Choosing NAS storage & drives means deciding between an enclosure-led setup and a storage-included unit for backup and sharing. The Synology DS423 and LinkStation 210 serve those different priorities, so the right choice depends on whether you want to select the drive arrangement yourself or start with a defined storage package.
Quick verdict
Pick the Synology DS423 when the enclosure itself is the priority and you want a four-bay, diskless design. Choose the LinkStation 210 when safe file backup and sharing matter more than selecting an empty enclosure. Both are black, new NAS options, but they are aimed at different starting points.
Comparison at a glance
| Product | Listed price | Connection and device fit |
|---|---|---|
| Synology DS423 | $374.99 | Ethernet interface; PC compatibility |
| LinkStation 210 | $268.99 | Router connection; desktop and laptop compatibility |
The absolute listed-price spread is $106, with the LinkStation 210 at the lower listed price.
Where each product wins
- Synology DS423 wins on enclosure choice. Its four-bay network attached storage enclosure format and diskless configuration suit shoppers who want to select the drive arrangement separately.
- LinkStation 210 wins on ready storage. The 2TB title phrase, included HDD, and explicit backup-and-sharing purpose make it the more direct match for a defined-capacity setup.
Product notes
Synology DS423
The Synology DS423 is worth choosing when the listed 2.5- and 3.5-inch form factor matches your drive plan. That gives the enclosure a clearly described physical fit, while its Ethernet interface supports the network-attached storage role. The main limitation is the diskless configuration: the enclosure does not itself provide storage capacity, so it is not the direct choice for someone who wants an included drive. Its four-bay design is the concrete reason to consider it for a NAS setup built around selecting NAS hard drives separately. If your priority is configuring the enclosure around your own drive plan rather than receiving storage with it, the DS423 is the closer match.
LinkStation 210
The LinkStation 210 makes sense when a defined storage amount and backup tools matter. Its title specifies 2TB, and the description gives it a clear backup-and-sharing role with scheduled backups, SSL encryption, individual access restrictions, and secure file sharing. The included HDD is a concrete reason to choose this configuration when you want storage supplied with the NAS. Its limitation is the format: shoppers specifically seeking the four-bay enclosure described by Synology DS423 should not treat the LinkStation 210 as a substitute. The compatibility details name desktop and laptop devices plus Windows, keeping the intended use centered on computer storage and backups.
Final choice by use case
- Choose Synology DS423 for a NAS purchase centered on an enclosure and a separately selected drive plan.
- Choose LinkStation 210 for a NAS purchase centered on safe file backup, sharing, and storage included with the unit.
- For a mixed home NAS need, decide whether your first priority is configuring the enclosure or having storage ready for network sharing. The first answer points to Synology; the second points to LinkStation.
