Choosing NAS storage & drives means deciding between a rack-oriented platform you shape around your own drive plan and a network storage unit with a named capacity and broad computer fit. The QNAP TS-809U and LaCie 2big NAS serve those different priorities. The lower price does not erase the configuration gap, so decide whether format and drive planning or stated capacity and connectivity matter more.
Quick verdict
At a $29.25 price spread, QNAP is the lower-priced route, while LaCie is the more capacity-defined route. Choose QNAP if you want a rack-oriented platform to plan around; choose LaCie if its stated capacity and computer fit align with your files and media workflow. These NAS servers are not interchangeable in emphasis, so configuration should matter more than the relatively small price difference.
Compact comparison
| Product | Listed price | Configuration focus | Useful fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| QNAP TS-809U | USD 270.75 | 8-bay 2U rackmount; no HDDs or caddies | HDD support; Remote Access |
| LaCie 2big NAS | USD 300.00 | 4TB NAS; two bays | Mac, PC; Ethernet; USB 3.0 |
Where each product wins
QNAP wins when drive planning and rack placement are priorities. Its eight-bay, 2U rackmount format is the clearest reason to choose it, especially for a buyer who wants a larger multi-drive platform rather than a smaller bay layout.
LaCie wins when capacity and cross-platform use matter most. The 4TB figure and Mac/PC compatibility create a more defined brief for file and media storage. Ethernet and USB 3.0 are also named connectivity points, giving the LaCie a different practical emphasis from the QNAP.
Product notes
QNAP TS-809U Rackmount NAS
The QNAP TS-809U is a sensible choice for a shopper who specifically wants the Remote Access feature named for the server and a rack-oriented storage platform. That combination gives the purchase a clear role in a planned NAS setup. Its main limitation is the configuration stated in the title: No HDDs No Caddies. In other words, the server is not presented as a drive-included package, so the storage plan remains a separate part of the decision. The condition is Used (Grade B), which further defines it as a pre-owned configuration. The 1 GB cache is a neutral specification rather than proof of faster performance. Pick QNAP for its format and configuration control, not for an assumed performance advantage from that number.
LaCie 2big NAS Server
LaCie 2big NAS Server is the more direct match when USB 3.0 connectivity is useful for the intended file and media workflow. Its description also positions the server for individuals or small businesses using PC and Mac computers, giving it a concrete cross-platform role. The limitation is the stated two-bay design: that is a different physical approach from QNAP's rackmount server and does not address a rack-format requirement. The Used condition is another concrete part of the purchase context. Ethernet is identified as the interface, while the title also calls out USB 3.0, so both connection details belong in the comparison without turning either into a performance promise. Choose LaCie when straightforward connectivity matters more than rack-oriented planning.
Final choice by use case
Choose the QNAP TS-809U when your use case begins with rack-focused storage planning and you are comfortable treating the server as a platform for a separate drive decision. Choose the LaCie 2big NAS when your priority is a capacity-defined files-and-media workflow across the computer platforms named for it. If the physical NAS format is the deciding factor, QNAP is the clearer match. If a defined storage setup and straightforward connectivity are more important, LaCie is the better fit. The price gap is close enough that the configuration, rather than cost alone, should make the final call.
