Choosing NAS storage & drives comes down to a practical trade-off: spend less on a four-bay enclosure, or pay more for the rackmount QNAP's listed eight-bay design and extra features. Both are used units that exclude hard drives, so the better fit depends on your planned drive setup, equipment, and tolerance for included-accessory limitations.
Quick verdict
The Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 RNRX4410-100NAS is the clearer choice for a lower upfront price and a setup centered on PC or Mac connectivity. Its listed price is $149.99, and the description includes USB 3.0 plus four bays. The QNAP TS-809U costs $270.75, a $120.76 spread, but its eight-bay, 2U rackmount format, remote-access feature, and listed 1 GB cache make it the more feature-specific option for a rack-oriented setup.
Neither package includes hard drives. The Netgear description also calls out that its power adapter is not included, while the QNAP title specifies that caddies are not included.
At a glance
| Detail | Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 | QNAP TS-809U |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | $149.99 | $270.75 |
| Listed enclosure format | Rackmount network attached storage | 8-bay 2U rackmount NAS storage server |
| Drive status | No HDDs | No HDDs; no caddies |
| Drive support | HDD | HDD; storage format lists HDD & SSD |
| Other listed details | PC and Mac compatible; USB 3.0; four bays | Remote access; 1 GB cache |
Where each product wins
Netgear ReadyNAS 2100: wins on entry price and stated PC/Mac fit
At $149.99, the Netgear keeps the enclosure cost lower by $120.76 than the QNAP. Its PC and Mac compatibility is clearly stated, and USB 3.0 gives the setup a listed connection feature beyond its network-attached-storage role. The four-bay configuration is also plainly identified, making it easier to match against a smaller drive plan.
QNAP TS-809U: wins for the listed eight-bay rackmount design
The QNAP's strongest distinction is its title: an eight-bay, 2U rackmount NAS storage server. That makes it the more relevant choice when the physical rackmount format and listed bay count are central to the installation. Remote access is also listed as a feature, and the unit includes a stated 1 GB cache. Those details help justify considering it despite the higher listed price, though they do not by themselves establish a performance advantage.
Product details
Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 RNRX4410-100NAS
The Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 makes sense for a shopper who wants a rackmount enclosure at the lower listed price and needs compatibility explicitly stated for both PC and Mac. The four-bay layout, HDD support, silver finish, and USB 3.0 detail give the setup a defined starting point without adding a higher enclosure cost. Its limitation is important: the package is listed with no HDDs, and the description specifically says the power adapter is not included. It is also identified as used, so the cosmetic-wear language matters for expectations. Choose it when the $149.99 price, PC/Mac compatibility, and four-bay format align with your plan; avoid making it your first choice if an included power adapter or a larger listed bay count is essential.
QNAP TS-809U 8-Bay 2U Rackmount NAS Storage Server
The QNAP TS-809U is aimed at a different kind of setup. Its title directly identifies an eight-bay, 2U rackmount NAS storage server, while the feature list adds remote access and 1 GB cache. It also lists HDD support and a storage format of HDD & SSD, giving shoppers several concrete specifications to consider when matching the enclosure to their equipment. The limitation is the package wording: no HDDs and no caddies are included. The unit is also marked used, Grade B. At $270.75, it asks for $120.76 more than the Netgear, so its added cost is easiest to justify when the eight-bay rackmount format or remote-access feature is specifically useful rather than simply because the model has a larger number in its name.
Final choice by use case
- Choose the Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 for the lower listed price, four-bay format, USB 3.0, and explicitly stated PC/Mac compatibility.
- Choose the QNAP TS-809U when an eight-bay, 2U rackmount enclosure is the deciding requirement, or when its listed remote-access feature and 1 GB cache fit the intended setup.
- For either choice, plan around the fact that hard drives are not included. The Netgear additionally lists no power adapter, while the QNAP title says no caddies are included.
