So, following IFA last week, we know a lot more about the various Windows Home Server launch hardware that will be released over the next few months and many of you will be thinking about purchasing one of the new systems - but which one will you buy? To help you make your mind up, today I’m making available a document that lists as much specification detail as we have on each of the systems hitting the market.
This is version 0.2, and I’ll continue to update it as we get more information from manufacturers closer to release.
Feel free to feedback any thoughts you have on the document, and (importantly) let me know if you spot any errors!
WHS Launch Hardware Comparison v0.2 [MS Word .doc]
September 5th, 2007 at 9:56 am
I presume the first Tranquil has a 500Gb HDD, rather than a 512mb?
September 5th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Darn it I was just about to say the same about the Tranquil entry. I would have thought that this sort of information would be better served on a web page with active links to the relevant sites. It’s nice to have all the info at hand, good work. Now I just need to decide if I can justify buying a new system or if I should reuse all the old parts I have lying about…
September 5th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Thanks Dan and Dave - edited. Trust me to be half asleep this morning!
Yep, web page is in plan - only problem is that the OEMs don’t have webpages up yet, but basically, this doc will end up being published at http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/whs-hardware/ once I sort the formatting out and get a bit more info in there!
Cheers
Terry
September 5th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I thought the revised HP schedule still had there WHS shipping in time for the christmas shopping season. The articles talked about an oct. launch date.
September 5th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Looking forward to further updates although I doubt any will consume less power the the Tranquil PC
Definitely tempted by that if only for the low power usage
Only thing that is putting me off is the single disk as I’m inclined to do some disk mirroring just in case
September 5th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Hey Grant
They’ve said between “70-120″ days for the US (which is really vague) but have confirmed Jan ‘08 for Europe - if it’s earlier, it’s a bonus!
Terry
September 5th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Pete,
Yep, single disk with the Tranquil, but you get the low power usage and a very small footprint. You can still add external drives via USB and they’re self-powered….. depends on what you need, I guess!
Terry
September 5th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Terry - an excellent start on the ‘comparison’ chart - I suppose we all would like a ‘quick’ review guide, and once you have populated the chart completely it will have the making of an excellent ‘buyers guide’.
There’s seem to have been queries, regarding Tranquil’s ’single’ drive - this is something of a mis-understanding. The T7-HSA has been presented, as far as I know, as an affordable, low power ‘base platform’ - to be added to.
Of course the very first ‘addition’ should be a USB HDD (to enable folder duplication) - as USB HDDs are so plentiful in choice and price. It’s good that buyers are free to shop around and make their own decisions ?
Again, good start to the ‘review’ I look forward to the ‘additions’ as they happen.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Thanks David - as I’ve said before, one of the great things about this new home server category is that a lot of hardware designers have chosen the platform for new format innovation. Small footprints, larger footprints, single bays, multiple bays - a plethora of choice, which is great for the consumer. Helping people through the maze of options is what we’re about here, and this kind of guide, couple with (hopefully) clear and impartial reviews of the hardware as it gets released will help people ensure they make the choice that’s right for them.
The comparison chart is a first draft (slightly clunky) tool to kick this off - over time it will evolve into something a bit more comprehensive I’m sure!