Windows Home Server launches hardware blitz for holidays
by Ryan Block 
posted Nov 5th 2007 at 12:00AM
Up to bat with new and "new" WHS hardware: Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway, Iomega, LaCie, Leo Computers, LifeWare, Maxdata, Medion, and Tranquil. Sure, some have already announced, but those named today will either be introducing new WHS gear in short order, or at least intend to in the next quarter. Also getting official and on sale today: Velocity Micro's NetMagix (previously VMHS). Expect it with a Core 2 Duo, 1GB of RAM, eSATA, gigabit Ethernet, front / rear USB, and up to 4TB of storage (starting at $1000 for 1TB).
P.S. -We're sure Microsoft would like us to remind you of the burgeoning WHS software add-on scene, with the dozens of apps now written for the platform. That's all well and good, but we'll worry about getting that hardware first, then take a look at that software.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sirocco @ Nov 5th 2007 12:08AM
Step 1. Dip my hands in cooking oil.
Step 2. Fondle the piano black finish like there was no tomorrow.
cullen d @ Nov 5th 2007 12:17AM
If you aren't a biased blog, and you say above, you mainly focus on hardware, not software, then why did you focus so much on leopard?
RedBull Runner @ Nov 5th 2007 12:20AM
because maybe they focused that much on vista when it came out?
cullen d @ Nov 5th 2007 12:22AM
Don't seem to remember that much about Vista. And why focus on the software part of Apple TV so much then?
Slaven @ Nov 5th 2007 12:25AM
Don't be silly, read the post - they said there is no point looking at the software until you can actually acquire hardware to run it on. I would tend to agree.
Ryan Block @ Nov 5th 2007 1:05AM
People like you are impossible to please. We totally had wall-to-wall blowout coverage of Vista. Same since Windows Home Server was announced. But you seem to think we've got some Apple bias, so who cares what we do -- your type is always going to whine. Why not just find another blog and save everyone the grief?
insertAlias @ Nov 5th 2007 1:22AM
Right on, Ryan. Right on. I am so tired of people bitching about this kind of stuff. Some people just live to bitch. We're all sick of the get "rid of apple, get rid of KIRF, get rid of [insert some product or series here]" crap. I don't see any bias.
Keep on doing what you're doing. Most of us like it (as you can see from the blog award votes). I like having all the news and choosing what I want to read, rather than complaining about the posts I'm not interested. Keep doing exactly what you are doing.
reticulate @ Nov 5th 2007 5:22AM
I'd tend to think Engadget's coverage of WHS has been both informative and largely positive. It looks like a good product that will fill a very profitable niche for Microsoft and hardware partners.
Let's not forget that we've only really had a lot of PR shots and feature lists so far. I'd expect the guys to give some time to a hands-on once they actually get a chance/get released from NDA's, etc.
Besides, the Leopard coverage wasn't exactly excessive.
Alex @ Nov 5th 2007 12:31AM
Where can i buy the HP MediaSmart Home Server - the article says its "is officially back and on sale" but it doesnt look like it? help
cullen d @ Nov 5th 2007 12:35AM
http://www.amazon.com/EX475-MediaSmart-Server-Sempron-Processor/dp/B000UXZUZC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0913002-3540731?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1194240831&sr=8-1
Ayle @ Nov 5th 2007 12:39AM
Wow the medion is sweet looking...
Russell @ Nov 5th 2007 12:46AM
Yeah, the medion is pretty sweet.
I've been looking at NAS appliances for the home ever since I got away from a full blown SBS server at home... Currently all my drives and a 12 port raid card are in my main workstation which is getting out of date.
Looking to replace the monster tower with an XPS 720 type system instead of a homebuild and then offload all the storage to something like this.
Would also be great to get the media drive out of the media center and then put in an SSD for the OS. It's already completely fanless, no HDD would be great.
DAZA @ Nov 5th 2007 2:15AM
Impressive. WHS is getting a fairly positive response from all.. I don't think I need it at the moment (or for another few years) but it's good know if I need to, WHS exists.
Pc_Madness @ Nov 5th 2007 7:53AM
Does anyone know if these computers come with VGA/DVI out out? I need another media center comp... run MediaPortal on this thing... hmm!!!
I'm guessing none of these will be available down under for quite a while. :(
sman @ Nov 5th 2007 12:42PM
I don't see VGA/DVI ports on the HP version (at least in the pictures and specs currently provided), but some of the other products may have it. WHS is designed to run headless, but that doesn't mean other manufacturers will not offer VGA/DVI.
Pc_Madness @ Nov 5th 2007 6:12PM
Yeah, thats what I was worried about. :( I spose I could always install a PCI card, just have to wonder if MS has done something funny there to prevent it.
bob e @ Nov 5th 2007 8:35AM
I like the Max Data whitey myself.
Reminds me of HAL
I may just have to buy one...
Raymond @ Nov 5th 2007 8:56AM
Hmm... seems there's more buzz around Windows Home Server than there ever was about Vista. Something is definitely wrong in Redmond.
bradwarren @ Nov 5th 2007 4:36PM
All I want for Christmas is a Windows Home Server......Wait no.
SteveA @ Nov 5th 2007 10:08AM
Why are you guys saying you need the hardware to run WHS first? The retail version Windows Home Server software has been available on Newegg for several months now, and I'm sure as you guys know, it'll run on just about *any* spare hardware you have sitting around that isn't over 6 years old. Why does nearly every story on your site involving Microsoft have to have some sort of negative spin?
sman @ Nov 5th 2007 12:33PM
Give me a break. There is no negative spin with regard to MS in this post. In fact, everything I have read about WHS has been pretty positive (minus the delays at HP which was supposed to be one of the first products available). If you read the other articles, including Microsoft's own web site, this product is intended to ship with hardware to take advantage of all features. Just because you can buy the OEM (not retail) version of WHS does not mean it is official.
Denver_80203 @ Nov 5th 2007 10:12AM
I'll wait for a networkable drobo
pjg @ Nov 5th 2007 12:13PM
Apple better update the Mac Mini soon to compete. I want to finally get around to starting a livingroom media center soon and these look great. But I'd rather stick with Macs from now on. I had four Shuttle mini PC's in the past and they ran so hot and didn't last that long. I wonder if the same thing happens with the Mac Mini (as far as heat) but I haven't heard much complaints about it in searching (unless Apple erased those from discussions). Just purchased an HD projector to start...
Jnetty @ Nov 5th 2007 12:22PM
Are there any low version WHS machines coming out? $700, $1000 for WHS machines ouch. I wish there was a $200-300 model and you add your hard drives.
RC @ Nov 5th 2007 1:52PM
I would think some WHS-centric cases might be released, and that would probably be your most likely place to get one without drives. After all, these people are selling complete solutions, so they're all designed for this, and have at least one drive and the OS loaded and ready to go.
I think if someone puts out a tutorial for putting together the best DIY hardware, that it might get a lot more people choosing this option than would otherwise because of cost and/or inexperience building their own systems.
Jnetty @ Nov 5th 2007 11:51PM
I been playing with WHS on a virtual machine. I just wish I could find a solution without or with a hard drive for around $300. Its $180 for the OS alone on Newegg, leaving only about $120 to make or buy a used PC that meets the minimum hardware requirements of 1.5 processor, 512 ram and 60 gigs of space.