So, now you know how the home server category is shaping up in 2009, and it’s a battle for great hardware and software features at the lowest price.
HP and Acer are bringing to market two brand new home servers with different features, both at a $399 price point. It’ll be interesting to see which does best in the marketplace. But before all that, let the WGS Community decide! You’ve read the reviews, so your challenge is simple.
Acer Aspire easyStore Home Server vs the HP MediaSmart Server LX195 – which would you buy out of the two. Make sure you hit up the comments panel to tell us why.
30. April 2009 at 9:18 am
I vote for the Acer because of the possibility of the large storage capacity with a low volume of electricity use. That's why I have a WHS too. The software from HP looks great though. But I think it's just a matter of (a little) time before more nice add-ins will follow.
30. April 2009 at 10:15 am
In this particular instance, Acer represents greater value, because of the expandability. Agree with Hans regarding the add-ins, and that HP's UI is more refined. As an aside, is the UK completely off the list of HP's distribution? What's the reason, if so?
30. April 2009 at 11:53 am
I would choose Acer over the LX195 given they are the same price (I am an owner of the HP MSS EX470). The LX195 should be closer to $200 then $400 since any additional storage you are required to buy additional USB drives/enclosures.
30. April 2009 at 12:48 pm
I too voted for the Acer, simple for the ability to add internal storage. And I also agree its only a matter of time before add-ins that add some or all of the features of the HP servers are freely available.
30. April 2009 at 1:01 pm
If I had to do it over again, I would probably go for the Acer (I currently own the HP EX470), merely because of the way that HP is disrespecting the early adopters that made their home server product line successful.
30. April 2009 at 1:03 pm
Acer definately if for no other reason…HP will dump you after 6 months!
30. April 2009 at 1:20 pm
HP have shown clearly that they don't care about people who purchased the original EX470 etc. No upgrades for software after 1.x years is awful… won't be buying an HP again I'm afraid.
30. April 2009 at 1:40 pm
Acer!! – HP will drop support of the add-ins/interface they include, stating the hardware can't handle it though their marketing would state otherwise. Why not save money and go with Acer. As noted an add-in will probably be created for no or nominal charge.
I had an Acer laptop and loved it. Went with HP to replace it and have regretted my purchase.
When WHSv2 is released I'm guessing HP won't provide upgrade options for EX47x owners. I will end up throwing their box in the trash and look to Acer or build my own.
30. April 2009 at 2:43 pm
I suspect that at the moment you could put a vote up for a turd vs anything from HP and the turd would win. There's no love for HP from home server owners at the moment.
30. April 2009 at 4:00 pm
The Acer unit includes a PCI Express Slot !! Thats huge.
If v2 WHS includes Media Center as many of hope for, we will now have a way to take advantage of internal TV tuners. And if I can project alittle…maybe..just maybe..we'll finally see a major OEM like HP & Acer certify their future WHS products with Cable Labs.
30. April 2009 at 4:06 pm
i totally agree. I wouldn't trust HP again with their lack of support for my HP Mediaserver that is less than 18 mos old…
30. April 2009 at 4:07 pm
30. April 2009 at 6:30 pm
I paid, as did many people, $400 for an EX470 near the end of last year, and that's now the list for this one. Granted, list is only list, but this seems to have almost nothing going for it. Oh, other than that fine HP customer care.
30. April 2009 at 6:42 pm
Acer, I won’t be purchasing any new HP products in the future having experienced how they treat existing customers of the EX475.
30. April 2009 at 6:50 pm
I can remember when many people could justify paying a bit more for similar functionality (or payingt the same for slightly less functionality) just to get the brand name recognition and expectation of excellence that came with the HP name.
It is a shame to see that recent HP actions have done so much to damage the HP reputation that it is now perceived as a negative factor in the purchasing decision. And it's a bigger shame to see HP do nothing about it.
30. April 2009 at 7:02 pm
Acer, HP's totally dumping the UK server market makes it a non-contest. Introduce the EX487 HP Mediaserver into the UK and they might have a chance, but if the Acer comes out in the UK it's basically their market. (even the Scaleo has disappeared from PC Wordl) Although I would still like to see some of the HP features on the Acer, is it possible with third party add ins? If so perhaps a idea for a feature on WHS?
30. April 2009 at 7:12 pm
Same prise huge storage for ACER… Personaly I hate ACER I alway have bad product from they, but … I vote for Acer server
30. April 2009 at 9:29 pm
Next server will definitely be an ACER. HP, you burned me once by not supporting the EX475 with software updates. It won't happen again! Total HP boycott here, no more laptops, printers, etc. This dv8380us, C6180 & MS EX475 are the last HP products I will own.
30. April 2009 at 9:31 pm
This is a tough one for me. I love the HP's minimalist design. By comparison the Acer looks cheap and ugly (IMO), though it does offer more storage. Like so many others on this thread, I've been burned by HP. So I'm not sure I'd give $400 for either of these.
If the HP comes down in price as much as the previous two HP WHS models have, then I'll buy it (for, say, $250).
30. April 2009 at 9:59 pm
A WHS server HAS to have multi-drive support in my opinion. Personally I need four bays but I could not recommend a unit with only one.
Would DEFINITELY choose the Acer over the HP LX195.
(NOTE, folks that the comparison is to the new LX195, NOT to the EX47x or EX48x HP units! I believe some earlier comments address the wrong HP unit.)
1. May 2009 at 12:00 am
Actually, Terry did not provide a complete poll. Where is the self-built option?
And why are the REAL enthusiasts not screaming for a poll change? lol!
And for the record: neither. Self-built all the way!
1. May 2009 at 12:15 am
Never HP again.
1. May 2009 at 1:36 am
Never again HP (at least for servers) support is well broken to say the least. It has vanished from the UK! Acer for me.
1. May 2009 at 3:44 am
How about the fact HP left me hanging without the latest 2.5 update for my 470, i cant stand that
1. May 2009 at 5:24 am
Why reward HP as they cut you out of upgrades, and early adopters are penalized. This is not the company of Bill and Dave where the customer rules (or I should say ruled). Now it's … better left unsaid.
1. May 2009 at 11:23 am
I would definitely go for the Acer I am a very unhappy 3 month old EX470 owner who believe that HP should support a product with software. THREE MONTHS OLD and OBSOLETE, shameful customer care, I am sure Acer will not treat their customers like that.
1. May 2009 at 4:16 pm
Done deal for me…. ordered the Acer
1. May 2009 at 5:30 pm
I'm buying (or hopefully building) a server in the next month, and I have to say HP would need to knock $100 or so off the LX195 price in order to compete on a price/performance basis.
And that's not even taking into account whatever it is they've apparently done to make their customer service in this niche as bad as their customer service in other consumer segments.
1. May 2009 at 7:18 pm
Acer! I’m a very disappointed less than one year old HP MediaSmart EX475. I will do my absolute best to never purchase either personally or professionally a HP product. I will also encourage all friends, family and business colleagues to take the same position. Shame on HP! HP you won’t burn me again!!!
2. May 2009 at 1:19 am
After reading both of the reviews, I would have to go for the Acer based just on storage capacity/storage options. I just don't see how you can have a home server with just 1 hard drive. If Acer can come out with a model with some of the media features that HP has I think it will blow the HP away.
I can definately understand the people burned by HP.Defiantely not the smartest thing to do if you want people coming back. Looking at the replies here I did not see anybody saying they would go back to HP. Can't blame them.
I used my old Dell Poweredge for my homeserver with Subsonic to stream my music which works great. I was considering a HP before finding out what has happened to existing MSS owners.
3. May 2009 at 3:54 pm
HP, HP's software is better and keeps getting better. From what I've seen Acer doesn't even have a update mechanism of thier own, I guess Acer users won't have to complain about missing out on a Acer update
3. May 2009 at 8:12 pm
be careful buying an HP WHS, especially if you want short-to-mid term software support.
3. May 2009 at 8:57 pm
Of course HP is stil supporting these products, we are only annoyed for not having the previous version being included in the recent free feature updates for the 2009 version of the MSS. We shouldn't confuse support with free new features, still I agree they should have been made avialable to the older hardware also. Not sure about the Acer question.
5. May 2009 at 8:22 pm
Acer all the way!
6. May 2009 at 7:52 am
Acer ftw! why would a WHS be limited to a single drive?
9. September 2009 at 12:25 am
there was a blog where a user bought an acer and he had to call customer support and none of the support has ever heard of the home server. At least HP know what an home server is…
30. April 2009 at 1:23 pm
Shoud it not be Acer vs HP485 smack down !
The Acer still wins
30. April 2009 at 3:01 pm
Agreed. I am so angry with HP's lack of support for the 470 I wouldn't touch them again.