Third generation MediaSmart Server packs upgraded hardware, new user interface and full OS backup for Apple Mac.
HP have announced the forthcoming release of their third generation MediaSmart Server, with two new models soon to arrive in the USA and Europe. The EX490 and EX495 will look familiar to home server enthusiasts, housed in the same chassis as previous models – however, the new models offer upgraded hardware, a new user interface and most impressively, full OS and data back-up and restore for Apple Mac computers.
The Hardware
The new EX495 receives a powerful boost courtesy of an Intel® Pentium® 2.5 GHZ 64-bit Dual Core Processor, whilst the EX490 gets the Intel® Celeron® 2.2 GHZ 64-bit Processor (which in itself isn’t too sluggish for a home server). The major benefit of the new power plants is faster video conversion, with HP stats declaring 7x faster video conversion than Atom powered home servers on the EX495 and 3.5x faster video conversion on the EX490. a 115 min video can be converted in 70 mins, and 145 mins respectively according to HP.
Having used the new EX495 for a couple of weeks, performance is certainly improved compared to the EX487 I’ve been running this year, with a noticeable improvement on access speed, streaming performance and Console responsiveness.
Storage is further boosted on the new models with the EX495 equipped with a 1 x 1.5Tb drive, and the EX490 packing a single 1Tb drive.
Specs as follows:
| Model: | HP MediaSmart Server EX495 | HP MediaSmart Server EX490 |
| Price: | $699 | $549 |
| Processor: | Intel® Pentium® E5200 2.5 GHZ 64-bit Dual Core Processor | Intel® Celeron® 450 2.2 GHZ 64-bit Processor |
| Memory: | 2Gb | 2Gb |
| Storage: | 1 x SATA 7200 RPM 1.5TB | 1 x SATA 7200 RPM 1.0TB |
| USB Ports: | 4 | 4 |
| eSATA Ports: | 1 | 1 |
| Dimensions: | Width: 14cm (5.5″)Height: 25cm (9.8″) Depth: 23cm (base)-25cm (top) (9.2″-9.5”) | Width: 14cm (5.5″)Height: 25cm (9.8″) Depth: 23cm (base)-25cm (top) (9.2″-9.5”) |
| Weight: | 5.10 kg (11.0 lb.) | 5.10 kg (11.24 lb.) |
| Power Consumption: | Sleep: 1WIdle: 44W Active Load: 46W Extreme Load: 70W | Sleep: 1WIdle: 41W Active Load: 43W Extreme Load: 57W |
The Software
HP’s MediaSmart Server software has been updated to version 3.0 and arrives with a new, glossy user interface embedded into the Windows Home Server Console.
A new web interface also allows you to easily control your home server when accessing remotely:
From a features perspective, the HP MediaSmart Server software is broadly similar to the previous EX48x series. However Video Conversion controls have been improved and simplified allowing the user to select conversion settings by device.
The MediaSmart’s Media Collector has also been upgraded to allow automatic music, video and photos to be collected from PCs and now Apple Macs as well.
But it’s not all feature upgrades – dig deep into the EX49x series and you’ll see that the Amazon S3-powered Server Online Backup feature from the last generation MediaSmart Server has been removed. HP have told us this will be delivered through a new “Add Software” website linked from the MediaSmart Server’s Console.
New Apple Mac Features
Indeed, after winning Macworld’s Best of Show award this year, HP have significantly ramped up the MediaSmart Server’s support for Apple Macs running Leopard and Snow Leopard, including:
- Full OS Backup and Restore
- Automatic media collection includes Mac iPhoto, iTunes, and iMovie libraries on the Mac.
- Windows Home Server Connector for the Mac
The HP EX48x series provided basic data backup support for Macs via Time Machine backups stored on the MediaSmart Server. Now you can restore your Mac OS with a bare-metal recovery, using a prepared USB stick plugged into your Mac at start up.
Macs can now also access the Windows Home Server Console, courtesy of clever use of Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Client for Mac to allow full control of your home server from the Mac Desktop.
As previously revealed, existing HP MediaSmart owners will be able to upgrade their boxes to the latest 3.0 software release. HP have yet to announce a specific timeline for the release of the software, but last week confirmed that it would be this Fall.
Availability
The HP MediaSmart Server will be available to pre-order soon from the usual suspects on the USA and Europe. Stay tuned to WGS for more in-depth features on the EX495, and of course, our Hands-On review.
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