The DiskStation DS220+ launched again in 2020, and within the three years it was on sale, it dominated the charts. It is not exhausting to see why: the DiskStation DS220+ supplied nice {hardware}, twin Gigabit Ethernet ports, excellent software program options, and an excellent worth. So it stands to cause that Synology is not making too many modifications with the DiskStation DS224+, the long-awaited successor to the DS220+.
In any case, the DS220+ method labored very well for the model, so it’s retaining the identical basis with the DS224+. Due to this fact, the DiskStation DS224+ has the identical twin Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, comparable inside {hardware}, similar nice software program, and it even makes use of the identical design.
The upside is that by utilizing Intel’s Celeron J4125 in lieu of the AMD Ryzen R1600 that is featured within the likes of the DiskStation DS723+ and DiskStation DS923+, Synology is catering to consumers that want an iGPU to be used in Plex, a key promoting level. Whereas I am a bit of aggravated that there is not any 2.5 Gigabit connectivity or M.2 slots right here, the DiskStation DS224+ has sufficient in the best way of differentiation to make it the default alternative if you’d like an incredible 2-bay starter NAS in 2023.
Synology DiskStation DS224+: Pricing and availability
Synology unveiled the DiskStation DS224+ alongside the budget-focused DS223 and DS223j again in August 2023, and the NAS is now obtainable globally. It retails for $299 on Amazon within the U.S., £299 within the U.Okay. (though availability is proscribed in the mean time), and €299 in most European markets. Over in India, the DiskStation DS224+ is obtainable for ₹35,990 ($432).
Like all different servers made by Synology, the DiskStation DS224+ comes with a regular three-year guarantee. You get an Ethernet cable within the field together with the ability brick, and a set of various screws to mount 2.5-inch exhausting drives or SSDs. Here is a rundown of the {hardware} on supply:
| Class | Synology DiskStation DS224+ |
|---|---|
| Inside drive bays | Two (18TB every bay), 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5-inch HDD/SSD |
| Community interface | 2 x Gigabit Ethernet, Hyperlink Aggregation |
| USB ports | 2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 |
| eSATA ports | ❌ |
| PCIe | ❌ |
| CPU | Quad-core 64-bit 2.0GHz Intel Celeron J4125 |
| Plex transcoding | Sure |
| RAM | 2GB DDR4 non-ECC, upgradeable to 6GB |
| M.2 slots | ❌ |
| File system | EXT4, Btrfs |
| Cooling | 1 x 92mm fan, 22dBA |
| Extensibility | ❌ |
| Dimensions | 165 x 108 x 232.2mm |
| Weight | 2.86lb, 1.30kg |
Synology DiskStation DS224+: Design and options
Synology is not identified for altering the design of its NAS servers, and the DiskStation DS224+ is similar to its predecessor on this space. It makes use of a plastic shroud that covers the drive bays, and also you get the standard set of LEDs on the entrance: there’s an total system standing indicator, LEDs for the 2 disk drives, and the 2 LAN ports. There is a USB 3 port on the entrance, and a duplicate button that allows you to routinely copy the contents of any flash drive or exterior SSD that is linked to the USB port — a nifty addition.
The facility button sits on the backside proper, and also you get the DS224+ label on the left. It is a acquainted design to say the least, and to Synology’s credit score, it’s equal elements trendy and useful. The edges are vented to permit passive airflow into the DS224+, and also you get a 92mm fan on the again that takes care of energetic cooling. A NAS is designed to mix into the background, and the DS224+ manages to do exactly that because of the unobtrusive black paint scheme.
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Synology makes use of an all-metal chassis on the likes of the DS723+, however you get a mix of plastic and aluminum within the case of the DS224+, however that is not a problem. The feature-set is on par with the greatest NAS servers for Plex, and whereas the design is getting a bit lengthy within the tooth, there are not any inherent points right here.
Set up is about as easy because it will get; simply take away the plastic shroud, pull out the drive bays, and slot in 3.5-inch exhausting drives. The DS224+ has tool-less set up for 3.5-inch drives, however in the event you’re going with a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD, you may want to make use of the offered screws. No matter what you employ, you will get began in a matter of minutes.
The principle function that is lacking with the DS224+ is M.2 drives; Synology lastly allowed using M.2 drives for storage beginning with the DS723+ earlier this 12 months, and that makes an enormous distinction. The truth that the DS224+ does not have any M.2 slots in any respect is a little bit of a letdown, and it goes towards the Plus collection branding lavished right here. I believe Synology ought to have included at the least one M.2 slot as it will have made the NAS that rather more alluring.
Synology DiskStation DS224+: Ports
Coming to the ports, you get the identical assortment of choices because the DS220+. There are twin Gigabit Ethernet ports on the again, two USB 3.2 ports — one on the again and the opposite on the entrance — and that is about it. You aren’t getting multi-Gigabit networking right here, and that is one other letdown. Whereas the dearer DS723+ misses out on 2.5GbE ports as nicely, you get the choice so as to add a 2.5GbE or 10GbE networking card through a PCIe Gen 3 x2 slot — that is not doable right here.
Whereas the Gigabit ports could be bridged collectively through Hyperlink Aggregation, there ought to have been at the least a 2.5GbE port on the again; most different NAS servers on this class now supply 2.5GbE connectivity as normal, and Synology is clearly lagging behind on this space. The model is not actually identified for delivering the very best {hardware} — as a substitute differentiating its merchandise through software program — however for a $300 NAS to not have at the least one 2.5GbE port is a bit shortsighted. Identical to the state of affairs with the M.2 drives, Gigabit Ethernet appears like a little bit of a limitation.
Synology DiskStation DS224+: Efficiency
Fortunately, the efficiency is the place the DiskStation DS224+ redeems itself. It’s powered by the Intel Celeron J4125, a stalwart on this class. That is in actual fact the identical chipset that powered the DiskStation DS920+ and DS1520+, and though Synology now makes use of AMD’s Ryzen R1600 in its current-gen DS723+ and DS923+, the Celeron J4125 has just a few distinctive benefits.
Key amongst them is the inclusion of an iGPU; the Celeron J4125 has the Intel Graphics 600 platform, and that turns out to be useful if you have to use Plex’s {hardware} transcodes function. The Ryzen R1600 misses out on this, and whilst you do not technically want to make use of transcodes in Plex — the streaming service’s direct play is greater than satisfactory — in case you have older gadgets that do not have a requisite media codec, the function turns out to be useful. So in the event you nonetheless must transcode content material in Plex, the DS224+ is a better option than the DS723+ and even the DS923+.
On that notice, the DS224+ does a terrific job as a Plex media server; that is clearly a giant use case for the NAS, and I am glad to share that there are completely no points on this regard. I performed 4K content material with excessive bitrates to varied gadgets and transcoded 1080p streams on the iPad Air, and the DS224+ dealt with each duties with out breaking a sweat. If you happen to’re eyeing a NAS as a Plex server, the DiskStation DS224+ is a no brainer.
The NAS comes with 2GB of RAM as normal, and also you get a SO-DIMM that allows you to add one other 4GB. Whereas there are not any slowdowns with 2GB of RAM, I discovered that including extra reminiscence makes a giant distinction in day by day use — notably just a few years down the road — and that is one thing to contemplate. I’d have preferred to see the power so as to add as much as 8GB of RAM, however a complete of 6GB of reminiscence needs to be greater than satisfactory for many use instances.
Synology prioritizes using its personal HDDs above the likes of IronWolf and WD Purple Plus, however you may be glad to know that almost all Seagate and WD-branded NAS HDDs work with none points inside the DS224+. Whereas there are not any IronWolf Professional or Purple Professional drives within the official checklist, Synology highlights IronWolf drives as much as 16TB and Purple Plus drives going as much as 14TB to be used with the DS224+, and that is a great factor.
In day by day use, I obtained slightly below 220MB/s whereas transferring knowledge with Hyperlink Aggregation enabled, and that is according to the likes of the DS723+. The DS224+ is likely one of the greatest 2-bay NAS servers round on the subject of efficiency, and that makes it worthy of consideration.
Synology DiskStation DS224+: Software program
The largest differentiation for Synology is the software program, and the DiskStation DS224+ runs DiskStation Supervisor 7.2 out of the field. That is the most recent model of the web-based OS that is designed for Synology’s servers, and it has an intensive suite of options. Synology Photographs is m favourite, because it lets me simply again up images and movies from all my telephones and different gadgets to the NAS routinely. The service has gotten a lot better lately, and it’s a respectable different to Google Photographs.
Synology Drive does an excellent job as a straightforward approach to share knowledge between machines, and if you wish to use the NAS as a media server, Video Station and Audio Station are terrific. The Workplace shopper is nice as a productiveness suite, and you’ll even run digital machines reliably.
DiskStation Supervisor 7.2 is the very best NAS software program round, and it combines a contemporary visible design with helpful options you really wish to use. One other space the place Synology does an incredible job is with cell utilities, and I routinely use DS video and DS audio on all my Android gadgets and iPads. Whereas the model could not ship the very best {hardware}, it greater than makes up for it with its software program efforts.
Synology DiskStation DS224+: The competitors
If you happen to want greater than two drive bays, the DiskStation DS423+ is a straightforward advice; it makes use of the identical basis because the DS224+ however comes with 4 drive bays, and also you additionally get two M.2 slots. In any other case, it’s similar to the DS224+: you get the identical Intel Celeron J4125, similar 2GB of RAM, and twin Gigabit Ethernet ports. The DS423+ retails for $499 on Amazon — $200 greater than the DS224+.
If you don’t need the power to transcode Plex content material and are in search of a NAS that has a bit of extra grunt, the DiskStation DS723+ could be my advice. It prices $449 proper now, however you get a robust Ryzen R1600, the power to improve to 10GbE connectivity, and M.2 drives.
Synology DiskStation DS224+: Must you purchase it?
You can purchase this if:
- You want a 2-bay NAS as a Plex media server
- You need good efficiency
- You are in search of helpful software program options
- You want a NAS with a great worth
You should not purchase this if:
- You wish to use M.2 drives for storage
- You want multi-Gigabit connectivity
With the DiskStation DS224+, Synology is sustaining the established order. The NAS is not too totally different to its predecessor, however by providing the identical nice options because the DS220+, the model is positioning the DS224+ as the plain alternative for these trying to get a starter NAS. The Celeron J4125 nonetheless has sufficient to supply in 2023, and the truth that you get an iGPU makes it an excellent Plex media server.
Whereas I am miffed on the lack of M.2 drives and a couple of.5 Gigabit connectivity, the DiskStation DS224+ scores extremely on the subject of day by day efficiency and software program options, and on the finish of the day, that issues greater than {hardware} extras. Whereas multi-Gigabit connectivity is gaining floor, a majority of customers eyeing the DiskStation DS224+ might be utilizing Gigabit Ethernet, so it is not an enormous shortcoming.
Finally, if you’d like a 2-bay NAS for storing images, movies, and streaming media to linked gadgets in your own home, there is not a better option than the DiskStation DS224+.
Synology DiskStation DS224+
The DiskStation DS224+ is essentially similar to the DS220+, however the truth that it is utilizing the Intel Celeron J4125 makes it stand out simply that bit extra. If you happen to want a 2-bay NAS to be used as a Plex server, that is the one to get.
