This collaborative space allows users to contribute additional information, tips, and insights to enhance the original deal post. Feel free to share your knowledge and help fellow shoppers make informed decisions.
I've bought 2 terramasters, a 4 bay in 2020 and a 6 bay in 2024 (ended up returning for a 6 bay QNAP). The 4 bay is still working, but buggy.
Terramaster is the price leader in consumer NAS. I've owned netgear, Synology, and now QNAP. I would say all have been more reliable, and better app support than Terramaster. So you get what you pay for.
I put FreeNAS on mine (I think renamed TrueNAS now). It worked until it died about 2 years in and I bought my Synology five years ago, which has received regular and safe updates.
Terramaster customers (on TOS) have had repeated issues with ransomware/malware.
Yes. TrueNAS scale works great. Your biggest issue with Terramaster (at least the F4-423) is the "boot OS from USB port" limitation. You'll have to either
1) use a large capacity low-profile USB and hope it is durable enough to survive all the log writes
2) like me connect USB to an external nvme (they're smaller than SSD). Its not the speed, its the number of writes
3) live with the beeps and have a keyboard every time it reboots (if it's easily accessible, mine is tucked away and I never want to physically interact with it)
4) use one of the 2 internal m.2 slots for the boot Os. (I didn't go this route, but may be easier for your use case)
My primary NAS is an old QNAP since I'm new to TrueNAS Scale. I setup rsync over ssh between the two. (Wireguard tunnel since it's going to different locations).
There's also a firmware on their website that allows you to select an alternative boot drive. I just pulled their USB stick, flashed the firmware, and have it booting off NVMe.
I had to use a keyboard to get it to boot from the right device prior to the firmware flash, but at this point it's been good for about a year, I think.
Last edited by slippydealer March 20, 2025 at 09:43 PM.
I run TOS 6.0 for my Plex Server on the F4-423 and have no issues. Primary use is Plex but also use it for Time Machine backups and file storage. No issues. For a basic/casual user there is no need to change the firmware/OS.
I've bought 2 terramasters, a 4 bay in 2020 and a 6 bay in 2024 (ended up returning for a 6 bay QNAP). The 4 bay is still working, but buggy. Terramaster is the price leader in consumer NAS. I've owned netgear, Synology, and now QNAP. I would say all have been more reliable, and better app support than Terramaster. So you get what you pay for.
Go get a Ugreen NAS, which has probably the best hardware.
What about Ugreen software? That seems to be the problem with TerraMaster. Hardware is fine.
I have the 4800+ and you can run pretty much anything in docker so I don't think the OS not being as polished is a big deal. Also unlike synology you can run any OS you want.
I put FreeNAS on mine (I think renamed TrueNAS now). It worked until it died about 2 years in and I bought my Synology five years ago, which has received regular and safe updates.
I hope you're not blaming anything on TrueNAS, if anything, TrueNAS is the Ferrari, but can only do what the underlying hardware allows for.
I highly, highly recommend Synology or rolling your own TrueNAS server. There are formfactors which are very much like these NAS boxes, look for motherboards with the Intel NXxx CPU, such as N100/N150/N305/N355 (likely, soon there will be even newer ones).
I've got a Ugreen DXP6800 Pro that I picked up when they first launched on Kickstarter. I didn't even boot into the Ugreen OS, I pulled the drive and run Unraid on it. No issues. There's even a plug in to work the LED lights on the front panel. So far I've been happy with the experience.
I hope you're not blaming anything on TrueNAS, if anything, TrueNAS is the Ferrari, but can only do what the underlying hardware allows for.
I highly, highly recommend Synology or rolling your own TrueNAS server. There are formfactors which are very much like these NAS boxes, look for motherboards with the Intel NXxx CPU, such as N100/N150/N305/N355 (likely, soon there will be even newer ones).
I have nothing bad to say about TrueNAS. The TerraMaster hardware died.
My HTPC is 6 years old and gets noisy at times. I'm debating rebuilding with an AIO and either NAS or DAS. I suppose that the DAS is an NAS since my other PCs access it through the HTPC and my NVDIA Shield TV Pro accesses it through the Plex App. When I see $800 for a Core i3 I'm thinking DAS connected to the network through a built HTPC is best. Lian-Dan makes a nice small form factor case (11L) that can house a 240mm AIO and a full size video card. It is painful to build in, but once one is done it is powerful and compact.
Currently I have 3 8TB HD 1 4TB HD and an SSD for the OS and a few programs. I could switch to a M.2 for the OS and set up my storage in a RAID10. I need 1 more 8TB drive to do a RAID10 and have 16TB of storage.
Good deals. Worth considering if you fall into one of these categories:
1) Your needs are very basic (e.g. you only need RAID storage, no apps, etc)
2) You like hacking things and tinkering
I fall into #2. I had a Terramaster F4-220 for about 6 years. The hardware was good and cheap. I had it running baremetal Xpenology for a few years. Then I installed Proxmox and ran a ARC[github.com] as well as a bunch of small VMs.
It was all fairly reliable and a lot of fun.
But if you're not looking for an ongoing project, then do yourself a favor and buy a Synology. It's a bit more expensive but it's a more polished and complete experience.
2
Like
Helpful
Funny
Not helpful
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Top Comments
Terramaster is the price leader in consumer NAS. I've owned netgear, Synology, and now QNAP. I would say all have been more reliable, and better app support than Terramaster. So you get what you pay for.
You could also get one of the others for storage, and then a ~$125 Intel N100 mini PC to run Plex and any other services.
I put FreeNAS on mine (I think renamed TrueNAS now). It worked until it died about 2 years in and I bought my Synology five years ago, which has received regular and safe updates.
Terramaster customers (on TOS) have had repeated issues with ransomware/malware.
Nevertheless, their cost reflects their qualify.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!
86 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
1) use a large capacity low-profile USB and hope it is durable enough to survive all the log writes
2) like me connect USB to an external nvme (they're smaller than SSD). Its not the speed, its the number of writes
3) live with the beeps and have a keyboard every time it reboots (if it's easily accessible, mine is tucked away and I never want to physically interact with it)
4) use one of the 2 internal m.2 slots for the boot Os. (I didn't go this route, but may be easier for your use case)
My primary NAS is an old QNAP since I'm new to TrueNAS Scale. I setup rsync over ssh between the two. (Wireguard tunnel since it's going to different locations).
I had to use a keyboard to get it to boot from the right device prior to the firmware flash, but at this point it's been good for about a year, I think.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I want to run Jellyfish or Plex and store my ripped 4K Blu rays on there.
I put FreeNAS on mine (I think renamed TrueNAS now). It worked until it died about 2 years in and I bought my Synology five years ago, which has received regular and safe updates.
I highly, highly recommend Synology or rolling your own TrueNAS server. There are formfactors which are very much like these NAS boxes, look for motherboards with the Intel NXxx CPU, such as N100/N150/N305/N355 (likely, soon there will be even newer ones).
I highly, highly recommend Synology or rolling your own TrueNAS server. There are formfactors which are very much like these NAS boxes, look for motherboards with the Intel NXxx CPU, such as N100/N150/N305/N355 (likely, soon there will be even newer ones).
I have nothing bad to say about TrueNAS. The TerraMaster hardware died.
Currently I have 3 8TB HD 1 4TB HD and an SSD for the OS and a few programs. I could switch to a M.2 for the OS and set up my storage in a RAID10. I need 1 more 8TB drive to do a RAID10 and have 16TB of storage.
1) Your needs are very basic (e.g. you only need RAID storage, no apps, etc)
2) You like hacking things and tinkering
I fall into #2. I had a Terramaster F4-220 for about 6 years. The hardware was good and cheap. I had it running baremetal Xpenology for a few years. Then I installed Proxmox and ran a ARC [github.com] as well as a bunch of small VMs.
It was all fairly reliable and a lot of fun.
But if you're not looking for an ongoing project, then do yourself a favor and buy a Synology. It's a bit more expensive but it's a more polished and complete experience.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!