Two computers to one: NAS vs. simple HDD enclosure vs. ??

Hello all,

I'd like to go from two computers to one. The components and build for my desktop were purchased from Micro Center and the specs are pasted below. My laptop is a Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, certainly beefy enough to do occasional photo and video editing. I'd like to make the laptop into my only computer while keeping access to all the files (photos, videos, etc.) on the 10 TB drive. I'm guessing I could do this with a docking station and some kind of hard drive enclosure.

What are some good options? The only "hard" requirement is that I need to keep access to the files on the big drive. This could be via a simple hard drive enclosure, so I'd have to plug in physically to access the files. Alternately, I'm willing to consider options that would let me access the files remotely. Where I'm lost is in the details (i.e. specific parts and configuration), so I'm wide open to feedback.

I would probably replace the current WD Purple drive, as a precaution, simply due to its age. I have a Backblaze account for offline backup of everything.

Later all,

Erik

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Best Answer

  • Selarom_Yar
    Selarom_Yar ✭✭
    First Answer First Comment
    Answer ✓

    How about this to consider? You can always reach out to their Knowledge Bar for assistance and for further clarification or for additional options.

    Option 1: Direct Access via USB Enclosure (Most Simple & Cost-Effective)

    🔹 Recommended Setup

    ✅ Pros

    • Plug-and-play via USB-C or USB-A
    • No network setup required
    • Fast enough for photo/video editing
    • Easy to swap drives later

    ⚠️ Cons

    • Must be physically connected to laptop
    • No remote access unless laptop is on and shared

    🌐 Option 2: NAS (Network Attached Storage) for Remote Access

    🔹 Recommended Setup

    ✅ Pros

    • Access files from anywhere (home or remote)
    • Can stream media, backup devices, host Plex
    • Expandable and RAID-capable

    ⚠️ Cons

    • Higher cost (~$500+ with drives)
    • Requires setup and network configuration
    • Slightly slower than direct USB for large file transfers

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