The Synology BeeStation Plus is a network-attached storage (NAS) device designed to provide a straightforward solution for users seeking accessible storage on their home network. While it offers several user-friendly features, it also comes with certain limitations that potential buyers should consider.
Design and Build
Measuring 7.72 inches in length, 5.82 inches in width, and 2.46 inches in height, the BeeStation Plus resembles a compact hard drive enclosure rather than a traditional NAS device. Its sleek design allows it to fit unobtrusively behind a monitor or inside a closet, making it a set-and-forget device for many users. The top features a vented section for heat dissipation, while the base is equipped with rubber feet to ensure stability. The sides are minimalistic, adorned only with Synology’s Bee logo. The front panel is unadorned, and the rear houses the device’s connectivity ports.
Connectivity Options
The BeeStation Plus includes a standard Gigabit Ethernet port, which is sufficient for the average home user. While some NAS devices offer multiple Ethernet connections for redundancy or increased speed, the single Gigabit port aligns with the device’s target audience who prioritize simplicity over advanced networking features. Additionally, the device is equipped with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports—one USB-A and one USB-C. These ports allow users to connect external drives, flash drives, or camera memory cards. Connected drives can be automatically backed up, and their contents can be made accessible to anyone on the network, depending on the user’s settings. However, it’s important to note that while the USB ports support speeds up to 5 gigabits per second, network access is limited to 1 gigabit per second, making the higher USB speeds less impactful in practical use.
Storage Capacity and Redundancy
A significant upgrade from its predecessor, the BeeStation Plus offers 8TB of onboard storage, doubling the capacity of the original BeeStation. However, this storage is provided through a single drive, which presents certain drawbacks. Unlike multi-bay NAS devices that can utilize RAID configurations for data redundancy and improved performance, the single-drive setup of the BeeStation Plus lacks these benefits. In the event of a drive failure, data loss is a real risk, as there is no redundancy to safeguard the stored information. Furthermore, the device is not designed for user-replaceable drives, making future capacity upgrades challenging.
Performance and Functionality
Under the hood, the BeeStation Plus is powered by an Intel Celeron D4125 processor, replacing the RealTek processor found in the original model. This change, along with an increase in memory from 1GB to 4GB of DDR4 RAM, enhances the device’s overall performance. Synology has intentionally simplified the device’s functionality to cater to users who may not be familiar with complex NAS configurations. The BeeStation Plus is managed through desktop and mobile applications available for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android, as well as via web browsers.
The device offers several features, including an AI-powered photo album that automatically categorizes images using machine learning. It supports integration with cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox, allowing users to unify their cloud storage access. A notable addition is support for Plex, enabling the BeeStation Plus to function as a media server for TV shows and movies. While it performs adequately in this role, users are advised to utilize direct play without transcoding for optimal performance.
For data backup, Synology provides options to back up the BeeStation Plus to another Synology NAS, Synology’s C2 cloud storage, or an external drive connected via USB. Additionally, a three-month trial of BeeProtect is included, offering client-side AES-256 encrypted backups to Synology’s cloud service. This service retains up to eight versions of data, with daily backups from the past week and one from the previous week. However, after the trial period, BeeProtect requires a subscription, and users should be mindful of the potential bandwidth usage associated with uploading large amounts of data.
Conclusion
The Synology BeeStation Plus serves as an accessible entry point into network-attached storage for users with basic storage needs. Its compact design, ease of use, and integration with various services make it suitable for those seeking a straightforward NAS solution. However, its single-drive configuration, lack of data redundancy, and limited expandability may not meet the requirements of users seeking more robust and scalable storage solutions. For individuals who prioritize data protection and future-proofing, exploring multi-bay NAS options with RAID capabilities would be advisable.
Pros:
– Compact and unobtrusive design
– User-friendly setup and management
– Integration with cloud services and media streaming platforms
Cons:
– Single-drive configuration with no RAID support
– Limited expandability and upgrade options
– Potential data loss risk due to lack of redundancy
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
