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Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 4 review

£396.9 inc VAT

Manufacturer: Netgear

Our Rating: We rate this 4 out of 5

By | Macworld UK | 01 February 11

We review Netgear's versatile do-it-yourself network storage system - the Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 4.

We review Netgear's versatile do-it-yourself network storage system - the Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 4.

A versatile do-it-yourself network storage system

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Netgear’s Stora is a good option for home users who are buying a NAS drive for the first time, but for more experienced users the company also offers its ReadyNAS Ultra range.

There are several models in the range but we tested the Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 4, a RAID unit equipped with four separate drive bays. You can buy the Ultra 4 as an empty chassis for about £450, and then install your own choice of drives as required. Alternatively, you can buy it for about £700 with two 2TB drives already installed and the remaining two drive bays left free for future upgrades.

Installing drives into the Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 4 is a simple process, as the drive bays pop open with a press of a button. Netgear’s XRAID2 feature also allows you to hot swap drives at any time, automatically configuring the RAID options depending on the number of drives installed. Other hardware features include two Gigabit Ethernet ports and no less than three USB ports for connecting additional storage units, or devices such as a digital camera.

The ReadyNAS Ultra is a flexible and reliable storage system ideal for power users and home businesses

Setup is straightforward, with a Setup Wizard for newcomers or manual configuration for more experienced users. Some of the additional features built into the ReadyNAS are the ability to work with TiVo digital video recorders, and its support for DLNA networking. It can also act as an iTunes server, allowing you to use it as a central storage device for your iTunes music library on your home network.

NEXT: our expert verdict >>

See also:

Group test: what's the best NAS drive?

Group test: what's the best portable hard drive?

ReadyNAS Ultra 4 Expert Verdict »
Post Review
4-Bay Storage with RAID 0, 1, 5 data protection
1.66GHz Intel Atom single-core processor
1GB DDR2 SODIMM
2x Gigabit Ethernet ports
3x USB 2.0 ports
134x205x223mm
4.70kg
Power Consumption: 48W (with 4x 2TB)
120W server-rated AC power supply
Input: 100-240V AC, 50/60 Hz
Software-controlled 92 mm chassis cooling fan
High temperature email alert with auto-shutdown
  • Overall: We give this item 8 of 10 overall

If you just want a simple and affordable NAS drive for your home network then you might be better off with the less expensive Stora. However, the ability to configure the ReadyNAS Ultra 4 in any way you want makes it a good option for small businesses and more experienced home users who need a versatile and reliable storage system.

There are currently no price comparisons for this product.
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