Synology's new DS1618+ is a powerful 6-bay NAS for the home

The DS1618+ may expect familiar, even though it's a new Network Attached Storage (NAS) model. It shares a similar pattern to the already bachelor DS3018xs and both are 6-bay configurations. What sets the two apart and makes this new NAS rather exciting for those who need more storage is the DS1618+ isnot merely more affordable just as well comes rocking a meliorate processor.

It certainly looks proficient on paper and then I took the new NAS for a spin to see how it fares in the real world.

Expanded storage

Synology DS1618+

Starts at around $799

Bottom line: The DS1618+ is a serious NAS that allows y'all to install up to six hard drives for ridiculous amounts of storage infinite. It's too backed by Synology's fantabulous DSM software and comes with numerous plug-ins for external service support.

Pros:

DSM is excellent.
Silent operation.
Corking software support.
Quick eject bays.

Cons:

Bulldoze bays could suspension easily.
Can go very expensive with HDDs.

What makes the DS1618+ so proficient

If you've read my Synology DS218+ review, yous'll know I'thou a big fan of the Synology hardware and software package available. It's a nifty mix of user-friendliness and functionality, allowing you lot to get as basic or advanced as yous like. That'south what makes the affordable series well worth the investment. When it comes to more pricey options, similar the new DS1618+, you lot'll need to use it to justify the cost. It'south a serious NAS, sporting a full of six bays for drives.

That capacity allows yous to install six 12TB drives for a total of 72TB — more than enough today, merely in the years alee it'll easier than you think to make full upwards a NAS. You can connect your Plex account and fix upward a media server, accept surveillance cameras upload a week's worth of recordings, prepare up file storage for the whole family, and backups of all your Windows 10 PCs. Taking full advantage of a NAS tin come across its complimentary internal storage disappear speedily.

If you need massive amounts of continued storage, the DS1618+ is an ideal choice.

Thinking nearly six hard drives in a hot-swap configuration may lead you lot to believe the DS1618+ would be a bulky unit, merely Synology always manages to proceed their NAS products compact. Moving up from a DS218 series volition non see y'all accept upward much more than room, aside from the wider chassis to accommodate a further four drives. It'south also nearly silent, considering there are two fans on the rear to keep everything cool.

Iv LAN ports are bachelor on the rear, and there are two USB 2.0 ports, with one USB 3.0 on the front. The PSU is inside the unit also, negating the demand for an external power brick. For LEDs, in that location are 13 on the forepart of the DS1618+, ane for power, another for status, a third for alerts, and the remaining four dedicated to LAN activity. A further six are located on each bay for difficult drive activity.

And speaking of bays, in order to remove each one to gain access to the drive, you demand to use the included tool to unlock them. Information technology's a quick process that takes just a 2d to unlock and pull out a drive bay. Once you accept everything configured as you like, the DiskStation Director (DSM) software is excellent, making information technology like shooting fish in a barrel to manage the NAS, install plug-ins and go along everything running smoothly.

What you may dislike virtually the DS1618+

There'due south not a whole lot to dislike about the DS1618+. The only negatives I could come up with through utilize is the drive bays being a piffling fragile. They won't break if you make sure to use the tool correctly each time, merely it may be possible to suspension them if you lot're non careful enough. That said, once the drives are locked in place, there's no moving them without considerable amounts of strength.

Every bit with most NAS solutions that are ready to go, the DS1618+ is a pricey choice, particularly when you add in a number of drives. This tin can put off potential buyers, but for what yous go with this NAS, information technology'due south a price worth paying. You lot should too behave in mind that this isn't set up for 4K transcoding. It has a capable Intel quad-cadre processor, only goose egg that meets the requirements for said intense tasks.

Should you buy the Synology DS1618+?

This question depends on your NAS needs. Practice y'all crave more than two bays? Well-nigh homeowners don't, which is where the exceptionally expert DS218 serial comes into play. Those who have an office at domicile, or piece of work in one for a company volition no doubt require more storage space, and this is when numerous drive bays brand sense.

In that location'south enough ability for all the basic NAS tasks, as well equally a piddling headroom for media streaming and more than. Overall, the hardware and software parcel makes a Synology NAS a compelling buy and the DS1618+ is a solid piece of kit, worth every penny.

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