LaCie 2big 6TB NAS review

LaCie has incorporated a 2GHz ARM processor and 256MB of RAM into this NAS to help cater to the needs of SMBs. But is this smart-looking device worth more than £400?

LaCie has backed up the 2big's solid performance with software which shouldn't confuse even the most inexperienced of NAS users. The software is called NAS OS2, and its simple front-end accessed through the browser is largely based around widgets.

Half a dozen widgets can be scattered along two sides of the browser window at any one time, with most of the more common options available by default. The networking widget configures IP addresses, proxies and network access, there's a drive information module which provides capacity readings, and the general options widget has uptime figures and information about running services.

LaCie 2big Nas 6TB - Widgets

LaCie 2big Nas 6TB - Widgets

Other widgets include tools for backing up information to external drives and locations and a RAID management utility which allows for switching between RAID 0 and 1. An environmental management service allows the glowing blue orb to be turned off and the device to descend into sleep mode after a set amount of time has passed.

The location of these widgets can be customised on-screen and, if they're selected, the full range of relevant options is loaded into a main area in the centre of the screen. LaCie also provides a desktop application, but it's very simple, allowing the device to be recognised by your PC and mounted as a network drive, but with few advanced options.

Mike Jennings

 

Mike Jennings has worked as a technology journalist for more than a decade and has been fascinated by computers since childhood, when he spent far too long building terrible websites. He loves desktop PCs, components, laptops and anything to do with the latest hardware.

Mike worked as a staff writer at PC Pro magazine in London for seven years, and during that time wrote for a variety of other tech titles, including Custom PC, Micro Mart and Computer Shopper. Since 2013, he’s been a freelance tech writer, and writes regularly for titles like Wired, TechRadar, Stuff, TechSpot, IT Pro, TrustedReviews and TechAdvisor. He still loves tech and covers everything from the latest business hardware and software to high-end gaming gear, and you’ll find him on plenty of sites writing reviews, features and guides on a vast range of topics.

You can email Mike at mike@mike-jennings.net, or find him on Twitter at @mikejjennings