Hey everyone. I really want to replace Google photos with some sort of self-hosted solution. However, I am getting overwhelmed.

The first thing that came up when I did a little bit of research is buying a NAS. However, I just noticed these devices are so expensive with really weak specs. Feel like I am getting ripped off. Also, I heard that it can be slow? Is that true?

Anyway, I was told it is better to just buy a Resperry pi. However, these things are expensive for the specs. Would a used Intel NUC be better? Can you use any mini pc for that?

I have seen some crazy powerful (compared to the pi) cheap used Ryzen mini PCs, can those be turned into servers?

  • Dr. Jenkem@lemmy.blugatch.tubeEnglish
    3·
    2 years ago

    Yeah I’m not a big fan of NAS’s. I agree they’re a bit of a ripoff, you’re paying for convenience. The only reason to go with a NAS imo is if you’re unable and unwilling to learn to use linux. Raspi4 are pretty cheap, 4gb model is like $55 iirc. If you’re paying more you’re probably getting ripped off. It’s definitely going to be lower power usage than a NUC or mini PC. But maybe you can find a cheap used one.

    But since you’re only hosting photos, pretty much anything should work.

    • echoEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      isn’t the whole point of a NAS to have multiple 3.5" drives?

      • Dr. Jenkem@lemmy.blugatch.tubeEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        The point of a NAS is to have the PC built for you and the OS/software pre-configured. That’s at least what you’re paying extra for. I would always rather build the PC myself and setup the software myself; if I know I’ll need raid I’ll get a raid controller. If I know I’ll need lots of drives, I’ll get a mobo and case that accommodates that, etc.

        • echoEnglish
          1·
          2 years ago

          I wasn’t just talking about rebuilt NAS, but just in general the whole point of a file server is to have a bunch of storage connected to your network. So something like a mini PC or RPi doesn’t seem like it really fills the same niche since you can’t easily connect 3.5" drives to them.

    • jmp242English
      1·
      2 years ago

      I mean, it really depends - NAS provide multiple drive bays (though the ones worth having should have 8-20), probably with hot swap, indicators which disk is dead, built in RAID of some sort for those disks, and usually a nice webUI - some also provide the photo hosting.

      I wouldn’t really try and hang a bunch of disks off a raspi unless you can put it in an area where NO ONE and NO PET but you will ever have access / see it. The chances of physical disaster is pretty high IMO.

      • Dr. Jenkem@lemmy.blugatch.tubeEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        I mean no doubt raspi is pretty far off from a NAS. But I’d always prefer to either build my own server or buy a prebought one over a NAS. There’s nothing a NAS does that I couldn’t do with my own build for less money.