Some NAS devices come with internal hard drives that fit into the device’s storage bays for expanded storage as well as backups. That being said, some have a few special features that make them stand out from the rest of the pack. Featuresīecause NAS devices have a relatively straightforward utilitarian design, there aren’t multitudes of differences between them. Some of the higher-end units allow up to 40 users on a single NAS device. Check the specifications of each NAS device if you have specific user-quantity requirements. This allows a team of people to store data even when they are not located in the same office. One of the biggest advantages of a NAS device is that it can be set up for multiple users to access from remote locations.

If you have a limited workspace, look for something that will cause less of a challenge. Dimensions of some of the most popular NAS devices range from the size of a wireless router to that of a small printer. FootprintĬonsider where you will be keeping your NAS device. There are a lot of differences in NAS device designs and processing, so do your research on the MB-per-second specs of each unit, remembering that they usually have separate speeds for writing and reading. SpeedĪny device that will store massive amounts of data will have variations in functioning speed. Assess your storage needs before choosing your unit. What good is a data storage unit if it can’t hold all of your files? Most NAS devices range from a few gigabytes of storage space, all the way up to a massive 40TB. This will be the most important consideration when choosing your NAS device. Consider the factors below when researching the best NAS device for you, and you won’t go wrong. Regardless of your individual use of a NAS device, you want to be sure to get the right one. Others are hoping to house their most precious family memories in the form of photos and videos. For some, that means work files such as documents, spreadsheets, and data sets. If you are purchasing a NAS device, it’s because you need storage space to house your most important files. The forerunner to today’s NAS devices was developed in the early 1980s in Newcastle, England. Some NAS devices even offer mobile apps that ensure you can access your files on a smartphone or tablet, too.īe aware that a NAS device should not be considered a one-stop storage solution. Like any storage device, NAS devices can fail or become disabled, or be destroyed, by fire, flooding, or a power surge.

Additionally, NAS devices can be used in a home or office and allow you to access files over an internet connection.

They are often used to store video, music, and other media files.Ī NAS device is equipped with built-in security features to help safeguard your sensitive data against cyber attacks. These devices are compact and capable of handling files of all sizes. They are basically computers unto themselves, with hard drives, processors, and operating systems, and their main function is data storage. They connect to computer networks and provide access to a related group of clients. These devices are storage units that include one or more storage drive bays. With so much of our lives happening now in the digital realm, we all need a place to keep our ever-expanding cache of files. Data storage in the 21st century is a valuable commodity.

Best nas for mac 2012