The Synology DiskStation DS223j is the firm’s respond for an realistic two-bay NAS in 2023. This enclosure replaces the DiskStation DS220j, which became a favourite of these searching for out their very first NAS hold or wanting somewhere to stash some recordsdata and safely retailer backups. Android Police has spent per week with this enclosure, attempting out out the CPU upgrades and seeing the very best contrivance it compares in opposition to its predecessor. Could perhaps this be the new easiest NAS for these on tighter budgets?
Supply: Synology
Synology DiskStation DS223j
Synology’s most modern realistic two-bay NAS
We had been sizable fans of the DiskStation DS220j and the successor promises greater performance with a extra contemporary ARM processor. All the pieces else remains the identical, which is each a blessing and a curse.
- Trace
- Synology
- CPU
- Realtek RTD1619B
- Memory
- 1 GB DDR4
- Drive Bays
- 2
- Ports
- 1x 1 GbE, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
- OS
- DSM
- Mark
- $190
- Dimensions
- 165 x 100 x 225.5 mm
- Weight
- 0.88 kg
Pros
- Cheap two-bay NAS
- Mammoth for storing details and collaboration
- Gather admission to to Synology’s DSM OS
- Compact dimensions and light
Cons
- Restricted blueprint sources
- No enlargement strengthen
- Single 1GbE LAN port
Mark and availability
The Synology DiskStation DS2203j launched in 2023 for $190. That is the identical sign because the Synology DiskStation DS220j even with a extra contemporary Realtek ARM CPU. Worship any different enclosures, right here’s a diskless NAS and storage drives will must accumulated be factored in for sign and received individually. The DS223j comes with 1GB of DDR4 RAM and obtain admission to to the firm’s DiskStation Supervisor (DSM) NAS working blueprint.
Construct and hardware
The invent of the Synology DiskStation DS223j follows the identical language because the DS220j and different realistic branded enclosures. As a alternative of an all-sunless steel and plastic shell, the DS223j retains things easy (and low sign) with an all-plastic white casing. There don’t appear to be any removable force trays, as the entirety is handled by opening up the NAS. Synology doesn’t even stable the two substances of the chassis collectively in shipping, so it be less complicated to drag it apart and install some drives.
Talking of which, the approach of placing in drives will require a screwdriver since four screws shall be required per 3.5-poke force. These are supplied alongside the DS223j, on the opposite hand. Merely line up the force with the sled and SATA ports and slowly slump it backward unless it clicks into the SATA port. Then install the four screws and reach the identical for a 2d force, if but every other is being installed. Then, you reattach the outer shell to the necessary chassis and stable it the utilize of two supplied screws.
Up front are about a discipline LED indicators and a single energy button. The perimeters own Synology branding that doubles up as air float for the single 92mm fan on the rear of the enclosure. The attend of the DS223j properties the single 1GbE RJ45 connection, DC enter from the initiate air energy provide, and two USB-A ports. All in the course of the Synology DiskStation DS223j is a Realtek RTD1619B, which has four bodily cores and is capable of bursting up to 1.7GHz. That is joined by 1GB of DDR4 RAM, which is ample for working DSM.
Instrument and suggestions
Synology NAS are powered by the firm’s DiskStation Supervisor (DSM) working blueprint, which is downloaded and installed when first booting up the NAS. Once the DS223j has been grew to alter into on, connecting to the NAS with a browser will will will let you install the OS and configure the NAS with a well-known person fable, contrivance up how the force(s) shall be ancient, and possess a Synology fable for extra handy distant obtain admission to when remote from the LAN. After that, all it takes is to load the IP, log within the utilize of the created fable credentials, and besides you are true to perambulate!
Synology’s Equipment Middle acts adore an app retailer with varied apps on hand for set up. Adding a equipment is as easy as clicking install and keen for the magic to happen. For storing recordsdata and connecting to varied devices, including PCs working Linux, macOS, and Dwelling windows, no additional tool is required. A alternative of protocols are supported by DSM by default and is liable to be enabled within Control Panel. It is a person-friendly OS interface that takes about a moments to acquire ancient to, making the DS223j a vast NAS for newcomers.
Competition
TerraMaster F2-223
Synology faces stiff competitors from the likes of TerraMaster, specifically within the extra realistic phase of the NAS market. The TerraMaster F2-212 has the identical Realtek RTD1619B processor, 1GB of RAM, and the identical configuration of ports on the rear. What the F2-212 does own that the DS223j doesn’t are force bays adore a frail enclosure. This means you wouldn’t must pull apart the TerraMaster NAS for any reason since the RAM is now no longer upgradable.
The TerraMaster F2-212 is priced at $170, a beefy $20 nick worth when put next to the DS223j. TerraMaster’s working blueprint is now no longer as polished as DSM and the firm doesn’t provide as many cloud products and companies, but whenever you happen to are now no longer planning to exploit them then this extra financial savings would be worth it.
Whereas you hold it?
Whether or now no longer you would possibly want to accumulated hold the Synology DiskStation DS223j is dependent on what you imply on doing with the NAS. If all you require is somewhere to retailer some details that is now no longer going to take extra than 20TB or so of home, the DiskStation DS223j is a gigantic budget-friendly enclosure. It is easiest suited to file storage and collaboration between devices and places. The DSM working blueprint runs smartly on the Realtek ARM CPU, and it provides a small uplift when put next to the outgoing NAS.
The put things drop short with this NAS are the restricted storage ability, lack of any enlargement alternate suggestions, and the single 1GbE connection. That is true adequate for home and contrivance of job utilize, but we would counsel but every other enclosure for media streaming and extra intensive tasks. One of the best phase about the DS223j is the functionality financial savings over longer sessions of time when put next to cloud storage subscription products and companies. Factoring within the worth of a NAS force (or two), you are searching now no longer now no longer up to $300 for a really assembled DS223j.
This would pay for itself when put next to cloud subscriptions in about a years, all whereas providing extra ability from the obtain-perambulate. Synology did many things true with the DS220j, and it be true to examine now no longer much has changed with the DS223j’s successor. For lighter tasks and utilization, right here’s one in every of the very best NAS enclosures within the market.
Supply: Synology
Synology DiskStation DS223j
Synology’s DiskStation DS223j is the choice for the everyday and smartly-bought DS220j, an realistic two-bay enclosure with obtain admission to to the firm’s very ideally suited DiskStation Supervisor (DSM) OS. Rocking a brand new ARM processor and extra RAM, it be a trusty alternative for fogeys that simply desire to retailer recordsdata and backups.
- Trace
- Synology
- CPU
- Realtek RTD1619B
- Memory
- 1 GB DDR4
- Drive Bays
- 2
- Ports
- 1x 1 GbE, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
- OS
- DSM
- Mark
- $190
- Dimensions
- 165 x 100 x 225.5 mm
- Weight
- 0.88 kg
