So I have been looking at the HP MediaSmart Home Server ex485 for awhile. I know, if I was a real man, I would build a home grown home server out of dirt, sticks, and an old hoover vacuum cleaner.

Last night while watching Monday night football, I was poking around NewEgg and saw a special for the HP ex485 server with two 750 GB hard drives for $449 (expandable to 7 TB). Thinking this was a good deal, I threw down my Diner's Club card and bought it. Excited about my new purchase I looked on a website www.wegotserved.com to read up on how to initially set it up.

And as if the universe is conspiring against me for it own entertainment....

http://www.wegotserved.com/2009/09/15/its-the-hp-ex490495-mediasmart-server-press-release-and-data-sheet/

HP announces it is releasing an ex490 & ex495. Damn, Damn, Double Damn!

[This message has been edited by Noble Men (edited 9/15/2009 11:42a).]

If the order hasn't shipped or processed yet, you can still cancel probably.

or refuse shipment

The HP MediaSmart Server EX490 with 1 TB of hard disk storage will start at $549, while the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 with 1.5 TB of storage will sell for somewhere in the vicinity of $699, both of these MediaSmart products being available for pre-order as we speak.

Processors:
o EX495: Intel® Pentium® Dual Core
o EX490: Intel Celeron®; Two gigabytes (GB) of DRAM
• Expandability: additional drives can be added for up to 7 terabytes (TB)
internal storage and 17 TB of storage using internal and external drives.(6)

Id go with the 495... I have an acer easystore and really like mine but when its replicating (which is not very often) data it does slow down some... I imagine the dual core processor will help with that.

Does anyone on here have a Windows Home Server?

How difficult was it to get set up?

Do any of you use it to stream video? If so what do you use as a media extender (xbox 360, PS3, Linksys, HTPC, or something else?)

If you are streaming video are you doing it wireless or through the LAN?

And last question do any of you guys have an old Xbox that you have modded and loaded with XBMC? If so how does it work for you as a media extender?

Thanks guys for any assistance