Cloud storage is expensive, we like to host our own content locally these days, and can you really put all your trust in third-party backup solutions?
The fact is that more and more people are installing a NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device on their home networks, and that’s awesome. That is, until you see how much a proper purpose-built dedicated NAS costs! The good news is that you probably already have at least one device that can act as some sort of NAS, for better or worse.
A gaming handheld can secretly double as a portable NAS
It’s literally a PC
Let’s not bury the lede here. Yes, you can turn a Steam Deck into a NAS because the Steam Deck is just a computer running Linux. My colleague Adam Conover over at XDA turned his Steam Deck into a home server using Docker and various containers.
There’s no reason you couldn’t replace the OS or use a container to perform NAS duties. The same goes for any handheld PC. Just replace the software or add NAS software to the existing OS. Of course, you don’t want to keep using the device as a gaming handheld at this point. It’s just a great use of a device that you may no longer be using for its intended purpose.
Handheld PCs tend to have very powerful CPUs and a decent amount of RAM, at least 16GB, and some have more. So why not put all that processing power to good use?
7/10
- Dimensions
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295.6 x 136.7 x 42.25 mm
- Brand
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Lenovo
- Weight
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2.03 pounds
- Chipset
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AMD Ryzen Z2/Extreme
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 features the AMD Ryzen Z2/Z2 Extreme processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and an 8.8-inch OLED 144Hz display for gaming on-the-go. With a solid battery lift lasting over two hours of intense gaming, the Legion Go 2 is ready for whatever you throw at it.
Old mini PCs make shockingly good low-power NAS boxes
Small but mighty
I’m a big fan of mini PCs, especially old ones that you can buy for very little money. They’re awesome for self-hosting services on your LAN, and that includes running a NAS OS on one. Mini PCs, especially Intel Mini PCs, tend to have powerful multicore CPUs, upgradable RAM and SSD storage, a decent amount of fast USB ports for external drives, and at least one Gigabit Ethernet port. Considering that you’re looking at maybe $30–$100 for a good one of the right vintage, and it’s a sweet deal.
Routers already have most of the hardware needed for a NAS
Basic but usable
If your router has a USB port, there’s a good chance it supports USB mass storage and network sharing. While it’s not a proper NAS with all the bells and whistles, if all you need is a shared network drive, then plugging a USB hard drive into your existing router and simply sharing it on your LAN is good enough. As long as your router’s up and running, the storage should be available.
It’s crude, but I’ve done this many times over the years and it works!
Single-board computers are no longer just hobby projects
What can’t SBCs do?
Another colleague of mine, Nick Lewis built the low-power NAS you see above using a Raspberry Pi 4. The Pi 4 and the later Pi 5 have capable multicore CPUs, and you can get both models with decent amounts of RAM.
If you already have a Raspberry Pi or other suitable single-board computer, then it’s worth trying. My only concern here is that the prices of these boards have gone up quite a lot, which is why I lean towards the mini PC side of things, given the bargains you can get on used models.
- Brand
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Raspberry Pi
- Storage
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8GB
It’s only recommended for tech-savvy users, but the Raspberry Pi 5 is a tinkerer’s dream. Cheap, highly customizable, and with great onboard specs, it’s a solid base for your next mini PC.
Your old desktop PC or laptop might be the best NAS you already own
There’s also the least surprising set of options: an old laptop or desktop. Again, these are just computers, and you can put whatever software you like onto them. If you use an old desktop tower, you have all that modularity, and potentially plenty of internal drive bays you can use.
If you use a laptop as a NAS, then you have a self-contained device with peripherals and a battery backup, so that has its advantages too. The core strategy here is to use what you already have before committing to an expensive NAS device, and if you’re in the right frame of mind, anything can look like a NAS.

