Hi r/datahoarders,
I’m looking to set up a local NAS for my Time Machine backups so I can stop physically connecting an external drive to my laptop. My needs are relatively simple: I’d like a small, reliable NAS that can handle this task without overkill features I might not use.
I’m aware of popular options like Synology, but I’m curious if there are better (or cheaper) DIY alternatives for my use case. I’ve looked into solutions like TrueNAS and Unraid but am uncertain about what hardware would make the most sense for a compact, straightforward setup.
A few preferences:
It should be small and not too power-hungry.
I’d like something that’s easy to maintain (not too much tinkering required).
Ideally, it would have a web interface for managing backups.
I’m open to off-the-shelf options like Synology but want to explore all possibilities before committing. If you have recommendations, setups you’ve used, or tips on getting started, I’d love to hear them!
Thanks in advance for the help!