WD My Cloud EX4100 Expert Series 4-Bay Network Attached Storage Review
Review Details
The WD My Cloud EX4100 is a high-performance NAS solution designed for secure access to your valuable media files, photos, and documents. Powered by a powerful Marvell ARMADA 388 1.6 GHz dual-core processor and 2 GB DDR3 memory, it boasts ultra-fast transfer speeds of 114 MB/s upload and 108 MB/s download for media streaming. Additionally, it offers robust data protection through multiple RAID and backup options, ensuring your valuable files remain safe.
The EX4100 is further enhanced by My Cloud OS, providing a suite of tools and applications that allow you to take control of your data with ease. It also supports Plex Media Server, ensuring all your media is well-organized and prepared for streaming to various devices.
Users comments / reviews
A tidy little NAS drive but corners cut in a number of places (review of diskless version).
I bought the EX4100 to replace a DL4100 that failed after a firmware update. It is identical to the DL4100 but with a different MCU.
This is a very good solid NAS drive. The case is metal with a gloss black plastic front. Drives are easy to install and the setup options are very well explained.
So quick to set up, no screws, no tools, just push the drives into the slots, close the flaps and plug it in.
The write speeds are ridiculous. It has top of the range NAS drives in it (x4), in RAID-5, and I’m transferring >5TB of data to it… at a whopping speed of…. 3MB/s.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast transfer speeds | Slow write speeds |
| Robust data protection | No HDD caddy for SSDs |
| Easy setup | Occasional connection issues |
| Plex Media Server support | Limited LAN access to apps |
- Marvell ARMADA 388 1.6 GHz dual-core processor and 2 GB DDR3 memory
- Fast transfer speeds: 114 MB/s upload and 108 MB/s download
- My Cloud OS with a suite of tools and applications
- Plex Media Server support for organized media streaming
- Multiple RAID and backup options for data protection
- Easy setup and installation
Summary of the review
The WD My Cloud EX4100 Expert Series 4-Bay Network Attached Storage is a powerful and versatile NAS solution, offering fast transfer speeds and robust data protection. However, it is not without its drawbacks, such as slow write speeds and occasional connection issues. The device also lacks a HDD caddy for SSDs, which may pose challenges for those who want to use SSDs in their setup. Despite these limitations, the EX4100’s easy setup and Plex Media Server support make it a good option for users who value convenience and media organization.
Overall, the WD My Cloud EX4100 is a solid NAS solution with some room for improvement. If you can look past the slow write speeds and connection issues, it offers a range of features that may meet your storage and media streaming needs. However, if you require faster write speeds or more consistent connectivity, you may want to consider alternative NAS solutions.
