Finder alternatives / slow folder loading

[SteveiJobs]

Backstory:

 

I have struggled with many different "laptop" type devices (Surface Pro, Android tablets, iPad, etc) after my last laptop died. I finally landed on a MacBook Pro, even though I am about 60/40 with Windows and Linux (though I do have an iPhone, which definitely sells me on the Mac ecosystem).

 

However the one thing I cannot get past so far is the Finder. Windows Explorer is obviously optimized for SMB/CIFS, but whenever I browse network shares with my MBP, it chugs if there are more than about 2 dozen files. This makes browsing folders of pictures a nightmare, if they even show at all.

 

It's not the NAS (Freenas 11.1, 4x WD Red, 32G RAM, 12c/24t). Has anyone overcome similar issues with Finder? I'm not about to give up the form factor but I'm considering dual booting if it keeps up.

 

Thanks!

[SteveiJobs]

Also in before Username/Post synergy gets pointed out. Username is an old gamertag from 2003 lol

[nook24]

Unfortunately I cannot help on this particular issue but have you tried to use NFS instead of SMB?