Specifications

The Synology DS414slim uses the same CPU as the DS214se we already reviewed, a Marvell Armada 370 CPU. An ARM V7-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) with a Floating Point Unit (FPU), it operates at up to 1.2 GHz (3000 DMIPS) and has 256K L2 cache and multiple I/O peripherals. This SoC features two Ethernet controllers, and the unit utilizes both. However, it doesn't support the newer USB 3.0 protocol, so Synology used a separate controller to offer USB 3.0 compatibility. The Armada CPU is supported by 512 GB of DDR3 RAM, and while 512 MB will most likely suffice, we would still feel more comfortable with 1 GB instead.

The DS414slim can take up to four 2.5" disks, and you would have a total of 6 TB if you were to install the currently largest ones with 1.5 TB capacity each, which is not bad for a NAS of such small dimensions. The two Ethernet ports also support the Link Aggregation protocol, so you can either increase network transfer speeds or provide a failsafe should one of the two transfer lines fail.

The small NAS's I/O consists of a couple of USB 3.0 ports and the aforementioned Ethernet ports. Synology didn't bundle an eSata port because of space limitations, and we think that the fast USB ports will fully cover all user needs. A USB port has also been installed into the front, which enhances usability greatly.

The dimensions of this unit are very compact, so you can place it nearly everywhere, even into a small office. Moreover, its weight was kept low, and the same applies to its energy needs since Synology says it to only consumes 15 W. A small 60mm fan that is easily removable should something go wrong or if you want to use a quieter solution moves hot air out of the chassis. The warranty is two years long, and Synology's price looks decent if we take into account this unit's feature set.