Unraid - NAS software - cheapest custom NAS I can build for it ?

[River]

Any help appreciated. I do have old laptops already but was told those are not good for NAS so going to build a whole new custom NAS instead. Don't need much power. A little but not insane amount.

[Omega]

You just intend to stores files on it? An old laptop will do fine, I do this stuff on Raspbery Pi's, just install Linux and Nextcloud on the laptop.

[River]

Originally posted by Omega:

You just intend to stores files on it? An old laptop will do fine, I do this stuff on Raspbery Pi's, just install Linux and Nextcloud on the laptop.

No stream media from it to my phones, tablets, and TVs

[Omega]

Originally posted by gamer:

Originally posted by Omega:

You just intend to stores files on it? An old laptop will do fine, I do this stuff on Raspbery Pi's, just install Linux and Nextcloud on the laptop.

No stream media from it to my phones, tablets, and TVs

Laptop should do that just fine also. Take a look at Jellyfin they have a demo instance available on their website.

[River]

Originally posted by Omega:

Originally posted by gamer:

No stream media from it to my phones, tablets, and TVs

Laptop should do that just fine also. Take a look at Jellyfin they have a demo instance available on their website.

Ok thank you.

[Lord Flashheart]

Old laptop. Ubuntu Server as an OS.
Install what you need. The are countless youtube tutorials.
Mabye samba sile sharing or jellyfin.

[_I_]

or most routers can do that with a usb drive

[Lord Flashheart]

Originally posted by _I_:

or most routers can do that with a usb drive

The OP indicated they want to steam. I doubt routers have that ability also. Would be nice if they did.

[tyl0413]

It's really all about how much storage space you'll need. If you are cool with 4 drives total any cheap PC will do, if you want more you'll waste a load of money on a second hand rack server like myself, still much cheaper and more powerful than a Synology, more complicated tho.

[_I_]

you can stream individual files from the router to players

nas is not a streaming service