server

HP EX485 MediaSmart Home Server
$599.99
There has been lot of info from other good reviews so wanted to provide some info that I didn't see.

I have a 8TB system (4 x 2TB) with no modifications and almost no add-ons.

1) first backup on a Mac with ~1TB of data over ethernet took about 18 hours! Initial backups via ethernet only seems like a good idea.
2) noise isn't too bad even in the living room.
3) remote access via Windows Live works fine and is NOT a trial version. Works great.
4) unit is a LOT smaller than I expected.
5) nice feature to be able to turn down the LED's to different levels.
6) replacing the system default drive with the 2TB HDD was very easy. High recommended to do it before starting backups.
7) share folders work well for Macs and PC's.
8) the sleep and wakeup features works well.

The only real negative I have is that there isn't enough help documentation about the right strategies on going about using this system. I got two different books and still trying to understand how to use it as the help files are very rudimentary.

The other caveat is that for a Mac, the TOTAL backup size for ALL your Macs is limited to ONE hard drive size - for my system, it's limited to 2TB. This isn't an issue for me as my Macs total about 1.3TB of data, but can be limiting moving forward. I understand that the newer Mediasmart servers running the newer software (3.0) may resolve this sometime this fall.

Elite Platinum Stainless Steel Buffet Server
$59.99
We have tested twice since purchase 1 month ago. Functions well, no hot or cold spots. Heat setting is rather course so don't expect fine tuning. If you want to heat more gently (e.g. with a water bath) you will need to seal the riser with heat resistant silicone otherwise it would leak. Overall this is a good buy.

HP EX490 1TB Mediasmart Home Server (Black)
$543.99
I've been running the server for about 6 months now, and have had no problems with the basic functions. Backups run like clockwork, and the server functions are painless.

On the other hand, I've found the "media collector" software to be a huge pain in the butt. My network includes a 1-year old HP laptop and a 2-month old HP desktop. With everything relatively current, and everything made my HP, you'd think the whole thing would run with no headaches. Despite several calls to HP, though (HP support, by the way, is top notch and always available), the thing still gives me "media collection issues." If you check the forums, you'll see that HP included bad scripts originally, but they've pushed several patches, and those don't seem to help. I tried turning the "media collector" options off, but doing that appears to also turn off the iTunes server (which also has issues).

Anyway, 5 stars for the server and the Windows software, 1 star for the HP media collector features.

Tyan Transport GT20 B5350G20S2H-LC - Server - rack-mountable - 1U - 2-way - no CPU - RAM 0 MB - SATA - hot-swap 3.5" - no HDD - CD - RAGE XL - Gigabit Ethernet - Monitor : none
$189.99
The Transport GT20 (B5350) offers support for Dual Intel Xeon processors in a 22.4" depth, 1U rackmount server for performance and entry server applications. In addition the B5350 can use up to 16GB of DDR memory, dual Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, expansion port for PCI-X cards, and also includes (4) hot-swap SATA drive bays with RAID 0 and 1. Add a tool-less enclosure design and auto fan speed functionality, and customers will find that the Transport GT20 (B5350) becomes a compelling solution to fit a full range of server requirements.