HP MediaSmart Server

HP MediaSmart Server
EX470 and EX475

Manufacturer	Hewlett Packard
Cost	US$599 (EX470) US$749 (EX475)
Type	Home Server
Processor	AMD Sempron 3400+
Frequency	1.8GHz
Memory	512MB
Ports	Gigabit Ethernet 4 USB 2.0 1 eSATA
Power consumption	~52 W (idle, single drive) to ~99 W (full load, 4 drives)
Weight	5.17 kg (EX470) 5.76 kg (EX475)
Dimensions	14 cm x 25 cm x 23 cm

The HP MediaSmart Server is a home server from Hewlett-Packard that runs Microsoft's Windows Home Server operating system.

Models

HP MediaSmart Server EX490

HP MediaSmart Server EX490 packaging

HP MediaSmart Server EX490 hard disk bay

As of October 2008, the HP MediaSmart Server is sold in two models, EX470 (RRP US$599) and EX475 (RRP US$749). They feature a 1.8GHz AMD Sempron 3400+ processor, one Gigabit Ethernet port, four internal SATA drive bays, four USB 2.0 ports and one eSATA port.^[1] The two models are identical with the exception of the amount of included storage: the EX470 has one 500GB hard drive preinstalled, while the EX475 has two 500GB hard drives preinstalled.

Hackers and enthusiasts have modded the EX470 by adding a VGA monitor,^[2] upgrading the memory from 512MB to 2GB^[3] and upgrading the processor to a 2.6GHz AMD LE-1640.^[4]

On December 29, 2008, HP announced two more models, the EX485 and the EX487, available for pre-orders starting on January 8, 2009. The newer models include support for Apple's Time Machine backup software. They also use a 2.0 GHz Intel Celeron processor, replacing the AMD Sempron from the old models. Other features include a revamped user interface and larger preinstalled hard drives (one 750 GB drive for the EX485; two 750 GB drives in the EX487).^[5]

On April 30, 2009, HP announced the MediaSmart Server LX195 which was intended to be a low-cost entry into the Home Server market.^[6] The new model featured a single internal 640 GB drive, a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom 230 processor, 1 GB of DDR2 memory, gigabit Ethernet, and four USB ports for storage expansion. The software features included with the LX195 are same as the initial launch features of the EX485/EX487 server

On September 14, 2009, HP launched two new MediaSmart servers. The EX490 comes with 1TB of hard disk storage and costs $549, while the EX495 comes with 1.5TB and costs $699 both 7200 rpm. The 490 comes with an Intel Celeron Processor 2.2 GHZ and the 495 with an Intel Pentium Processor Dual Core 2.5 GHz.^[7]

On November 30, 2010, The Windows Home Server team at Microsoft confirmed rumors that HP would not be offering hardware for the next version of Windows Home Server (codenamed "Vail"), and that HP would stop selling MediaSmart servers altogether after the end of the calendar year 2010.^[8]

See also

• HP MediaSmart Connect
• HP MediaSmart TV

References

1. ^ "Product Information". Hewlett-Packard. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01213001&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3548165. Retrieved 2008-11-06. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "Attaching a VGA monitor to your HP EX470". HomeServerHacks.com. http://www.homeserverhacks.com/2008/03/attaching-vga-monitor-to-your-hp-ex470.html. Retrieved 2008-03-28. 
3. ^ "Upgrade the Memory in your HP EX470". HomeServerHacks.com. http://www.homeserverhacks.com/2007/12/upgrade-memory-in-your-hp-ex470.html. Retrieved 2007-12-08. 
4. ^ "Add "Wow!" Performance to your HP EX470 with a Processor Upgrade". HomeServerHacks.com. http://www.homeserverhacks.com/2008/03/add-performance-to-your-hp-ex470-with.html. Retrieved 2008-03-26. 
5. ^ "HP debuts Mac-compatible MediaSmart ex485 / ex487 home servers". Engadget. http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/29/hp-debuts-mac-compatible-mediasmart-ex485-ex487-home-servers/. Retrieved 2009-01-16. 
6. ^ "HP announces new MediaSmart Server LX195". MediaSmartServer.net. http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2009/04/30/hp-announces-new-mediasmart-server-lx195/. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
7. ^ http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/can.do?landing=notebook&storeName=accessories&category=notebook_hp&subcat1=home_servers&catLevel=1
8. ^ "HP MediaSmart Server to retire". Microsoft. http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2010/11/30/hp-mediasmart-server-to-retire.aspx. Retrieved 2010-11-30. 

External links

• HP's MediaSmart Server Site
• Official MediaSmart Server Community & Forums
• Useful Add-ins for MediaSmart Server
• MediaSmart Server Hacks and Mods Site
• MediaSmart Server Enthusiast Community