HP MediaSmart EX485 w/ Intel Celeron 2.0GHz, 2GB DDR2, Pre-Installed 750GB HDD + Seagate 1TB HDD $385 OR Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB HDD $390 + Free Shipping *PRICE DROP*

[brisar]

Newegg has a couple of HP Mediasmart EX485 + Hard Drive combos available with free shipping. Thanks yuugotserved

• HP MediaSmart EX485 Intel Celeron 2.0 Ghz 2GB DDR2 750GB HDD + 1TB Seagate Barracuda LP Internal Hard Drive for $405 - $20 with code SERVER1135 = $385 with free shipping. Click Here to add the combo directly to cart
  • Next lowest on Google Products for the HP MediaSmart EX485 is $461 shipped and for the 1TB Seagate Hard Drive is $88 shipped = $549 if purchased separately.

• HP MediaSmart EX485 Intel Celeron 2.0 Ghz 2GB DDR2 750GB HDD + 1TB WD Caviar Green Internal Hard Drive for $410 - $20 with code SERVER1135 = $390 with free shipping. Click Here to add the combo directly to cart
  • Next lowest on Google Products for the HP MediaSmart EX485 is $461 shipped and for the WD10EADS Hard Drive is $85 shipped = $546 if purchased separately

[gadgetgizmo]

HOLLY SMOKE!

iN fOR aNOTHER WD combo!

yuugotserved: where you find these deals?

[SPLSinsider]

delete

[ShengD]

Wow. These deals are getting unbelievable. Nice find.

[slickdealjunkie]

AHHHH Must Resist........

Front Page soon.......

[crakarjax]

Isn't that processor crappy?

[ShengD]

Quote from crakarjax : Isn't that processor crappy?

For a desktop, yes. For this media server, it is more than enough. Many other servers run on an Intel Atom or less.

[Jons]

Why would someone want this instead of simply using their older machine? If they did not have an older machine already they could justify buying a fast new computer to use for their desktop machine and then run their older desktop just like this one? Am I missing something here?

[gizmokahkah]

A newegg reviewer mentions that it's not suggested to use a "green" drive in the Mediasmart EX485:

Quote : Other Thoughts: Before you buy the EX485 just beware that there is a firmware problem with the hard drives in these units the 750GB Seagate drives that HP has used do have a firmware bug! Also be aware that green power drives are not recommended to be used in these servers and they also say Spinpoint drives have had problems as well as RE3 drives and any drives specifically used for a RAID setup! HP recommends using a non power saving SATA model not specifically designed for a RAID setup! If you have any questions call HP Tech support they will confirm this information. I find it a shame HP shipped these servers knowing there were firmware issues, this could be such a great product, but it has been marginalized by using Seagate drives. I understand that HP has a contract with Seagate and they are going to stick with them, bad move especially since a lot customers are not buying in this market environment! BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE

[joogle]

almost as good as the HP EPP deal last week where the server was for $296 + tax from what I recall.

[akgem1]

Quote from gizmokahkah : A newegg reviewer mentions that it's not suggested to use a "green" drive in the Mediasmart EX485:

Don't know about the EX485, but I used green drives in my old EX470 and currently using green drives in my EX490 and never had any problems.

[TakeMeOrLeaveMe]

Based solely upon reading that user review, seems like the problem would only apply to those who want to implement RAID, which isn't a primary design use for these models, anyway.

These HP MediaSmart servers have a simpler and more flexible method of backup; basically, the HP/WHS software will copy backups across your assortment of installed HDs all on it's own (though you can turn that feature off/on). When a drive dies and you insert a new one, the MediaSmart will duplicate all files that you need copied over from the other drives back on to the new drive. That's my understanding, at least..

[ShengD]

As for the faulty Seagate drives, that firmware issue was resolved in February, so I doubt any of the affected drives are still being used.

Quote from Jons : Why would someone want this instead of simply using their older machine? If they did not have an older machine already they could justify buying a fast new computer to use for their desktop machine and then run their older desktop just like this one? Am I missing something here?

It is perfectly possible to do what you suggest, but the issue is convenience. This device is designed to do what it does very well. Drives are easliy accessible, and the footprint is small and low-power. Keep in mind if you do use a desktop instead, you will have to purchase the Windows Home Server software to replace your current version of Windows for ~$100.