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The new Synology Disk Station 109 is a dream, as it provides users with an impressive level of performance without the price tag that is generally associated with high-performance NAS devices. Priced at just $230 US, we consider the Synology DS109 to be a bargain, and although it is possible to purchase single bay versions for as little as $100 US, such as the DS108j, they do not deliver the same experience. Although the Synology DS108j for example, costs just $110 US, its 200MHz processor and 32MB of memory delivers less performance than the old DS107. The new DS109 on the other hand crushed the DS107, making it look its age. In terms of price and performance Synology has hit the sweet spot with the DS109. Those looking for a more powerful single bay NAS device must look to the DS109+, but with a retail price of $400 US we find it far less appealing. The DS109+ features 512MB of memory opposed to the stingy 128MB of the DS109. Furthermore, although the processor featured on the DS109+ is clocked lower, it is a more powerful alternative and therefore helps the plus outperform the standard DS109. Realistically the DS109+ makes more sense for heavy users, but for general usage the DS109 is every bit as good. What we also like about the DS109 is not only that it provides users with an impressive level of performance, but that it also sports the new Synology Disk Station Manager 2.1 software. When buying a Synology NAS product this is partly what you are paying for, the excellent software. In fact, it was this software that originally won us over to Synology’s products, and since then it has only continued to get better and better. The DSM 2.1 software lets the DS109 become much more than just a simple storage device, allowing it to serve several purposes. This software enables the DS109 to become a printer, mail and web server, while it can also serve as a surveillance hub, backup, download, audio and even a photo station, to name just a few. Not only does the software let the DS109 to carry out these tasks, but it allows it to do it well.
Reviewed By Steven Walton |
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