Maxtor's Shared Storage Plus NAS device reviewed

Reg Hardware seems to agree with our own astute pundit Ross Rubin that Maxtor's Shared Storage Plus Network Attached Storage device is a winner as a solid backup solution while doing double-duty as a capacious media server. Testing the 500GB version of the SSP, El Reg found the device easy to setup and share among several users, with software that provides a simple way to set up incremental backups, network printing, or media streaming to compatible uPnP devices. There do seem to be a few downsides here, most notably the irritating fan whine and skimpy one year warranty, and less importantly, the fact that it tags the icons of folders selected for backup with a little tick mark. If tick marks and fan noise don't bother you, though, the $465-as-tested SSP sounds like a pretty good way to backup data for small offices and homes with multiple computers, while giving you a little extra functionality to boot

[Gareth Burleigh @ May 9th 2006 7:15PM]

Chris Declerico just loves his Maxtor products

http://www.chrisdiclerico.com/2006/05/08/maxtor-extreme-frustration/

Was about to get an external Maxtor for my more than full Mac mini, now Im confused. Hatefull review followed by Good review.

[MARSHAK @ May 9th 2006 9:02PM]

WOO7 3RD POST!~

[Claudiu Spulber @ May 10th 2006 3:39AM]

They're using some in-house developed backup software, SimpleView. Too bad they didn't bundle it with Backup4all (http://www.backup4all.com)

[Berklee @ May 10th 2006 5:29AM]

More importantly, you can download new (open source) firmware for this device with added features, as it runs Linux. My drive now downloads files I queue automatically through BitTorrent using some shell scripting. It's a 10 watt/hour 300mhz 32mb computer with 500gb of storage. Unbelievable value!

[Matt @ May 10th 2006 6:20PM]

Still too slow for me. Im sticking with my Ximeta NetDisk. Twice as fast as this...

[JCC @ May 11th 2006 2:52PM]

I've had the 500GB for a month and LOVE it! I have 5 computers at home and all our important data and multimedia files are backed-up and stored here every night and those files are backed up a 2nd time online via Connected.com. That "little tick mark" can be removed as an option in the back up software. I guess the reviewer didn't see that.

[som cool guy somewhere in your neighborhood @ Jul 11th 2006 9:29PM]

I love it, but I can't for some reason get the speed up.. it takes me 10 minutes to transfer 700mb from my computer even though i have set my eth to 100mbit..
I'm going crazy!!