HP.ca: EX485 MediaSmart Home Server $399.99 Free Shipping

[CalgaryRunner]

HP announced new MediaSmart Home Server models (EX490 and EX495) last week but today I noticed that HP Canada's shopping site has dropped the price on one of their old models (EX485) to $399.99 with free shipping. As well, NCIX is selling it for the same price - while you'll have to pay shipping with NCIX some of you won't have to pay PST if ordering from them. I believe this model originally sold for $599.99.

http://h10057.www1.hp.com/ecomcat/hpcatalog/specs/provisioner/images/eu/mediasmart-server_70x100.jpg

HP link: http://h20386.www2.hp.com/CanadaStore/SubCategories.aspx?plvl=Level2&pid=C972&?jumpid=re_r552_ca/hho/psg/volumeLead_prod_ref/landing/homeserver_storage
NCIX link: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41289&vpn=FL700AA%23ABA&manufacture=HP%20Consumer&promoid=1008

I'm aware that NCIX had the Acer Easystore H340 on sale earlier this week for $289.99 but I personally prefer the HP models.

[WalnutCrunch]

I'm aware that NCIX had the Acer Easystore H340 on sale earlier this week for $289.99 but I personally prefer the HP models.

Me too, but maybe not for the $110 difference. I sure hope HP brings down their prices to be more competitive with the Acer WHS.

[andreid]

Surfing around I saw someone was selling the Linksys Media Hub Home Entertainment Storage With LCD NMH410 NAS server for $399.

It would be interesting to know the experience of users of these different media servers.


HP announced new MediaSmart Home Server models (EX490 and EX495) last week but today I noticed that HP Canada's shopping site has dropped the price on one of their old models (EX485) to $399.99 with free shipping. As well, NCIX is selling it for the same price - while you'll have to pay shipping with NCIX some of you won't have to pay PST if ordering from them. I believe this model originally sold for $599.99.

http://h10057.www1.hp.com/ecomcat/hpcatalog/specs/provisioner/images/eu/mediasmart-server_70x100.jpg

HP link: http://h20386.www2.hp.com/CanadaStore/SubCategories.aspx?plvl=Level2&pid=C972&?jumpid=re_r552_ca/hho/psg/volumeLead_prod_ref/landing/homeserver_storage
NCIX link: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41289&vpn=FL700AA%23ABA&manufacture=HP%20Consumer&promoid=1008

I'm aware that NCIX had the Acer Easystore H340 on sale earlier this week for $289.99 but I personally prefer the HP models.

[Mumm-Ra]

I'm aware that NCIX had the Acer Easystore H340 on sale earlier this week for $289.99 but I personally prefer the HP models.

I bought the Acer for that price from FS (PM'd it), and have to say it's awesome... I don't have one complaint.

[xxgg]

Build your own and save money.

[Absolute]

Build your own and save money.

Erg - Celeron single-core with wireless B networking (not even G).... agreed!

[CalgaryRunner]

Build your own and save money.
You could do that if you don't care how large the case is, but can you build a comparable system for less money that has the same case size as the HP and can hold 4 hard drives? If you can, I'd be interested to see what parts you would use.

I could have built a WHS system for free, using spare parts I have on hand and downloading the WHS software from TechNet, but it would have ended up in a mid-tower sized case. I wanted something much smaller than that.

Erg - Celeron single-core with wireless B networking (not even G).... agreed!
A single core Celeron (I believe this model uses the Celeron 440) is perfectly adequate for a home server. As for your comment about wireless B, I have no idea what you're talking about. The EX485 has a gigabit ethernet connection.

[jasonverden]

Build your own and save money.

Can you recommend a build? I was planning on doing this, as these always seem way overpriced to me.

I was thinking about something like this:

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33713&vpn=K48-K1-BK-V1&manufacture=Shuttle

and adding 2 GB of ram, low watt processor, and 2 1.5 TB hds. For running WHS and serving as a media server, would this be a good way to go? Or are there better options.

Want something that can be left on 24/7, use low power, automate torrent downloads, and serve media to my HTPC.