Big News for NAS Enthusiasts!

In a major announcement that will shift the landscape for network-attached storage (NAS) users, Synology has declared that its upcoming "Plus" series devices—debuting with the 2025 lineup—will mandate the use of Synology-branded drives for optimal functionality.

Why the Change?

A representative explained that using drives thoroughly vetted by Synology ensures a lower likelihood of failures and compatibility issues. This revelation came in an email to Ars Technica, following a policy notice that surfaced on Synology's German site earlier this week.

What Happens Without Synology Drives?

Without a Synology-approved drive, users risk encountering significant problems such as storage pool failures and loss of critical features like volume-wide deduplication. Essentially, your NAS could become less effective—and that’s something any user wants to avoid!

A Path to Flexibility?

However, there’s a silver lining: Synology plans to introduce a "curated drive compatibility framework" for third-party drives in the future. Users will even have the option to submit their drives for testing to see if they meet Synology’s rigorous standards.

Legacy Support Remains!

For those who already own Plus models prior to the 2025 series, rest easy! These devices will still support a variety of third-party drives. Additionally, existing J and Value series models won’t be affected by this new policy.

Cost Concerns for Users!

It's worth noting that while Synology’s drives offer high security and performance, they often come with a hefty price tag. For instance, an 8TB Synology HAT3310 HDD is priced at $210, while a comparable Toshiba N300 can be purchased for about $173 elsewhere. Shoppers will need to weigh the costs versus the benefits!

Final Thoughts!

The introduction of this policy by Synology marks a significant pivot towards ensuring better performance and reliability for users. While it might limit options, it also promises a more streamlined and efficient NAS experience. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops!