Synology HDD and SSDs ONLY - CONFIRMED for 2025 NAS Series

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the potential move by Synology to restrict compatibility of their 2025 series NAS devices to only their own storage drives. The move could simplify support and create profit through bundled offerings, but it also limits user flexibility, particularly for those relying on third-party drives or seeking larger storage capacities. The speaker expresses concern about the quality and performance of Synology’s drives and calls for clear communication from the company about this potential change. The video highlights the tension between convenience for Synology and reduced options for users.

Takeaways

• 😀 Synology is reportedly moving towards a strategy where their 2025 series of NAS devices will only be compatible with Synology-branded storage drives.
• 😀 The term 'locked-in' is used to describe this shift, though the speaker acknowledges it's a negative term, suggesting it may not fully capture the situation.
• 😀 There have been numerous leaks and reports indicating this change, but as of now, there has been no official confirmation from Synology.
• 😀 One potential reason for this shift is to streamline support and optimization, as using a limited set of drives could reduce compatibility issues.
• 😀 This move could also allow Synology to offer more bundled packages (e.g., pre-populated NAS units) and potentially lower prices for consumers.
• 😀 The change could impact users who prefer third-party drives or require higher-capacity drives (e.g., 18-24TB), as Synology’s own drives may have more limited options.
• 😀 Synology's own enterprise drives are more expensive compared to other options, which may deter budget-conscious users.
• 😀 Users may face limitations in terms of drive capacity, as Synology's range of available drives may not cover all user needs, especially in higher capacity segments.
• 😀 Compatibility issues with third-party SSDs could arise, as Synology's SSD offerings may not match the performance or durability levels of other brands.
• 😀 The speaker is frustrated with this potential change, comparing it to a situation where a user of one brand (like Dell) is forced to use products from another brand (like HP).
• 😀 Despite the speaker's concerns, they stress that without an official announcement, these issues remain speculative, and further clarification from Synology is needed.

Q & A

What is the main concern discussed in the transcript regarding Synology's 2025 series devices?

The main concern is that Synology is potentially moving towards exclusive compatibility with their own storage drives, making it impossible or more difficult for users to use third-party drives with the new 2025 series devices.

What term does the speaker initially use to describe Synology's move, and why does the speaker stop using it?

The speaker initially uses the term 'locked in' to describe Synology's move but stops using it due to the negative connotations of the word. Instead, they acknowledge that the new devices may only support Synology's own drives.

What are the potential motivations behind Synology's decision to limit compatibility to its own drives?

Synology may be seeking to reduce time spent on compatibility issues, optimize their devices for a specific range of drives, and potentially offer more streamlined bundles with populated devices. There's also the possibility of profit considerations and tariffs influencing this decision.

How does the speaker view the potential impact of this decision on existing Synology users?

The speaker believes this decision will have a negative impact on existing Synology users, especially those who are accustomed to using third-party drives and now face restricted options with the 2025 series devices.

What are some of the drawbacks of Synology's own drives, according to the speaker?

The speaker points out that Synology's own drives, while durable, lack high performance compared to other third-party options. They also do not offer an M.2 NVMe flash system, and their SSD range is limited in terms of variety and performance.

What specific products and series are mentioned in relation to Synology's potential shift to exclusive drive compatibility?

The speaker mentions devices like the DS925 Plus, DS1525 Plus, and DS224 Plus, as well as the possibility of compatibility issues with enterprise-grade SSDs and hard drives in these systems.

Why does the speaker express concern about the potential use of enterprise drives in non-enterprise systems?

The speaker is concerned that using enterprise-grade drives in consumer systems like the DS625 Slim would be overkill and not suitable for the durability level required for such systems, leading to unnecessary expense and inefficiency.

How does the speaker feel about the lack of variety in Synology's drive offerings?

The speaker is dissatisfied with the limited range of drives, particularly with the absence of higher-capacity options beyond 20TB and the pricing of Synology's enterprise drives compared to other market options.

What does the speaker suggest about Synology's potential move to phase out the J-series of devices?

The speaker briefly touches on the possibility of Synology phasing out the J-series, which are lower-cost models, in favor of more expensive options like the BS Station, indicating concerns over profitability and drive compatibility.

What is the speaker's overall opinion on Synology's potential shift towards exclusive drive compatibility?

The speaker is highly critical of Synology's potential move, viewing it as a restrictive, profit-driven decision that could reduce the flexibility and user choice that many existing users appreciate. They express disappointment and frustration with this direction.