Buffalo LS520 2TB review

Considering it includes two 1TB drives, the price may be initially attractive, but there are better options

IT Pro Verdict

As a cheap, all-in-one solution the Buffalo may look tempting, but we'd advise plumping for the superior WD My Cloud Mirror 2. There isn't a 2GB version, only 4GB, but even at £260 inc VAT it's well worth the extra cash.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Cheap; Good backup support;

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Setup tools and firmware are clunky and dated; Extremely disappointing performance;

Stuart Andrews's avatar
By
Published In Reviews

Buffalo supplies its compact two-bay consumer NAS populated, with a choice of dual 1TB, 2TB, 3TB and 4TB drives. Despite this, it's kept the price surprisingly low, meaning you can grab the 2TB version for the same price as some unpopulated two-bay rivals.

If you want to buy the entry-level version now and upgrade later, it's no problem - open the front-facing door and the two WD Green hard disks emerge neatly in their slide-out bays.

It's a shame that the software setup process isn't so easy, requiring you to visit Buffalo's website, download its NAS Navigator software, install it and then find your NAS before you can even get going.

If the tool seems dated, the firmware isn't much better, seemingly designed to resemble an old Linux desktop interface - complete with dry control panels that make everything from configuring DLNA media access to providing remote web access slightly awkward. The LS520 can handle all your backup, file-sharing and media vault duties, but other NAS devices make it easier.

Latest Videos FromIT Pro

In some respects, the features are fairly basic. There are file-management apps for iOS and Android, but nothing to match the Dropbox or OneDrive-like features of other NAS drives. At least safeguarding your files isn't a challenge, with NovaBackup bundled for PCs and full support for Time Machine. The remote-access features don't do anything more than provide access to the same desktop interface, and, as a DLNA server, the LS520 isn't exactly the snappiest around.

In fact, performance is the LS520's biggest issue. The combination of a 1.1GHz Realtek ARM Cortex A9 processor with just 256MB of RAM didn't make for stellar speeds - the LS520 could only manage read/write rates of 101MB/sec and 89MB/sec respectively with the larger video files, and a woeful 24.9MB/sec and 23.3MB/sec when churning through our smaller files - a sure sign that the CPU and RAM are struggling to keep up.

As a cheap, all-in-one solution the Buffalo may look tempting, but we'd advise plumping for the superior WD My Cloud Mirror 2. There isn't a 2GB version, only 4GB, but even at 260 inc VAT it's well worth the extra cash.

This review originally appeared in PC Pro issue 261.

Verdict

As a cheap, all-in-one solution the Buffalo may look tempting, but we'd advise plumping for the superior WD My Cloud Mirror 2. There isn't a 2GB version, only 4GB, but even at £260 inc VAT it's well worth the extra cash.

Stuart Andrews
Stuart Andrews

Stuart has been writing about technology for over 25 years, focusing on PC hardware, enterprise technology, education tech, cloud services and video games. Along the way he’s worked extensively with Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and Chrome OS devices, and tested everything from laptops to laser printers, graphics cards to gaming headsets.

He’s then written about all this stuff – and more – for outlets, including PC Pro, IT Pro, Expert Reviews and The Sunday Times. He’s also written and edited books on Windows, video games and Scratch programming for younger coders. When he’s not fiddling with tech or playing games, you’ll find him working in the garden, walking, reading or watching films.

You can follow Stuart on Twitter at @SATAndrews. 

Latest News