Choosing NAS storage & drives comes down to a clear trade-off: pay less for the Netgear ReadyNAS 2100, or spend more on the Synology DS423 for an enclosure with more explicitly named hardware details. Both are four-bay network attached storage enclosures. The Netgear is USD 149.99 and the Synology is USD 374.99, a $225 spread that makes upfront cost a central part of the decision.
Quick verdict
Netgear is the lower-cost route for shoppers who can account for its no-HDD and no-power-adapter limitations. Synology is the better fit when a diskless enclosure with more explicitly named hardware justifies the higher upfront outlay. Neither is a complete drive package, so the enclosure choice should come before planning the storage drives themselves.
At a glance
| Comparison | Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 | Synology DS423 |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 149.99 | USD 374.99 |
| Bays | 4 | 4 |
| Listed form factor | 3.5 in | 2.5 and 3.5 in |
Where each product wins
- Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 wins on entry cost. The $225 spread is the clearest reason to favor it when the enclosure budget is the main constraint.
- Synology DS423 wins on explicitly named hardware. Its Realtek RTD1619B quad-core processor, 2GB DDR4 RAM, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports give buyers a more detailed hardware brief to weigh. That is a specification difference, not a claim about performance.
Product notes
Netgear ReadyNAS 2100
The Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 gives shoppers two concrete planning details: PC and Mac compatibility and a listed 3.5-inch form factor. That pairing makes it a natural fit for a mixed-computer home NAS organized around that drive size. The limitation is explicit: NO HDDs, plus the power adapter is not included. Those omissions matter because the enclosure alone does not cover the drive or power portion of the setup. USB 3.0 is also named, adding a clear connectivity detail. Pick the Netgear when its format and connection details match the plan; the separate drive and adapter requirements should remain part of the setup calculation.
Synology DS423
The Synology DS423 suits shoppers who want a more fully specified enclosure. Its hardware details include a Realtek RTD1619B quad-core processor, 2GB DDR4 RAM, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports, giving a home NAS planner concrete components to weigh without implying a performance result. The limitation is the higher listed price, and the enclosure is diskless, so drives remain a separate part of the setup. The listed 2.5- and 3.5-inch form-factor range is another planning detail, not a performance ranking. Choose the DS423 when those named components and the two listed formats fit the intended build; the larger upfront outlay is the trade-off.
Final choice by use case
- For a mixed PC and Mac home NAS: Choose the Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 because PC and Mac are the listed compatibility targets.
- For a new enclosure: Choose the Synology DS423 because its condition is listed as New.
The decision is straightforward: Netgear keeps the initial enclosure cost lower but requires separate attention to the drive and power-adapter setup. Synology costs more and remains diskless, while offering a new enclosure with more specifically named hardware.
