CES 2009: HP MediaSmart Servers Are a Winner
The number of homes with multiple PC continues to expand, and with it the market for Network-Attached Storage solutions. HP made waves earlier this week with its MediaSmart Server at MacWorld, where it won Best of Show--an award not given lightly to a machine that runs a Windows OS. The win is largely due to its ability to seamlessly and automatically back up both Windows and Mac computers connected to the same network. Backups are speedy due to the incremental process, where the server only copies new and recently modified files. The MediaSmart can even upload data off-site to the Amazon S3 backup service for additional security.
Apart from protecting all the data in a home, the MediaSmart server has been geared to serve media to a variety of devices--including the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It also functions as an iTunes server, allowing owners to offload and consolidate sizeable media libraries from their personal computers. Once on the MediaSmart, users can stream MP3s online to any fully flash-enabled browser through an easy-to-navigate user interface. MP3s are automatically transcoded to 128kbps to save bandwith and make streaming possible even through slower Internet connections. The MediaSmart also makes sharing photos easy with the ability to automatically upload images to a number of popular online image repositories.
Specs for the MediaSmart are fairly impressive. It is powered by a 2GHz Celeron processor and is loaded with 2GB of RAM. The base model comes with one 750GB hard drive, and an another optional 750GB drive can be added for a total of 1.5 terabytes of space. Four toolless SATA drive bays make future expansion easy for owners, and the Mediasmart's 4 USB ports will automatically use any external drives that connect to them. It is "whisper quiet" when running at full load, and has a low power mode that uses only 1 Watt of power when engaged. It supports both Ethernet and WiFi connections, but the unit does need a physical network connection to a router. On the down side, the MediaSmart runs Windows Vista Home Premium which has a limit of 8 simultaneous network connections. While this might be an issue for homes with lots of computers, most families would be hard pressed to max out all 8 network slots. The new MediaSmart models are available for preorder now, and cost $599 for the 750GB version and $749 for the 1.5TB.
--Jon D.
[Correction: The MediaSmart server runs Windows Home Server and supports up to 10 PCs. Thanks to reader Kurt!]
Kurt on January 09, 2009 at 05:02 AM
"On the down side, the MediaSmart runs Windows Vista Home Premium which has a limit of 8 simultaneous network connections. "
Uh...no it doesn't. It runs Windows Home Server and supports up to 10 PCs.
Jacob on March 24, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Any idea about the power usage of the Mini laptop? My full HP laptop uses about 20 watts under a standard load, and I was wondering what the Mini laptops draw?
UGG Classic Crochet on April 03, 2010 at 03:02 AM
Self-distrust is the cause of most of our failures.Some people pretend to despise the things they cannot have cheap ed hardy.Man can climb to the highest herve leger dress summit, but he cannot dwell there long.http://www.edhardy-buy.com/The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.