Side-by-side specifications of the Synology DS213j and DS213+, from official datasheets. Differences are highlighted.
| DS213j | DS213+ | |
| CPU | Marvell Kirkwood 1.2GHz | Intel Atom |
| Cores / threads | — | dual-core |
| RAM (base) | 512MB DDR3 | 1GB |
| RAM (max) | 512MB | 3GB |
| Drive bays | 2 | 2 |
| Expandable to | 0 | 0 |
| M.2 slots | 0 | 0 |
| Network | 1x Gigabit | 1x Gigabit |
| 10GbE | no | no |
| Max raw capacity | 8TB | 8TB |
| Hot-swap | no | yes |
| Form factor | desktop | desktop |
| Released | 2013 | 2012 |
Choose the DS213+ if you want the faster CPU and the higher RAM ceiling; it’s the better pick for heavier multitasking, but both units still have the same 2 bays and no expansion. Neither the DS213+ nor DS213j has 10GbE or M.2, so those features don’t help decide between them.