I currently use an old (2013?) Intel NUC with a 12TB MyBook plugged in as a simple Plex server. I want to get a NAS. Right now at Amazon or B&H I can get a DS923+ w/ two 16TB HDDS for about $1000.
My main question is if I should try to go the DIY route. Am I going to possibly regret putting all my eggs in the Synology basket? I like the DS923+ because of it’s small form factor mainly. But I am sort of keen to use an open source OS like TrueNas.
My main uses are going to be Plex hosting, photo management for myself and wife and data backup. I am a bit of an enthusiast when it comes to electronics. I love messing around with things, trying new software, breaking stuff and fixing it. Are there any major restrictions I am going to experience with Synology? Thanks a bunch!
In your usecase, it probably doesn’t matter. I usually suggest DIY with more disks and XigmaNAS for ZFS and RaidZ2 or RaidZ3 depending on disk size and number. The cost is usually in the disks, and I tend to prefer smaller disks and more for cheap replacements when they die, cheaper initial purchase, and getting more spindles so I can use cheaper “everything” and still get decent performance. I usually wouldn’t consider a 2 bay NAS myself, mostly because I’d just do what you’re already doing and plug in a large single external disk. In the past (15 years ago now though) the single disks lasted quite a long time, though I did buy internal disks and used my own enclosures. Recent Amazon reviews imply that is the best plan even today in that model because the prebuild MyBooks etc at 12TB or whatever are supposedly horrifically unreliable, but maybe you’ve had better luck.