Choosing the right NAS storage & drives setup comes down to a practical fork: do you want a lower-cost enclosure where you supply the drives, or a home NAS with storage and backup features already included? The Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 and LinkStation 210 take different paths, so the lower listed price is not the whole decision.
Quick verdict
The Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 is the better fit for shoppers who already have suitable HDDs and want a four-bay unit compatible with PC and Mac. Its title clearly says "NO HDDs," and the power adapter is not included. The LinkStation 210 is the more straightforward choice for someone who wants included storage, RAID, centralized storage, scheduled backups, and secure file-sharing features in the same purchase. The trade-off is a $119 price spread between the two options.
Compact comparison
| Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 | LinkStation 210 | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 149.99 | USD 268.99 |
| Storage path | NO HDDs; 4 bays | 2TB; included HDD |
| Drive support | HDD | HDD |
| Condition | Used | New |
| Listed setup details | PC, Mac; USB 3.0; 3.5-inch form factor | RAID; scheduled backups; SSL encryption; secure file sharing |
Where each product wins
Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 wins for a drive-supplied setup
At $149.99, the ReadyNAS 2100 is the lower-priced route. Its four listed bays and HDD support suit shoppers who want to choose the drives for a network attached storage setup, while PC and Mac compatibility keeps the intended computer environments clear. USB 3.0 is another specific connection detail. The limitation is equally clear: storage is not included, and the power adapter is also excluded. That makes this option a better match for someone prepared to assemble the required pieces rather than someone seeking an all-in-one starting point.
LinkStation 210 wins for included storage and backup tools
At $268.99, the LinkStation 210 costs $119 more, but its title and features describe a 2TB NAS with an included HDD. RAID, centralized storage, scheduled backups, SSL encryption, individual access restrictions, and secure file sharing give it a more feature-led backup profile. Its main win is convenience around the storage setup and file-management functions. The higher listed price remains the concrete limitation, so the extra outlay makes the most sense when those included capabilities matter more than selecting your own drives.
Product notes
Netgear ReadyNAS 2100
The Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 is a sensible starting point for a shopper who already has HDDs and wants a four-bay unit for a PC or Mac setup. Its listed USB 3.0 connection adds a concrete connectivity detail, while the 3.5-inch form factor identifies the drive format shown for the unit. The key limitation is important: the title says "NO HDDs," and the description also states that the power adapter is not included. It is listed as used, so cosmetic wear is part of the condition description. Choose it when the four-bay layout and control over drive selection outweigh the work of supplying the missing storage and adapter.
2TB Network Attached Storage - LinkStation 210
The LinkStation 210 makes the clearer case for a buyer who wants storage included rather than a drive-less enclosure. Its title identifies 2TB, and its feature list calls out RAID, centralized storage, scheduled backups, SSL encryption, individual access restrictions, and secure file sharing. That bundle is the main reason to choose it for shared files and routine backups. The trade-off is its higher listed price, along with a setup path centered on the included HDD rather than user-selected drives. Pick it when built-in storage and backup controls are more important than the flexibility of starting with an empty four-bay unit.
Final choice by use case
- Choose the Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 if you already have HDDs, want four listed bays, or prefer the $149.99 entry price. Factor in the explicit "NO HDDs" title, missing power adapter, and used condition.
- Choose the LinkStation 210 if you want an included HDD, RAID, scheduled backups, encryption, access restrictions, and secure file sharing in one storage setup. The $119 higher price is the cost of that different starting point.
For a home NAS assembled around your own drives, the ReadyNAS 2100 is the clearer match. For included storage and a more defined backup feature set, the LinkStation 210 is the more direct choice.
