HP MediaSmart EX470, Windows Home Server w/ AMD Sempron 1.8GHz 512MB DDR2 500GB SATA HDD installed (three open bay), 4 USB & 1 eSATA expansion ports

Pros: Good server for the money. Works like a champ. I would not pay full price for this, refurbished price is about right.

Cons: I am not sure who refurbishes these items, newegg or HP but whoever did mine was pretty lazy. It still had someones password and info on it. I had to reformat it, took about an hour. If you are not tech savy it would have been a pain. Really lazy on someones part.

Other Thoughts: Runs quiet and WHS is a good product in my opinion. HP gets lazy on updating software for older servers. The iphone app should work on this but HP is too lazy to add support.

Pros: This is an excellent device for backing up your PCs. PC Restore is quick and painless. On average about 40 mins to restore a PC longer if you perfor a full format of the hard drive. Expandability is simple. Cost is of ownership is a plus.

If you just want a backup device this is for you just set it and forget it and it will handle all your backup needs.

If need a central storage location this is way better then any NAS and cheaper too.

Supports 2 GB Drives, the eSATA Port supports a 4 bay eSATA Port Multiplier Enclosure like the RSV4 or TRM4 also sold on this site.

With 4 USB Ports you can connect upto 4 8 Bay USB Storage Devices so your storage capacity can grow or you can connect other USB Devices like external DVD drives and such.

Its just a wonderful unit and although Recertified the cost is significantly less then a New MSS although I read the waranty on this unit is 90 days.

Cons: Its headless but there are cables available to correct it however adding VGA to your server will void your waranty. During the Waranty Period you can install a USB-VGA connector but will have to disable the default display drivers then install the usb-vga display driver but then you will only see the display after the EX470 had booted

Other Thoughts: I recommend you install 2 GB of RAM to boost the performance. Some change the processor but I would just leave the stock processor on the motherboard. Keep it simple and it will bless you for a long time.

Pros: - Easy to upgrade (2GB is definitely recommended)
- Extremely fast data transfers compared to most home NAS devices
- Very simple for those who need simple, very hackable for those who find simple too boring
- Lot's of great add-ins that make this a fairly robust home server (for such a small package anyway)

Cons: ***** This only has a 90-day warranty *****

The first thing I always do whenever I purchase a refurbished/reconditioned product is check the warranty to make sure everything is kosher. Guess what? Even though the description of the product says it has a one-year warranty:

"Like its award-winning HP customer service and 1-year warranty, the EX-470 offers peace of mind. "

... it does not. After talking with NewEgg, then HP and then NewEgg again it seems that they left that statement in there even though it is incorrect. It only has a 90-day warranty from HP. NewEgg's "solution" was to have me send it back for a refund after having migrated over 2TB of data to it. All I want is for them to take that line out of the listing, but so far no change. I hope someone over there reads these comments.

Oh, and you cannot configure this system AT ALL without a 32-bit Windows system. Luckily, my HTPC runs Win7 32-bit or I would have been out of luck.

Other Thoughts: Please NewEgg, get rid of the 1-year warranty bit in the description or give us the warranty. One or the other...

Pros: A lot of features in a small package at an outstanding price. I've had laptop hard drives kicking the bucket on what seems to be unusual regularity. Having backups with easy recovery is a life saver.

Cons: 512MB RAM really isn't enough. I'll be upgrading the memory in the next week.

Other Thoughts: My unit had a previously set password when I received it. I had to use the server recovery disc to wipe out the configuration and return it to factory defaults. It added about 45 minutes to my setup, but wasn't the end of the world.

Pros: Very small form factor, great price, great UI, keeps cool, near silent, great storage expansion. I use this as a media server at home and obviously as a storage spot to back up all important docs and pics in the home, and it suits my needs perfectly.

Cons: None so far

Other Thoughts: On many web sites I've read about receiving these DOA, or getting clicking in the drives, but I've had no problem. Sure, electronics can fail, but that's all electronics, so take a chance, it's a great machine and Newegg has an awesome price going on. Also, lot's of comments around the web about people upgrading, I have this stock and can stream bluray 26 Gb+ 1080p rips from this to my PS3

Pros: Bought this over a year ago (non-refurb) with a combo deal (free Linksys router). No hiccups so far. Automatic back-up - built in Ghz network card, e-sata and USB 2.0. Small quiet and takes up little space. This server has allowed me to restore my computers at home under 15 minutes after I was infected by worms, and viruses. Backs up all my photo's/video/music as well. With WHS software updates can now backup data stored in file shares on the server. Future powerpack from MSFT will allow image based backup of Win7 machines.

Cons: No video output. Must be connected to the network and remotely accessed. No DVD drive - so rebuilding if necessary can be a hassle. If flexibility is needed - may want to consider building your own.

Other Thoughts: Lots of sites out there providing information on upgrading the CPU and RAM (2GB limit) in this unit making it much faster and useful as a media vault.

Pros: Seems like a great unit. Looks nice, drive installation is a breeze, WHS was(is) a needed addition to my home network.

Cons: Mine was defective. Wouldn't recognize the new drive I installed in any of the available bays. Tried it(WD Caviar Green 1TB) in another system and the disc is fine. Tried it in the first drive bay in place of the original and still no go. HP said there are known no issues with this drive, but I should try another kind as it's not being recognized. Sorry, I want 100% from a server and mine clearly had a bug that needed to be worked out so I am returning it.

Other Thoughts: Newegg is the best. Waived restocking and return shipping fees! Love the egg.