NAS advice please

[hardflipman]

hi, i'm wanting to get some kind of network attached storage device to facilitate sharing of data between a few PCs.

i was looking at the netgear one. but i just saw this one and the cheapness of it seemed quite good. anyone have any experience? i guess one of the bonuses of the netgear is that it can take 2 drives so it can mirror the data. i have heard negative things about heat issues with the netgear but i guess with slower speed drives it shouldn't really be an issue

any other options?

[Funkstar]

stay away from the netgear. It isn't a real NAS device, you need to install client software on a PC to be able to access it.

I've not used them, but the Buffalo Linkstations get a good rep same with the Maxtor ones. The Linkstation can also be hacked to put a fuller linux distro on it.

[arthurleung]

Or the NAS box in Scan's Today Only

[Funkstar]

very confusing that one, but the N2050 isn't actually a NAS box. It is RAID-0 or RAID-1 that can connect over USB or eSATA

the N4100 is a four drive NAS box however. Scans today only description could be a little clearer on this if you ask me.

[hardflipman]

having the software on the client machines isn't an issue. i quite liked the fact the unit mirrors the drive but then the buffalo one will backup to another usb drive.
cost is an issue as well and the ones on scan's todayonly are too expensive i'd say