Need Help choosing which of this is the Perfect Plex Media Server NAS? Synology vs WD https://www.span.com/product/WD-My-Cloud-Pro-PR4100-WDBNFA0000NBK-EESN-NAS-Server-PLEX-streaming-RAID-0-1-5-Empty~58803
What are the Pros and Con of the Synology DS916+
Pros
-Simple and modern chassis with excellent ventilation
-Easily the most powerful desktop NAS from Synology
- It handle pretty much anything you throw at it in a home or small business area. Plus it is an excellent surveillance NAS server and a Plex Media Server NAS
-Synology have found the perfect performance vs price on this unit
Cons
- Front panel seems a bit unnecessary in the design
- Lack of HDMI and audio ports are the only thing keeping this from getting 10/10
- Will feel limited if you are a high-end business with 50+ staff and more geared towards SAN solution
-Still a fraction more expensive than their main rival, QNAP
What are the Pros and Cons of the WD My Cloud Pro PR4100
Pro
- VERY industrial and streamlined, the PR4100 is the WD NAS Server for those that like it metal and like it modern! Noise is pretty low and everything is contained in a small, cool chassis. Plus the inclusion of an LCD panel and a dual PSU port on the rear are features sadly lacking in most other NAS devices from Synology and QNAP.
- This NAS can be run everything from VMware to Milestone Surveillance and Plex Media Server and more. Installation is not as direct as with Synology and QNAP but they have an app centre with all services available, as well as the typical services you expect from a top spec NAS like DLNA, Apple Time Machine backups and more
-It can run a Plex Media Server Better than most other 4-Bay units (tieing wit The QNAP TVS-471 or the TVS-473). If you want a NAS that can handle most tasks you want to throw at it, in this price range - you will struggle to find better!
- The price fluctuates and if you see it at less cost than the DS916+ or the TS-453A - snap it up! This is one of the most powerful 4-Bay NAS servers available in the market today.
Cons
- It's pretty sharply designed and heavy. Unlike the Synology DS916+ which is a little more glossy and shiny (Mac lovers love that from what I see) but the WD My Cloud Pro NAS is more metal in shape and form and can put some users off.
- The App centre is no were near as full as Synology NAS or QNAP NAS . Also the unit will lag ever so slightly when an app is being installed for other accessing users, or complete in-access for the user doing the installing. Lastly, with such great hardware available, it is a pity there is no HDMI output or 4x LAN (only providing 2x LAN)
-It is still confusing with such a fantastic amount of hardware that there is still the occasional LAG in performance of relatively simple processes. This is rare and only when multiple application processes are happening, but still surprising at times.
- The App performance is occasionally not matching the Hardware available to the WD NAS. If you need a NAS for 2 or 3 single applications then this is the NAS for you. If you hop to multitask more, then perhaps consider the QNAP TVS-473