Network-attached storage (NAS) refers to a hard drive enclosure or server that is connected to a computer network to enable storage and file sharing between multiple connected devices. A PC, or personal computer, is a general-purpose computer used by individuals for tasks like accessing the internet, creating documents, storing files, gaming and more. At a basic level, the key difference between NAS and PC is that a NAS is a dedicated storage device meant for backing up files and sharing over a network, while a PC is a general computing device that can also be used for storage.
In comparing NAS versus PC for storage, the main considerations are storage capacity, redundancy, access and sharing, performance, security, scalability, cost, and ease of use. This analysis examines the pros and cons of using a NAS versus a PC for networked file storage to determine which solution is better for most home and small business users.
Storage Capacity
When it comes to maximum storage capacity, NAS devices tend to have an edge over regular PCs. Many consumer NAS units can support up to 5-6 hard drives, with some professional models supporting up to 12-16 drives. With today’s large capacity hard drives, this allows a single NAS to store dozens of terabytes of data. For example, a 6-bay NAS loaded with 16TB drives could provide up to 96TB of raw storage.
In contrast, most regular PCs max out at around 8 internal hard drive bays. While some exceptions exist, going beyond 8 drives usually requires adding an external enclosure over USB or eSATA which is slower and less reliable. Even with 8 drives, most PCs top out at 64TB or so.
The abundant storage capacity of a NAS is beneficial for large media libraries, backups, surveillance recordings, and other data hoarding applications. With a multi-bay NAS, you can continuously add more drives over time as your needs grow. This modular and expandable nature makes NAS very scalable for storage capacity.
According to forums, some users with extensive storage needs have turned to building PCs with 12+ drives. However, purpose-built NAS units with well-designed drive bays tend to be easier to set up and maintain for maximum storage.
Data Redundancy and Backup
NAS devices are designed specifically for data redundancy and backup. Many NAS operating systems like Synology DSM allow you to easily set up RAID arrays, which spread data across multiple drives to protect against drive failures. Some NAS devices also support hot swappable drives, allowing a failed drive to be replaced without downtime. In addition, NAS devices have built-in backup solutions like snapshots and replication to backup servers or cloud services. This makes data backup seamless and hands-off.
In contrast, implementing redundancy and backup on a regular PC takes more effort. While RAID arrays are possible by adding multiple drives, the setup process is more complex and OS support for hot swappable drives varies. Consumer PCs also lack built-in data replication and backup features, requiring 3rd party software and manual configuration. Whereas NAS devices are purpose-built for data protection, redundancy and backup tend to be afterthoughts on a standard PC.
According to a Reddit user, “Once you start having hundreds of TB, have redundancy drives is a much more affordable solution and a NAS is more attractive.”[1] The specialized redundancy and backup capabilities give NAS devices a clear advantage for protecting irreplaceable data.
Data Access and Sharing
One of the key advantages of NAS is the ability to access files from anywhere. With NAS, files can be accessed remotely over the network or internet, allowing users to share and collaborate efficiently. According to this Reddit discussion, NAS makes it easy to mount shared folders as network drives.
In contrast, accessing files on a regular PC is limited to when you are physically at that computer. While Windows file sharing can enable some remote access, it is not designed primarily for convenient remote collaboration. As this article points out, NAS is purpose-built for simultaneously sharing files and folders with multiple users.
Overall, the specialized network sharing capabilities of NAS make it far more flexible and accessible compared to a standard PC when it comes to remote data access and collaboration across devices and users.
Performance and Speed
When comparing the performance and speed of a diskless NAS vs a PC, there are a few key factors to consider:
Diskless NAS devices rely on the network to access data stored remotely, while PCs access data locally from internal hard drives. This means that network speed is a major bottleneck for NAS performance. A gigabit ethernet connection can provide speeds around 100 MB/s, while SATA hard drives in a PC commonly deliver 150-200 MB/s sequential speeds [1].
The type of tasks being performed also impacts relative performance. A NAS excels at sequential file transfers, but random I/O performance tends to be better on a PC with internal drives. This makes the PC better suited for tasks like running databases or virtual machines [2].
RAID configurations can significantly improve NAS speeds by allowing concurrent access across multiple drives. But this requires more advanced and expensive NAS units. Overall, a PC will usually provide better performance, especially for random I/O and latency-sensitive applications.
Security
One of the main security advantages of a NAS is that it runs a dedicated operating system designed specifically for NAS devices, such as Synology DSM, QNAP QTS, or Asustor ADM. These have security features built-in like encrypted connections, firewalls, and role-based access controls to limit user permissions. Since the OS is designed just for storage and networking tasks, the attack surface is much smaller than a general purpose OS like Windows or Linux on a regular PC.
Comparatively, PCs run more complex operating systems with many services and background programs running, opening up potential security vulnerabilities. Connecting PC storage directly to the network also allows potential malware access to data. According to a discussion on Reddit, NAS devices like QNAP run a locked down Linux OS that is more inherently secure than a Windows PC continuously connected to the internet [1].
Additionally, NAS systems have built-in security protections like encrypted hard drive access and integration with Active Directory for centralized user management not found on typical PC setups. Overall, purpose-built NAS devices tend to provide better security for protecting network-attached storage.
Scalability
NAS devices offer excellent scalability options. Most NAS operating systems allow you to easily add additional hard drives to expand storage capacity. Many NAS devices have empty drive bays ready for expansion. High-end NAS devices support clustering multiple NAS units together into a single storage pool. According to Quora, NAS devices provide centralized storage that’s easy to expand, unlike adding drives to a PC which is limited by the number of bays.
In contrast, PCs have some significant constraints when it comes to scalability. There’s limited space internally, and only a certain number of drives can be added. Expanding a PC’s storage requires opening up the case and installing more physical drives, which is much more difficult and time-consuming compared to NAS. PCs lack centralized management and combining storage pools across multiple PCs requires third-party software. Overall, NAS provides seamless expandability while PC storage scalability is limited by hardware and much more difficult to achieve.
Cost
One key consideration when deciding between a NAS and a PC is the cost. NAS hardware is specifically designed for storage and networking capabilities, while a regular PC has more generalized components. Here’s a look at the cost differences:
NAS hardware from top brands like Synology, QNAP, or Asustor can range from a few hundred dollars for an entry-level 2-bay NAS to over $1,000 for a high-end multi-bay NAS. For example, the Synology DS220+ 2-bay NAS costs around $300. In comparison, building a DIY PC for use as a NAS could potentially be cheaper depending on the components used.
However, one cost advantage of a pre-built NAS is lower power consumption, since NAS devices are optimized for low energy use. Typical PC components like GPUs use more electricity. Over years of continuous operation, a NAS may save on electricity bills versus a PC NAS.
Looking at total cost of ownership, a key benefit of an off-the-shelf NAS is easier setup and management. A DIY PC NAS requires more technical skill to select parts, assemble, and configure the system. The hassle of maintenance and upgrades is also less with a dedicated NAS. So while a DIY NAS may cost less upfront, a pre-built NAS can save time and effort long-term.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use and setup, NAS devices have a clear advantage over traditional PCs. As this AVS Forum thread points out, NAS devices are designed specifically for storage and sharing. The operating system and interface on a NAS are optimized for these purposes, allowing easy management of storage pools, users, permissions, backups, etc. PCs running Windows or other general purpose OS require more technical knowledge and effort to configure file sharing and user access.
In terms of initial setup, NAS devices are plug and play – simply connect to the network and power on to get started. According to users on Tom’s Hardware forums, NAS setup is “foolproof” compared to a DIY PC file server which requires installing an OS, configuring shares and users, remote access, etc. NAS devices also include setup wizards, extensive help documentation, and phone support.
Ongoing management and maintenance is also simpler with a NAS. Critical tasks like backup jobs, OS updates, drive health monitoring, and security scanning can be automated. With a PC file server, the user has to manually configure and run these tasks. Overall, NAS devices provide streamlined, purpose-built storage management versus the learning curve and effort required for a general purpose PC.
Conclusion
In summary, the key differences between a NAS and a PC come down to storage capacity, data redundancy, performance, security, scalability, cost, and ease of use. NAS devices excel in providing large centralized storage, built-in RAID configurations for protection against drive failures, optimized hardware for fast file transfers, more advanced security options, and the ability to easily expand storage capacity and access as needs grow. They also tend to have higher upfront costs but lower power consumption over time compared to a PC server.
PCs can potentially match or exceed a NAS in certain areas like raw performance with enough high-end hardware. However, they require more IT expertise to configure and maintain this higher level of performance and redundancy. PCs also lack the optimized operating systems and hardware of a true NAS.
For most small businesses, NAS is the better choice over a standard PC for dedicated networked storage and backup. NAS devices provide fast centralized storage optimized for shared access, data protection, expandability, ease of use, and low maintenance costs. For larger organizations with specialized performance needs and dedicated IT staff, a custom-built PC server may be required, but comes with more complexity. For general file serving, shared storage, and backup though, NAS is the superior dedicated solution.