Synology has expanded its desktop NAS range in Australia with the new DiskStation neo+ Series, offering much of the hardware platform of its Plus models but with a lower-cost memory configuration out of the box. The new range comprises four models – the DS725neo+, DS925neo+, DS1525neo+ and DS1825neo+ – with Australian pricing starting at $894.

Rather than reinventing the DiskStation, Synology’s pitch with neo+ is relatively straightforward: lower the initial cost and let buyers upgrade when their needs, and budgets, demand it.

Same platform, different starting point

The DiskStation neo+ models are built on the same platform as Synology’s existing DS Plus Series, but ship with 4GB of non-ECC DDR4 SODIMM memory as standard.

That’s the key distinction. Synology says the change makes the new machines significantly more affordable upfront, while retaining support for existing ECC memory upgrades and capacities of up to 32GB.

It’s an interesting approach for home power users and small businesses in particular. Not everyone buying a NAS needs a large amount of ECC memory from day one, and shifting some of that cost from the initial purchase to a later upgrade gives buyers more control over where they spend their money.

Synology isn’t replacing its standard Plus range, either. The company says neo+ will sit alongside it, effectively giving buyers another configuration and price point to choose from.

“Desktop models remain at the heart of our NAS ecosystem,” said Bie-I Chu, Executive Vice President of the Synology NAS Group.

“As memory market dynamics shift, the neo+ Series reinforces our commitment to accessibility, giving customers the freedom to scale hardware according to their immediate budget and future growth.”

2.5GbE, M.2 and room to grow

The neo+ Series hasn’t been stripped back when it comes to the features that increasingly matter on a modern NAS.

All four models include 2.5GbE networking and built-in M.2 slots for SSD caching, while storage capacity can be expanded using Synology’s DX525 expansion unit.

The larger DS1525neo+ and DS1825neo+ also include PCIe 3.0 expansion slots, opening the door to optional 10GbE or even 25GbE network adapters.

That gives the range a potentially long useful life. A buyer can start with the base memory and networking configuration and progressively add RAM, storage and faster networking as workloads increase, rather than paying for everything upfront.

DSM remains the bigger part of the equation

Hardware specifications only tell part of the Synology story, and the neo+ Series runs the company’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system with its broader software ecosystem intact.

Synology Drive can turn a DiskStation into a private cloud for file access and synchronisation across devices, including site-to-site synchronisation for teams working across multiple locations.

The Active Backup Suite provides backup capabilities for Windows, Linux and macOS computers alongside virtual machines and cloud accounts, while Surveillance Station allows a DiskStation to double as an on-premises network video recorder for security cameras.

For prospective buyers, that’s arguably the more important aspect of the neo+ proposition. You’re getting another entry point into the existing Synology ecosystem rather than a cut-down software platform attached to cheaper hardware.

Australian pricing and availability

The Synology DiskStation neo+ Series is available now in Australia through Synology’s distribution channels.

Australian RRPs are:

  • DS725neo+ | $894
  • DS925neo+ | $983
  • DS1525neo+ | $1,430
  • DS1825neo+ | $1,788

The neo+ concept makes sense on paper. NAS purchases can get expensive quickly once drives, memory and networking upgrades enter the equation, so reducing the price of hardware buyers may not initially need is a practical way to lower the barrier to entry.

The more interesting question will be how the neo+ models stack up against their Plus counterparts once street pricing, memory upgrades and a full complement of drives are factored in.

And for the good news, Synology as of DSM 7.3 has walked back on the branded drive requirements and has expanded support for third party drives.

More information on the DiskStation neo+ Series is available from Synology.