Acer's new home server is a compelling value, even if it doesn't have as many features as HP's MediaSmart line.
Introduction
U.S. consumers have been limited to two choices when it comes to deploying a Windows Home Server machine: They could roll their own (from scratch or by repurposing an existing computer) or they could buy one of HP’s MediaSmart models. Now there’s a compelling third choice on the market: Acer’s Aspire easyStore H340.
The server is housed in an attractive cube-shaped enclosure measuring 7.9 inches wide by 7.1 inches deep by 8.3 inches high. A large power button, several blue LEDs, and a USB port protrude from the left corner, with four blue drive-bay LEDs on the right.
The front door swings open to expose four hot-swappable 3.5-inch drive bays, the bottom of which is occupied by a 1TB SATA hard drive. Drives can be added or removed without ever having to power down the server; you just pull out a tray, attach the drive, and slide it back into the bay. There are four additional USB ports in the back, along with one eSATA port and a gigabit LAN interface. You can back up the entire server by plugging a portable hard drive into the front USB port and touching one button.
by paulfweeks on November 7, 2009:
“Have had this about two weeks. I like the multi-drive bay plus the ability to connect external USB/hard drives for both additional storage pool assets and separable (3rd line off site backups) storage. It only uses about 45 watts, reduces to about 20 watts...” More...