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A NAS shares storage on your network; an external drive plugs into one computer.
Last updated: November 1, 2026.
External drive
Cheapest and simplest. See 4TB drives.
NAS
Network access and RAID. See NAS drives.
Which to choose
Start with external drives; move to NAS when you share files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need RAID?
RAID is not a backup.
Cost?
NAS costs more.
Access?
NAS is shared.
Bottom Line
External for one computer, NAS for sharing.
