Hands-On: HP MediaSmart Server EX487 (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of our 5 part review of the HP MediaSmart Server EX487. Parts 1, 2, 3  4 & 5 are also available.

What’s in the Box?

We’ve been running a pre-production version of the new HP MediaSmart Server for a few weeks. As with the first release of the product, two versions have been announced, which differ only in the amount of storage available. The tale of the tape is as follows:

The MediaSmart Server is bundled with the following:

• HP MediaSmart Server
• Power Cable
• Installation CD
• Server Recovery CD
• Ethernet Cable
• Setup Poster
• User Manual

As with the first model, the package is as comprehensive as you would wish and the Setup Poster makes initial installation and configuration a breeze, with the included manual providing more comprehensive support if required. HP certainly have the best installation and support materials available for Windows Home Server which is of great benefit to those new to the platform.

First Looks

Those of you who are familiar with the previous model will see the new HP MediaSmart Server’s hardware spec as evolutionary, rather than revolutionary. The chassis is retained from the EX470/475 (ensuring that hardware upgrades remain as tricky as ever, unfortunately) with two minor cosmetic changes – the silver top panel of the debut model is replaced by one in black and the 4 drive indicator lights move from dark blue to a light aqua (certainly to ensure design consistency between the HP MediaSmart Server and other current HP hardware).

Around the Back

The rear of the unit is also unchanged from the previous model, offering the same, comprehensive connectivity options including 3 USB 2.0 connections for external hard drives, an eSATA port for connecting a larger drive enclosure, gigabit Ethernet for connection to your router and a plug for the power cable. In all, it’s a tidy collection and as much as a true home server needs.

Under the Hood

The first big piece of news regarding the new model is that it comes fully loaded with much greater firepower under the hood than its predecessor.

Both of the new models come with an Intel Celeron 440 processor running at 2.0Ghz and offering true 64-bit compatibility. Given the next major upgrade to Windows Home Server is likely to be based on Windows 2008 R2 (which will be 64-bit only) you have an easy upgrade path to future versions of the platform.

Best of all, HP have realised that Windows Home Server really does need more than 512Mb of RAM to fulfil its potential and have loaded up the new MediaSmart Server with 2Gb of RAM. Hopefully that now negates the need to open up the chassis for (relatively fiddly) memory upgrades.

All in all, it adds up to a great looking home server with the power to deliver on even the most demanding of tasks.

The two models differ in the amount of storage provided in the box, but both systems build on that offered by their predecessors. The cheaper EX485 is fitted with a single 750 Gb hard drive, leaving three drive bays empty for future storage, whilst the EX487 doubles up with two 750GB drives, offering 1.5Tb of total storage.

As with the previous model, storage expansion is made easy thanks to the 4 swappable drive bays fitted to the MediaSmart Server. You simply release a latch, pull out an empty tray, drop in a SATA hard drive and slot the tray back into the system. Let Windows Home Server know that the drive is there and you’re done.

So, incremental changes to the hardware specification may leave prospective owners who have waited for Encore feeling slightly underwhelmed, but you get a very high quality build with better performance and easy upgrade options on storage and on the Windows Home Server platform itself. From a design point of view, no OEM has come close to matching the elegant design of the HP MediaSmart Server – if it ain’t broke, why fix it.

So far, so good – but we’ve not yet uncovered Encore’s magic which, strangely for one of the world’s largest hardware businesses, comes from new software add-ins that are bundled with the HP MediaSmart Server. Check them out in Part 3 of our hands-on review.

Part 3: The Software >>

Read the rest of our review:

Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Hardware
Part 3: Software 
Part 4: Software cont.
Part 5: Verdict