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!
-edit- Thank you everyone for all the replies! Super helpful, Lemmy rocks :)
I went the lazy route with 1st a 215J with 2 2TB disks (mirrored for important data) and en external 3TB disk (backup/expendable data) and it got company from a 220j with 4TB disks internal and a 5TB external (same use as the 215j)
However, those are just for local data storage for me and my wife (picture), music library and a few static websites. Nothing fancy or demanding.
As I work in IT and mess about with more interesting environments, I wanted something simple at home. (next to my RPis that make up the rest of the server park, which we access via laptops) Main laptop here is a 14th gen i9 with 64 GB mem, so enough power to mess about when I’m behind it, but it’s off when I’m not.
I’d go for DIY with expensive/demanding requirements, pick an entry level when you just want to dump data and access it once in a while.