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They can be shared on a network, but that requires a primary computer to be turned on.Ī NAS offers always-on expanded file storage that can serve multiple computers simultaneously without anyone of the limitations of a USB drive or the upfront cost of a dedicated file server. On top of that, are limited to USB transfer speeds and only serve one computer at a time. After all, a desktop has a limited number of storage bay slots, while a laptop practically has none aside from its primary drive.Īn external USB hard drive may solve data storage problems in a pinch, but they require a physical connection to the computer to be used. Increases storage spaceĪ small office user may eventually come to a point where their primary computer no longer offers enough storage space for their needs and upgrading the drive might not be worthwhile or even possible. But what makes a NAS distinct from a computer is a singular focus on data storage. They can be considered computers in themselves, complete with a processor, mainboard, memory, and I/O ports. This article was created in cooperation with Western Digital and QNAPĪt its core, a NAS is an enclosure for storage drives that provides a local network with access to those drives. Compared to other data storage solutions like dedicated file servers or external USB drives, NAS devices strike a good balance of all three qualities. Adding a NAS enclosure can pay long-term dividends in terms of cost, time savings, and feature set. And for a SOHO environment, network attached storage devices make a lot of sense. Whether you are working from home or opening up a small office, it is never too early to start thinking about data storage solutions.