Drobo or Desktop for Storage System?

[akasixcon]

I do video editing as a side hobby
I edit 1080p FULL HD Films
I already have 2 external hard drives for my laptop (each 1TB) almost filled up

I am looking at the most efficient per $ cost - benefit analysis
Is it better to build a desktop that stores 4 SATA hard drives
Or is it better to buy a Drobo that stores 4 SATA hard drives for $350

The upside to building a desktop is that the desktop can "encode" or "process" the video
While my laptop does the editing which speeds up my work efficiency
The downside of a desktop is that it will probably cost more than the Drobo

The upside of the Drobo is that it automatically backs up your data so if one hard drive crashes, it rebuilds your data when you put another hard drive in
It sets your hard drive so that it reads data through multiple drive

Can some desktops hold more than 4 SATA drives?
If so then what?
I'm pretty sure they have built computers designed for just storage
How does Google do it offering 4GB of Email storage for every person?

Need help on the best way for storage

 

[bkolk]

Can some desktops hold more than 4 SATA drives?
If so then what?
I'm pretty sure they have built computers designed for just storage

Yes, for example this case says it can hold 8 3.5" internal drives.
Newegg.com - AZZA Solano 1000 Black/Black Japanese SECC Steel/Metal mesh in front ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases.

You'll need to check that the motherboard you're gettin has 8 sata drives (be careful to include a sata dvd drive as well).

 

[kmote]

TBH to me drobo just looks like a RAID in a small box. A PC will be a similar price but more flexible.

 

[masteroc]

If you find a computer that is cheap but only has a few SATA connectors you can use a SATA PCI raid card to add more slots. These range in price from $40 to some very expensive high end cards depending on what you want to do.