We’ve been waiting eagerly for more information on HP’s MediaSmart server, and to date, they’ve been pretty coy about releasing any - especially pricing! Good news, though, Amazon.com are today listing two HP MediaSmart Windows Home Server systems on their site, whilst elsewhere, pricing has been mistakenly published (and then pulled) on a couple of online retail sites - PC Mall and onSale.com. Best Buy also have some new information to share. I guess HP will be miffed.

So what do we know? There will be 500Gb and 1Tb variants, with the following US pricing:

500Gb HP MediaSmart EX470 (GG795AA#ABA) - $596 (£299)
1Tb HP MediaSmart EX475 (GG796AA#ABA) $745 (£374)

Both systems will be powered by a 64-bit (and therefore WHS v2 compatible) 1.8GHz AMD Sempron processor and come bundled with HP’s bundled Photo Webshare software, including direct links to Snapfish (HP’s Photo Printing partner). The 1Tb system appears to be configured as 2 x 500Gb hard disks, leaving 2 of the system’s 4 drive bays free for extra storage (as well as the 4 free external USB 2.0 ports). The EX470 is configured as 1 x 500Gb, with three free internal bays for future expansion. As you can see from the shot of the system’s rear below, it will be fully headless, with no monitor port.

Both systems are now listed at Amazon.com without pricing:

More info....

Microsoft, Windows Home Server, Hp, MediaSmart Server, MediaSmart EX470, MediaSmart EX475, Amazon.com, Server PC, Hardware