Synology has a transparent understanding of what its prospects need in a house server, and whereas the model would not ship the perfect {hardware} bundle, it is the polished software program mixed with ease-of-use that make its NAS merchandise stand out from the pack. That’s significantly true on the subject of the funds section; the DiskStation DS220j was one of many best-selling servers during the last three years primarily due to its affordability.The DS220j lowered the barrier to entry for these eager to check out a prebuilt NAS server, and coming in at $189 for a 2-bay NAS, it had a terrific worth. Synology delivered the long-awaited replace to the DS220j final 12 months, with the DiskStation DS223j slotting in on the similar $189 worth level. This is an enormous deal because it permits Synology to take care of its dominance within the funds class.The DS223j has the identical design as its predecessor, and you will not be capable of inform each NAS servers aside in the event you cowl up the identify. But the server has 1GB of RAM — double that of the DS220j — and that makes a distinction in every day use. You additionally get a couple of extras, so in the event you’re seeking to swap to a non-public cloud server and are contemplating a house NAS, here is what you are getting with the DS223j.Synology DiskStation DS223j: Pricing and availability(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Synology launched the DiskStation DS223j in July 2023, and the 2-bay NAS is obtainable for $189 on Amazon. You can even purchase the server at main retailers like Newegg and B&H in North America, and it’s obtainable in all markets the place the model has a presence.You normally get a three-year guarantee with most DiskStation NAS servers, however because the DS223j is aimed on the funds section, it has a two-year customary guarantee.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySynology DiskStation DS223jInternal Drive BaysTwo (16TB every bay), 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5-inch SSDNetwork Interface1 x Gigabit EthernetUSB Ports2 x USB 3.1 Gen1eSATA Ports❌PCIe❌CPU1.7GHz 64-bit quad-core Realtek RTD1619BPlex Transcoding❌RAM1GB DDR4 non-ECC, solderedM.2 Slots❌File SystemEXT4, BtrfsCooling1 x 92mm fan, 18.2dBAExtensibility❌Dimensions165 x 100 x 225.5mmWeight1.94lb, 0.88 kgSynology DiskStation DS223j: Design and options(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Most DiskStation fashions have the identical aesthetic with an all-black design and drive bays that slide out, however the entry-level J collection is a bit of completely different. The DS223j retains the identical design because the DS220j, and also you get a white housing with a shroud that covers one facet. The key distinction is that not like different servers, you do not get slide-out drive bays; you may as an alternative must take away the casing to insert HDDs throughout the server, and it is not as handy.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)That mentioned, you are not going going to entry the drive bays with any quantity of regularity, so it is not too bothersome. The chassis itself is made out of plastic, and also you get the identical vented sides that present passive airflow. There’s a 92mm fan on the again that does job with energetic cooling, and whereas the design is a bit fundamental, the construct high quality is nice, and the DS223j would not take up a lot room.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You get standing indicators for the onerous drives and community connectivity, and an general system LED. There are not any USB ports on the entrance, however you get two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports on the again, and you may join an exterior drive and switch its information to the DS223j with relative ease.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Switching to the again, you do not get a lot apart from the twin USB-A ports and a Gigabit Ethernet port. There’s no Link Aggregation right here, and you do not get any improve choices. That mentioned, what I like with this era is that the DS223j has 1GB of DDR4 reminiscence out of the field, and that makes a sizeable distinction in every day use. The DS220j was fairly restricted on this space, and the extra reminiscence provides the DS223j a little bit of a headroom, and that is nice to see.There is not a lot else to speak about on the connectivity facet of issues. The DS223j is designed to be a fundamental residence server that allows you to retailer your information in a centralized location, and contemplating the section it’s aimed toward, it misses out on the superior options you get in different fashions.Synology DiskStation DS223j: Performance(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There is not an entire lot completely different between the DS223j and its predecessor, however the important thing change is the 1GB of reminiscence. This provides the NAS the power to run a number of packages with none points, and on condition that there isn’t any solution to improve the RAM module, it’s a welcome addition.The DS223j additionally will get a more recent Realtek RTD1619B chip that goes as much as 1.7GHz, and once more, it’s a smidgen extra highly effective than what was obtainable final 12 months. You do not get Plex {hardware} transcoding, and the NAS is not designed to be a Plex server; sure, you possibly can set up the native Plex shopper and stream to linked units, nevertheless it hits its restrict with excessive bitrate content material.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)That mentioned, the DS223j offers some of the inexpensive methods to get your palms on the excellent DiskStation Manager software program. You get a sturdy set of utilities that allow you to again up information out of your telephones and different units with ease, arrange a number of customized providers, and customarily cut back your reliance on public cloud storage providers.In my put up detailing what a NAS is and who wants one, I talked concerning the concept of a non-public cloud being the largest draw to establishing a house server, and merchandise just like the DS223j are designed to decrease the barrier to entry. If you could have restricted storage necessities and are not positive in the event you want a prebuilt NAS, this can be a nice solution to check the waters and see what the software program has to supply.While you miss out on among the extra superior options — containerization and digital machines — the DS223j has all of the requisite software program aimed toward residence customers, and also you get to make use of Synology’s terrific cellular apps. What I like concerning the DS223j is that it would not really feel sluggish; the web-based DSM runs effectively on the NAS, and it does job delivering the fundamentals.Synology DiskStation DS223j: The competitors(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)TerraMaster’s F2-212 is a good different if you’d like a greater worth. It is obtainable at simply $169, and also you get the identical Realtek platform, 1GB of RAM, and two drive bays. The software program is not fairly as polished as what you get with the DS223j, however TerraMaster is making good headway on this space.If you need one thing with a bit extra energy, the DiskStation DS224+ is the server to get. It is costlier at $295, however you get 2GB of RAM, twin Gigabit Ethernet ports, and all of the software program utilities that the model offers. Yes, you might be paying extra, however you are getting a a lot better product in return.Synology DiskStation DS223j: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You can buy this if:You desire a residence server to retailer informationYou want dependable {hardware}You desire a polished software program interfaceYou want a NAS with two drive baysYou should not purchase this if:You desire a Plex media serverYou want the choice to improve down the lineUltimately, in the event you’re simply getting began with a house server and need to see the way it will suit your wants, the DiskStation DS223j is an effective place to begin. Its affordability makes it a robust contender, and also you get respectable {hardware} with confirmed reliability, standout software program options, and worth.The DS223j would not fairly have the identical quantity of options because the Plus fashions, however there’s nonetheless lots to love on the software program facet of issues, and DiskStation Manager is probably the most polished interface on this class. That alone makes the DS223j an alluring alternative; you are shopping for the NAS not for its {hardware}, however to make use of the terrific software program. That is the important thing differentiator for the DS223j, and why I feel it’s nonetheless the perfect inexpensive residence NAS.
Synology DiskStation DS223j
The DiskStation DS223j is a good place to begin in the event you’re focused on establishing a house server. It has the perfect software program in its class, and it has dependable {hardware} that ought to final a number of years.