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Under $400, multi-bay desktop drives force a choice between massive raw capacity and active cooling profiles suited for always-on servers. These three options span that exact gap for Windows environments.
Picked by QuickPick's AI from current retailer listings · Last reviewed
It provides the multi-bay RAID capability you requested for a Raspberry Pi server, though it is a desktop 3.5-inch drive with a power adapter rather than a portable USB-powered drive.
| Attribute | Western Digital My Book Duo 16TB | Terramaster D2-320 | LaCie 2big Raid 8TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price in USD | 380 | 170 | 350 |
| User Rating out of 5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 |
| Included Storage Capacity in TB | 16 | 0 (Enclosure only) | 8 |
| Hard Drive Inclusion | Includes pre-installed drives | Enclosure only (drives sold separately) | Includes enterprise-class drives |
| Cooling Mechanism | Active cooling (generates some noise under load) | Smart temperature-controlled fan with quiet operation | Heat-dissipating aluminum enclosure |
| Hardware Encryption Support | Yes | No |
The Western Digital My Book Duo 16TB is a high-capacity, desktop-attached storage solution designed for power users, professionals, and creatives who require massive space for their digital archives. Outfitted with two Western Digital drives inside, it operates out of the box in RAID 0 for maximum performance and full capacity, but can be easily reconfigured to RAID 1 for data redundancy or used as JBOD. The enclosure features a sleek, minimalist black chassis that integrates easily into desktop workspaces and includes hardware encryption to help secure sensitive files. Connectivity is handled primarily via USB-C with USB 3.1 Gen 1 support, ensuring wide compatibility with both Windows and Mac systems. Additionally, the unit incorporates two extra USB 3.0 Type-A hub ports on the back for connecting peripherals or daisy-chaining storage. It serves as a reliable centralization point for photo libraries, 4K video editing footage, and comprehensive system backups.
It offers a multi-bay enclosure with quiet fan cooling tailored for a file server, though you must supply your own hard drives separately.
The TerraMaster D2-320 is a 2-bay USB direct-attached storage (DAS) enclosure designed for home offices, creative professionals, and small businesses seeking reliable and fast external storage. It features a high-speed USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C interface, supporting transfer speeds up to 10Gbps when paired with compatible drives. The device accommodates both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives and solid-state drives, offering a maximum raw capacity of up to 40TB (2 x 20TB). Its aluminum alloy chassis ensures efficient heat dissipation, complemented by a smart, temperature-controlled quiet cooling fan to maintain optimal operating temperatures. Tool-free drive trays allow for quick and easy installation or replacement of hard drives without the need for additional tools. While it lacks built-in hardware RAID, it supports various software RAID configurations depending on the host operating system.
It delivers high-end reliability and multi-bay RAID capabilities suitable for a robust file server, though it uses a desktop form factor with an external power supply.
The LaCie 2big RAID 8TB is a professional desktop storage solution designed for creative professionals, photographers, and videographers who demand reliable, high-capacity external storage. Encased in a sleek, space-gray aluminum enclosure designed by Neil Poulton, it houses enterprise-class IronWolf Pro hard drives rated for heavy workloads. The device features hardware RAID 0 and RAID 1 capabilities, allowing users to optimize for either maximum speed or data redundancy. Connectivity is handled via a USB-C interface supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2, ensuring broad compatibility with both Mac and Windows systems. Additionally, it includes hot-swappable drive bays for seamless maintenance and zero-downtime upgrades.
| Not specified |
| RAID Support Modes | RAID-0 and RAID-1 | Multiple RAID modes | RAID 0 and 1 |
| Enclosure Material and Design | Heavy-duty desktop storage solution | Versatile two-bay external enclosure | Sleek, heat-dissipating aluminum enclosure |
| Target Audience | Users needing massive capacity and data redundancy | Users wanting to choose their own CMR hard drives | Professionals and power users demanding uncompromising reliability |
| Interface Cable Connectivity | USB-A to USB-C cable included | USB 3.1 Type-C high speed connection | USB-C and USB-A cable connectivity |
When comparing the Western Digital My Book Duo 16TB, Terramaster D2-320, and LaCie 2big Raid 8TB, the primary differences lie in pricing, drive inclusion, and cooling design. The Western Digital offers a massive 16TB out-of-the-box solution with hardware encryption, though it is the most expensive at $380. The Terramaster D2-320 functions as an enclosure-only unit for $170, giving users the freedom to select their own CMR drives while featuring a quiet smart fan. Finally, the LaCie 2big Raid sits in the mid-high price range at $350 with an 8TB capacity, sleek aluminum thermal design, and top-tier user ratings for professional environments.
Best for users who want a massive 16TB capacity right out of the box with built-in hardware encryption for heavy-duty backups.
Best for budget-conscious users or those who already own specific CMR hard drives and only need a quiet, reliable enclosure.
Best for professionals and power users willing to pay for enterprise-class reliability, sleek aluminum cooling, and top-rated performance.
