HP MediaSmart Server LX195 lights up in leaked images

Not even two weeks have passed since we first spotted HP's 640GB MediaSmart Server LX195 in boxed form, care of Mr. Blurrycam, and now we've got what appears to be a couple of official press photos. Stylish aesthetics aside, it's sporting four USBs, an ethernet port, and DC input for a power brick. What we're not seeing is any way to swap out or add storage, so it looks like that "single drive server" speculation might be on the money. Speaking of which, the company still hasn't made this official, and as such, there's no word on pricing or availability.

[Via MediaSmartServer.net]

[superhobo Posted Apr 13th 2009 1:52PM]

I think I see a couple of screws that could be used to...gasp...OPEN the server!!!

[Oli D Posted Apr 13th 2009 2:17PM]

Im thinking sweet Mini ITX mod...

[profets Posted Apr 13th 2009 2:03PM]

interesting i guess... looks more like a NAS with mediasmart capability?

[Silent K Posted Apr 13th 2009 3:20PM]

I think you're right!

Too bad there aren't any USB host connections to make this product to double as a NAS and external USB storage.

[holycow Posted Apr 13th 2009 2:10PM]

For a second i thought one of the USB slots was an HDMI out and got all excited!

[Oli D Posted Apr 13th 2009 2:14PM]

One drive server...?

That's like a one ho brothel.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 2:18PM]

dc input? really?

[pika2000 Posted Apr 13th 2009 2:24PM]

A "server" without redundancy? Not a good idea.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 2:48PM]

Exactly... I can't believe that there wold be a Media Smart server without redundancy. I really hope that this at least has a 2 drives inside it.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 2:49PM]

IMO, I think this is supposed to compete with the Time Capsule in a less-integrated fashion.

must i say, lower price point too.

And anybody who would buy this only sees the words Storage and Network, they really don't want anything huge.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 3:52PM]

I'm running a home built WHS right now, and the only thing preventing me from picking up an HP485 is that I want to use my own case. If this thing has SATA ports on the board, but not exposed on the back panel maybe this is what I should pick up and just transplant.

I've gotta commend HP here for driving innovation on WHS.

[yakuza Posted Apr 13th 2009 3:54PM]

Duplication in Windows Home Server can be achieved by USB drive, with 4 ports this would be a low-cost entry with the ability to provide duplication and expanded storage via external drive. Not ideal for many users, but a way to enter a lower price point market.

[Coffee Posted Apr 13th 2009 5:06PM]

exactly - easier for consumers to buy a 500gb or 1tb external usb drive, plug it in and get more storage. Kind of the whole point to the Home Server storage cloud.

[tservo24 Posted Apr 13th 2009 4:46PM]

Connect a Drobo by USB. Just use the WHS for media serving and the Drobo for safe, expandable storage.

[TRAFFICBLOWS Posted Apr 13th 2009 7:40PM]

hmm, the single drive server would have made a lot more sense in the first 8 months of whs's life when we lived in fear of duplication

[markgm Posted Apr 13th 2009 10:07PM]

Maybe there's two 320 2.5" drives in the thing.

[edude05 Posted Apr 14th 2009 10:19AM]

The only reason I am (was?) considering the Homeserver over the time capsule is the ability to have multiple drives, if this doesn't have it either A) I'll get the old one, B) I'll roll my own C)I'll get the time capsule.

Does anyone know if the old one has any sort of expansion other than USB? I'd be nice to throw in a 802.11n card and make this a router.