We’ve been waiting eagerly for more information on HP’s MediaSmart server, and to date, they’ve been pretty coy about releasing any - especially pricing! Good news, though, Amazon.com are today listing two HP MediaSmart Windows Home Server systems on their site, whilst elsewhere, pricing has been mistakenly published (and then pulled) on a couple of online retail sites - PC Mall and onSale.com. Best Buy also have some new information to share. I guess HP will be miffed.
So what do we know?
There will be 500Gb and 1Tb variants, with the following US pricing:
500Gb HP MediaSmart EX470 (GG795AA#ABA) - $596 (£299)
1Tb HP MediaSmart EX475 (GG796AA#ABA) $745 (£374)
Both systems will be powered by a 64-bit (and therefore WHS v2 compatible) 1.8GHz AMD Sempron processor and come bundled with HP’s bundled Photo Webshare software, including direct links to Snapfish (HP’s Photo Printing partner). The 1Tb system appears to be configured as 2 x 500Gb hard disks, leaving 2 of the system’s 4 drive bays free for extra storage (as well as the 4 free external USB 2.0 ports). The EX470 is configured as 1 x 500Gb, with three free internal bays for future expansion. As you can see from the shot of the system’s rear below, it will be fully headless, with no monitor port.
Both systems are now listed at Amazon.com without pricing:
Check out the shots:
So, full specs as we have them:
Product: HP MediaSmart Server
Processor: AMD LIVE 64 1.8 Ghz Sempron
Internal Storage: 1 x 500Gb SATA (EX470)/ 2 x 500Gb SATA (EX475)
Storage Expansion: 3 Drive Bays Free (EX470)/ 2 Drive Bays Free (EX475)
External USB Ports: 4
Dimensions: 9.7 x 9.2 x 5.5 inches
Weight: 14.92 Lbs
Pricing: $596 (EX470)/ $745 (EX475)
Here’s HP’s Blurb:
Easily enhance your network
It’s quick and easy to set up your HP MediaSmart Server and create up to 10 user accounts using the Microsoft Windows Home Server software. You can also open a predefined Guest account for additional file sharing capabilities.
The HP MediaSmart Server also lets you set up your own secure personal web address to allow file access by remote users.
Every PC on your network will have the Control Center software giving users the ability to browse shared folders on the HP MediaSmart Server, add photos to the HP Photo Webshare and perform an immediate backup of their computer. Set the access privileges for each user at the shared-folder level to allow Read/Write, Read Only or No Access. You also control the remote access privilege for each user. Approved users will then be able to remotely access shared files and even applications on their home PC through a secure connection from any Internet-connected PC.
Share your media
Use included HP Photo Webshare software to easily and securely share photos stored on your HP MediaSmart Server with select friends and family. A quick link to Snapfish allows easy photo printing. Enjoy digital music, photos, video and files from any networked PC. Stream content directly to your home entertainment center using a digital media adapter (DMA). The DMA device accesses the media files and coordinates the streaming process between the HP MediaSmart Server and your entertainment device.
Protect your data
Keep your PC files safe with automatic backup for multiple PCs. You can customize the frequency of backups and how many backups are stored. Files accidentally deleted can be easily found on the backup image and copied to your PC. In the event of hard drive failure, the included HP PC Restore disc is all you need to return your PC and all your data to their original condition. Now, that’s peace of mind!
Expand your storage
Secure your files, photos and other digital valuables with expansion capacity up to 6TB of storage. Plan for future storage with the HP MediaSmart Server’s four drive bays and four USB 2.0 ports to connect external USB hard drives.
Additional features
Utilizes 64-bit processor technology from AMD for quick response
Monitor the health of your networked PCs with an HP MediaSmart Server
There’s no sign of any new activity over at HP.com right now, but I’m sure it can’t be far away. We’ll keep you posted.
Thanks to the Microsoft Certifed SBS Blog for the pricing information.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Not sure how much value to put to ‘leaked’ information - or perhaps it just did what it was supposed to - create interest. Does anyone know how this $600 will transpose to UKP (£) - typically the US/UK model is £1 = $1 ? which we all know to be untrue !! Any updates on the ‘real’ unit costs would be good news for the UK market.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Hi David,
Well, I’m trying to get hold of some more official info from HP, but all is quiet….
More news as we get it….
Terry
August 24th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
though WHS is a really great product, i’m still in doubt about HP missing out on the monitor port on their System..
August 27th, 2007 at 7:11 am
I wanted to comment but seeing its being spammed by those awfull pingbacks I will refrain from it
August 27th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Hi hoberion,
Big apologies on the spam - the post got picked up by both Engadget and Bink and the pingbacks started to flow (they seem to duck under the comment spam filter). All cleaned up now.
Please feel free to add your comments…
Terry
August 27th, 2007 at 9:22 am
woot thanks,
I just wondered how you could restore the system itself, by some sort of netboot?
August 27th, 2007 at 9:52 am
No worries,
Not sure on the restore thing at the moment - I’m guessing there will be a restore partition on the system that you activate from boot. Given that there’s no monitor port, then how you control this I’m not sure - I’ve read previously that some systems will come with a “reset” button on the system itself that will then wipe and reinstall the system partition. Until we get our hands on a system (or at least documentation) then it’s conjecture.
Hang on - had a thought - leave this question with me….
August 27th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Okay, my understanding is that the MediaSmart Server is bundled with a “Server Recovery DVD” which is used to restore the system. The following is from a help file on the MediaSmart System:
“To help recover or reset the server, the HP MediaSmart Server includes a Server Recovery Disc. Using this disc requires a DVD drive.
Server Recovery attempts to recover all data and restore the folders. However, because of the state of the system prior to the recovery, not all data may be able to be recovered or integrated into the folder structure.”
So, I guess you’ll need an external USB DVD drive to restore the system….
Terry
August 28th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Terry -
I’ve been running an HP MediaSmart Server for two weeks now (working on it for the new Dummies book), and everything works great. It’s been a long time since I was this excited about a new Microsoft product, but Windows Home Server is something everyone should consider. The price for the HP unit isn’t all that high, particularly when you consider all you’re getting - not just the hardware, but also the capabilities of the software.
As for restoring the server if the main drive fails… The HP docs I have aren’t clear about how to perform a restore, but the Server Recovery Disc not only requires a DVD drive, you have to be able to boot from it. The Server Recovery Disc only comes into play in case of a catastrophic failure of the server’s main hard drive. I’ve run several simulated crashes on other Windows Home Server machines and, if all important folders are duplicated, everything survives the experience (although you have to re-enter user names, passwords, and the like).
I’ll keep you posted if I learn anything new about the HP machine.
August 28th, 2007 at 4:09 am
Any word on whether or not it has gigabit ethernet?
August 28th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Hi Woody
Hopefully, the BIOS is set to check the USB for a boot device before booting from the system drive…. thanks for the details though. Do let us know if yoy discover any more.
Donavon - yes, the system does have gigabit ethernet, I believe.
Terry