Top 10 Network-Attached Storage Devices

LinkStation Pro Duo

Bottom Line: Business-centric NAS offers reasonable performance and backup software, but no frills.

PC World Rating: 74.5 (Very Good)

1. Price When Reviewed: $280
2. Drive size (GB): 1000GB
3. Supported Interface(s): USB 2.0, gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Buffer Size (MB): 16
6. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.28

Cube Station CS407

Bottom Line: Graphical, friendly software and extra features like photo sharing and IP camera support distinguish this four-bay NAS drive.

PC World Rating: 74.7 (Very Good)

1. Price When Reviewed: $809
2. Drive size (GB): 2000GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Buffer Size (MB): 16
6. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.4

Disk Station DS207+

Bottom Line: Compact, full-featured two-bay network storage device includes easy-to-use software and a robust set of features.

PC World Rating: 76.2 (Good)

1. Price When Reviewed: $429
2. Drive size (GB): 1000GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Buffer Size (MB): 16
6. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.43

Storcenter Network Hard Drive

Bottom Line: Easy to configure, fast network drive offers a deep feature set suitable for both home and office.

PC World Rating: 76.3 (Good)

1. Price When Reviewed: $300
2. Drive size (GB): 1000GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Buffer Size (MB): 16
6. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.3

Shared Storage II

Bottom Line: Solid performer has a backup button, a print server, and a media server, and helps organize media files.

PC World Rating: 76.4 (Good)

1. Price When Reviewed: $500
2. Drive size (GB): 1000GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Buffer Size (MB): 16
6. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.5

MY Book World Edition 1TB

Bottom Line: Excellent streaming performance highlights this ultra-stylish box, though parts of its interface still need refinement.

PC World Rating: 76.6 (Fair)

1. Price When Reviewed: $200
2. Drive size (GB): 1000GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Buffer Size (MB): 16
6. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.2

Readynas NV+ 1TB Gigabit Desktop Network Storage

Bottom Line: This fast but expensive device comes with deep settings that are well suited for business use.

PC World Rating: 79.7 (Very Good)

1. Price When Reviewed: $700
2. Drive size (GB): 1000GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Buffer Size (MB): 16
6. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.7

Readynas DUO

Bottom Line: Compact, two-bay, hot-swappable NAS device packs a strong punch, both in features and performance.

PC World Rating: 80.4 (Fair)

1. Price When Reviewed: $400
2. Drive size (GB): 500GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Buffer Size (MB): 16
6. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.8

MediaSmart ex487

Bottom Line: This highly capable unit's Windows Home Server software blesses it with features, but curses it with unnecessary complexity.

PC World Rating: 80.5 (Fair)

1. Price When Reviewed: $675
2. Drive size (GB): 1500GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.45

Disk Station DS209+

Bottom Line: Super-fast NAS box has tons of robust server-level features and streams photos, music, and videos with the best of them.

PC World Rating: 81.9 (Good)

1. Price When Reviewed: $700
2. Drive size (GB): 1000GB
3. Supported Interface(s): Gigabit ethernet
4. Speed (RPM): 7200
5. Cost per Gigabyte: $0.7