several hundred dollars for a high-capacity one.

What Makes the Synology DS920+ a Good Investment?

Okay, so we know the initial cost. But what are you actually getting for your money? The Synology DS920+ isn't just a simple storage device; it's a versatile little server that can handle a ton of different tasks. Let’s explore the features that justify the price tag.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the DS920+ packs a punch. It's powered by a quad-core Intel Celeron J4125 processor and comes with 4GB of DDR4 memory, which can be expanded up to 8GB. This hardware configuration allows it to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Whether you're streaming 4K video, running virtual machines, or backing up your entire family's devices, the DS920+ can keep up.

The dual Gigabit Ethernet ports also support link aggregation, meaning you can combine them for faster transfer speeds and better redundancy. Plus, it has two M.2 NVMe slots for SSD caching, which can significantly boost the performance of frequently accessed files. All these components work together to provide a smooth and responsive user experience. This robust hardware ensures that your data is not only stored safely but also readily accessible when you need it.

Software and Features

Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system is a major selling point. It's user-friendly, feature-rich, and constantly updated with new improvements and security patches. DSM offers a wide range of applications and services, including:

• File Sharing: Easily share files with family, friends, or colleagues, with granular control over permissions and access rights.
• Data Backup: Protect your important data with comprehensive backup solutions, including scheduled backups, versioning, and cloud integration.
• Multimedia Streaming: Stream your movies, music, and photos to any device in your home with Plex or Synology's own media server.
• Surveillance Station: Turn your NAS into a network video recorder (NVR) with support for IP cameras and advanced surveillance features.
• Virtualization: Run virtual machines and containers with Virtual Machine Manager and Docker, allowing you to experiment with different operating systems and applications.

The software ecosystem is so versatile that you can tailor the DS920+ to fit your specific needs, whether you're a creative professional, a small business owner, or a home user who wants to centralize their digital life.

Scalability and Expansion

The DS920+ has four drive bays, allowing you to install up to four hard drives. This gives you plenty of storage capacity to start with, and you can always expand later if you need more space. The DS920+ also supports Synology's DX517 expansion unit, which adds five additional drive bays, bringing the total up to nine. This scalability makes the DS920+ a future-proof investment, as you can easily adapt it to your growing storage needs. Whether you’re archiving large video projects or just accumulating more family photos, the DS920+ can grow with you.

Alternatives to the Synology DS920+

Of course, the DS920+ isn't the only NAS device on the market. There are several alternatives that you might want to consider, depending on your specific needs and budget.

QNAP TS-453D

The QNAP TS-453D is a direct competitor to the DS920+, offering similar features and performance. It also has a quad-core Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM (expandable to 8GB), and four drive bays. One advantage of the TS-453D is that it has a 2.5GbE port, which can provide faster network speeds if you have compatible networking equipment. However, QNAP's QTS operating system is sometimes considered to be less user-friendly than Synology's DSM.

TerraMaster F4-422

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the TerraMaster F4-422 is worth considering. It has a quad-core Intel processor, 4GB of RAM, and four drive bays. It also has two 2.5GbE ports, which is a nice bonus. However, TerraMaster's TOS operating system is not as polished or feature-rich as DSM or QTS.

Asustor AS5304T

The Asustor AS5304T is another alternative with a focus on multimedia performance. It has a quad-core Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and four drive bays. It also has an HDMI port, allowing you to connect it directly to a TV or monitor for media playback. Asustor's ADM operating system is generally well-regarded, but it may not have as many apps and services as DSM or QTS.

DIY NAS

For the more technically inclined, building your own NAS is an option. This allows you to customize the hardware and software to your exact specifications. However, it also requires more technical knowledge and can be more time-consuming.

Is the Synology DS920+ Worth the Price? A Final Verdict

So, is the Synology DS920+ worth the price? In my opinion, yes, it is. While it's not the cheapest NAS device on the market, it offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and ease of use. The robust hardware, versatile software, and scalability make it a great investment for home users and small businesses alike.

Here's a quick recap of why the DS920+ is a good value:

• Strong Performance: The quad-core processor and ample RAM ensure smooth performance, even with multiple users and demanding applications.
• User-Friendly Software: Synology's DSM operating system is easy to use and packed with features.
• Scalability: The four drive bays and expansion support allow you to increase storage capacity as needed.
• Versatility: The DS920+ can be used for a wide range of applications, from file sharing and data backup to multimedia streaming and virtualization.

Of course, the DS920+ isn't perfect for everyone. If you have very basic storage needs or are on a tight budget, there are cheaper alternatives available. But if you're looking for a reliable, feature-rich, and scalable NAS device, the Synology DS920+ is definitely worth considering. Just remember to factor in the cost of hard drives when making your decision. Happy storing!