SOHO NAS

Take a look at synology. They are not that expensive and very reliable and fast.

Synology are great, but a QNAP T210 will be cheaper and they are pretty robust also.

thats how it looks to me....

Using Thecus myself (N7700), quite happy with it.
http://www.thecus.com/product_catalog.php?PROD_TYPE_ID=12

We use both, Synology for the faster data transfers, QNAP for Storage and media server.  Never had any problems with QNAP.

The latest line of Netgear home routers (like the WNDR3700) come with a USB port for a very inexpensive network storage solution if that fits your requirements.

Probably worth noting that the specific Drobo unit you linked is not a NAS but only a disk array and does not connect directly to a network but rather via USB or firewire to a computer.  The Drobo FS models are NAS,  and are significantly more expensive,  and not all that fast for the price.

I normally recommend Qnap or Synology as they have a very good feature set and performance when compared to many more known name brand devices.  Both companies only make NAS products and are on 3rd and 4th generation of OS/GUI interface.

For a number of reviews and comparisons check out the nas charts at smallnetbuilder,

 http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-charts/view

In any case the better processor and memory translates to better performance.  The TS-219P II is a very close hardware match to the Synology DS212+ which is priced around $80 more.  Though my understanding is the Synology is slightly better performing and a bit quieter.  The 219 II looks like decent value/performance.

If performance is not top of the list lesser models are good just be sure to check the hard drive support if you plan to use 2 or 3 TB drives.  I think all the models from both outfits that are sold new do support them   Something like the Synology DS212J which is around $225 range and still not too bad on performance.

http://www.ebuyer.com/288176-synology-ds212j-2-bay-nas-enclosure-ds212j

I also recommend reading the manual before you buy to be certain the features you are looking are there and work as you expect.

http://www.dabs.com/products/netgear-readynas-nv--4-bay-gigabit-desktop-network-storage-nas-4PG4.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product+search&utm_content=Q200 ???

That doesn't look to bad!  Decent price too.

i assume its a simliar spec device to the one midway down  http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-charts/view

not good reviews...

prob this
http://www.synology.com/us/products/DS411slim/index.php

Yea the one in the chart is the 'Ultra' model the unit in the store you linked was the economy model which has quite a bit less horsepower.  That particular one is also the outdated model,  the newer V2 model is a bit better.

I think you are probably better off with 4 drive unit over 2 drives,  though going to 2.5" drives does limit the total capacity and likely increases the cost of the drives a bit.  I would suggest using 7200 rpm and not 5400 rpm drives as well.

It is using a similar hardware configuration as the DS212 or DS211 with 256 MB ram and the 1.6 GHz Marvell processor.  Not top end but a decent performer and I think is the newest design of the Synology home line.

ok, or http://www.synology.com/products/product.php?product_name=DS411j&lang=us

going for the 411j or the 411slim.  i have 2x 250gb caviar se disks -  not on the HCL.

however does anyone know if they will work?

cool.  but not much else compares for c£250??

The Qnap ts-412 is similar,  same processor with more memory and has hot swap bays.  I believe it is a similar price point.

The TS-412 is on the nas chart and here's a good look at it,

http://www.techspot.com/review/400-qnap-ts-412-turbo-nas/