Synology DS1522+ Review: Top NAS Choice for 2023?

9/23/2023

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Bottom Line

Detailed Review

Pros & Cons

Customer Reviews

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Bottom Line

Looking for a reliable storage solution for your growing data needs? We've recently tried the Synology DS1522+, a 5-bay NAS that offers scalability and versatility for both personal and professional use.
Powered by Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), the DS1522+ provides an all-in-one solution for data sharing, synchronization, backup, and surveillance. With up to 736/796 MB/s sequential read/write throughput, file operations are not only quick but efficient as well!

A noteworthy feature is the NAS's expandability. If your storage requirements increase over time, you can easily add up to 10 extra drive bays with 2 DX517 expansion units, giving you a maximum of 15 storage drives. The DS1522+ also has four 1GbE ports for easy integration into your existing network environment. And with optional 10GbE connectivity, the device can handle bandwidth-heavy applications with ease.
However, keep in mind that this NAS is a SATA device only, and make sure to consult Synology's knowledge center or YouTube channel if you need help setting up the product or require additional information.

For a first-rate storage solution, the Synology DS1522+ DiskStation is an excellent choice. Its scalability, versatility, and powerful performance cater to a wide range of data management needs.

Detailed Review

In our experience with the DS1522+ DiskStation, we found it to be an incredibly versatile 5-bay NAS solution designed to adapt and scale according to requirements. The capability to support up to 15 drives together with NVMe SSD caching truly stands out. Furthermore, the device is powered by Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), making it an all-in-one solution for data sharing, synchronization, backup, and surveillance.

We appreciated the impressive sequential read/write throughput of up to 736/796 MB/s, which substantially improved file operations efficiency. Equipped with built-in file and photo management, data protection, virtualization, and surveillance solutions, DS1522+ is quite the comprehensive package.

Integrating this NAS system into our existing environment was seamless, courtesy of its four 1GbE ports, and with the option to add 10GbE connectivity, we didn’t have to worry about tackling specialized, high-bandwidth applications. Scalability was another plus, thanks to the ability to add up to 10 extra drive bays using two DX517 expansion units, optimizing storage capabilities to 15 drives in total.

Impressive Speed Performance
We couldn't help but notice the remarkable speed performance of the Synology DS1522+ DiskStation. The unit's USB 3.0 hard drive interface significantly contributes to its fast and efficient file transfers. This is particularly beneficial for users who deal with large amounts of data and require smooth, quick access to their files.

The DS1522+ consistently delivered high-speed performance, improving our overall satisfaction with the product. It's no wonder that this device ranks as the #1 Network Attached Storage (NAS) Enclosure on Amazon. With a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating based on 4,196 reviews, it's clear that other users share our appreciation for its impressive capabilities.

While using the DS1522+, we found that its 8GB DDR4 memory ensured seamless multitasking. In addition, the black diskless 5-bay design offers ample storage space, allowing users to efficiently manage their digital assets.

In summary, the Synology DS1522+ DiskStation stands out for its impressive speed performance, user-friendly design, and excellent reviews.

Innovative Data Protection and Management
Our experience using the Synology DS1522+ DiskStation has been impressive, especially when it comes to data protection and management. With up to 736/796 MB/s sequential read/write throughput, we found file operations to be quick and efficient. This 5-bay NAS solution is also scalable, allowing us to add up to 10 extra drive bays with 2 DX517 expansion units in case we need even more storage.

The built-in file and photo management solutions are reliable and come in handy for streamlining our data organization. Moreover, the DS1522+ offers robust data protection by leveraging Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), which allows for easy synchronization, backup, and surveillance.

As for connectivity, the four 1GbE ports made it simple for us to integrate the NAS into our existing environment, with an optional 10GbE connectivity available for handling more specialized, bandwidth-heavy applications. One thing to note is that this DiskStation is designed for SATA devices only. Overall, we believe the Synology DS1522+ is an excellent choice for anyone in need of innovative data protection and management features in a network-attached storage solution.

Effortless Expansion Potential
We found that the Synology DS1522+ DiskStation offers impressive expansion capabilities. This 5-bay device allows for up to 736/796 MB/s sequential read/write throughput, ensuring quick and efficient file operations. The four 1GbE ports provide simple integration into existing environments, with optional 10GbE connectivity for handling more specialized, bandwidth-heavy applications.

A standout feature is the ability to add up to 10 extra drive bays with two DX517 expansion units, reaching a maximum of 15 storage drives. The built-in file and photo management, data protection, virtualization, and surveillance solutions add to its attractiveness as a versatile NAS solution.

However, it's important to keep in mind that the DS1522+ is a SATA device only. Be sure to check Synology's knowledge center and YouTube channel for setup assistance and additional information. They offer a wealth of resources to ensure you get the most out of your DiskStation.

In summary, the Synology DS1522+ offers excellent expansion potential in an easy-to-use device, suitable for both home and business environments.

Pros & Cons

PROS

We found the DS1522+ DiskStation to be user-friendly, with an easy-to-navigate interface, making it ideal for users who value simplicity. The performance is impressive, with up to 736/796 MB/s sequential read/write throughput, allowing for quick and efficient file operations. The device offers robust data protection features, including built-in file and photo management.

The DiskStation comes with four 1GbE ports, providing seamless integration into existing environments, and optional 10GbE connectivity for tackling more specialized, bandwidth-heavy applications. Additionally, you can expand up to 15 storage drives by adding two DX517 expansion units, making this product highly scalable.

Furthermore, the Synology Knowledge Center and YouTube channel offer helpful resources for product setup and additional information. The DiskStation supports SATA devices, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of storage options.

CONS

While the DiskStation DS1522+ offers many benefits, we did encounter some limitations. Some users reported setup inconsistencies, although these issues were resolved with proper troubleshooting. Additionally, the expansion capacity requires the purchase of separate expansion units, which could be a drawback for some users.

The device comes with an EU plug, which caused inconvenience for users in regions with different plug standards, such as the UK, although the issue can be resolved with an adapter. Some might consider the DS1522+ DiskStation expensive, but in our experience, the features and performance justify the cost.

In summary, the Synology 5-bay DiskStation DS1522+ is a powerful and versatile storage solution with a user-friendly interface and strong performance. The minor drawbacks encountered can be resolved, and overall, we are confident in the capabilities of DS1522+ and can recommend it to those in need of a robust NAS system.

Customer Reviews

Based on users' feedback, the Synology DS1522+ DiskStation is often compared to Apple in terms of quality within the NAS market. The positives include its user-friendly interface and robust safety features. However, few of them mentioned that they had some initial setup issues.

People praised the easy installation process and the fact that no tools were needed. The operating system and apps appear to be solid, and the NAS performs well in RAID1 with two drives optimized for NAS use.

Many customers were relieved to have found Synology after experiencing problems with other brands, such as data loss or unreliable products. In particular, those with a large volume of media to access, share, and backup find the DS1522+ to be a game-changer.

Some users decided to return the product and go for the cheaper DS923+ model but were satisfied with Amazon's quick return and refund process.

Overall, the Synology DS1522+ DiskStation seems to provide strong performance, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

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