Summary

Just in time for the holiday season, HPDirect.com is running a special for the HP Pavilion dv6t, a customizable entertainment notebook. The dv6t is perfect for the media lover in on your shopping list- it has a stunning 16 inch screen, an appropriate graphics card, and the new Windows 7 operating system. Though of some the savings involve discounts on upgrades, this a good opportunity to get the notebook for an affordable price.

Promotion Details

The base configuration of the HP Pavilion dv6t cost $649.99, a more than reasonable price, considering the features thrown in. This week-long promotion, ending on December 26th, doubles the computer RAM from 2GB to 4GB, and increases your hard drive size from 250GB to a 320GB. Best of all, the price includes an instant $150 rebate and your order ships free! If you’re looking for upgrades, you can save $100 on memory if you choose to boost performance by selecting 6GB or 8GB of RAM.

Further Reading

The HP Mini 311 addresses one the main issues people have with netbooks: screen size. The netbooks offers a larger screen than the one on the HP Mini 110; the display measures 11.6″ and enables the machine to play HD content, but allows the machine to be light and small enough to carry around anywhere. The HP Mini 311 is powered by appropriate hardware- an Atom processor, 1GB of memory, and a 160GB hard drive. However, if you’d like to turn your computer into the ultimate lightweight portable machine, you may want to read about the different types of models available and learn about the various upgrades you can add!

HP Mini 311 Product Demo Video

HP Mini 311 Price and Configuration

The base configuration of the HP 311 provides a powerful netbook, powered by the familiar Windows XP operating and appropriate hardware. It sells for a very affordable $399.99 through HPDirect.com making it a great gift for the holiday season. Its full specifications include:

• Genuine Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3
• Intel Atom Processor N270 (Speed of 1.60GHz)
• 1GB System Memory
• 160GB Hard Drive
• NVIDIA ION with a 5-in-1 Digital Media slot
• 11.6″ diagonal HD LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1366 x 768)
• HP Mini Webcam
• Wireless-G Card
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
• Intel Atom Processor N280 (Speed of 1.66GHz)
• 2GB System Memory
• 250GB Hard Drive
• NVIDIA ION with a 5-in-1 Digital Media slot
• 11.6″ diagonal HD LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1366 x 768)
• HP Mini Webcam
• Wireless-G Card with Bluetooth
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Upgrades to Consider: If you’re looking to own the ultimate netbook, you could upgrade the computer’s memory to 3GB for even faster performance. You could also increase your hard drive size up to 320GB for extra storing capacity or consider an innovative 80GB SSD drive.

HP Mini 311 Reviews

cnet.com gives the Mini 311 a rating of “Excellent” and praises the netbook’s NVIDIA graphics card.

LaptopMag.com awards the device an Editor’s Choice award for its impressive performance and specifications which don’t sacrifice battery life.

Notebooks.com has a nice review round up capturing the positive attention the netbook produced!

HP Mini 311 Design

The HP Mini 311’s design make the netbook a pleasure to look at and carry around with you. It’s extremely portable and weighs less than 3.5 pounds. The computer is built out of durable and lightweight material.

The netbook is available in one of two colors Black or White Swirl, both of which decorate the back with an attractive pattern. Also a webcam is embedded at the top of the screen, allowing for easy online video communication.

HP Mini 311 Connectivity

Getting online with the HP Mini 311 is extremely easy. Any configuration of the netbook includes a wireless card which will make accessing your home network or other wireless networks very simple. The Mini 311 is also equipped with an ethernet jack if you’re looking for a faster online connection. The recommended model comes with a Bluetooth wireless card which lets you connect Bluetooth enabled devices, such as cell phones and advanced headsets, to your notebook with out a wire!

The Mini 311 has 3 USB ports for fast data transfer or connecting your extra gadgets. A 5-in-1 slot lets you insert SD cards and other flash memory from cameras or mp3 players into your netbook. You also get VGA and HDMI ports in case you wanted to connect your computer to an external display.

The HP Pavilion dv7t is a refreshing notebook designed with your entertainment needs in mind. The laptop is has a high definition 17.3 inch screen and is well-equipped for all types of users. Powered by the newest operating system from Microsoft, Windows 7, the dv7t makes your computer experience hassle-free. The stylish design, combined with the spacious hardware and generous memory, make it the perfect notebook to upgrade to.

If you’re looking for ultimate media center, you could opt to purchase a model with top of the line components, including a BlueRay optical drive, a hard drive with extra storage capacity, and increased memory. Keep reading to learn about the differences between the models available for sale.

HP Pavilion dv7t Product Demo Video

HP Pavilion dv7t Pricing and Configuration

Prices for the HP Pavilion dv7t can start at as low as $799.99, if you purchase from the manufacturer via HPDirect.com. The base model sold is great for beginner and novice computer users- its hardware is perfect for Internet browsing, watching media files, and running most applications. The specification of the model include:

• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for a simple to use operating system
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6600 (Speed of 2.2GHz)
• 2GB of RAM to help ensure fast performance
• 250GB hard drive with plenty of space for storing files and downloading applications
• 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4530 card for enhanced graphics capabilities
• Webcam for easy online video chats
• CD/DVD Burner for creating home movies and audio discs

The basic configuration of the notebook is great for most families and comes at an affordable price. If you want to turn your dv7t into the ultimate media hub, you may want to consider HP’s recommended configuration of the machine, priced at $1,247.99. Though the price jump is significant, you’ll be getting a much better equipped computer with:

• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for a simple to use operating system
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6600 (Speed of 2.2GHz)
• 4GB of RAM to help ensure speedy performance on even the most complicated tasks
• 500GB hard drive for double the storing capacity of the previous model
• 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4530 card for enhanced graphics capabilities
• Webcam for easy online video chats
• BlueRay Reader and CD/DVD Burner for watching BluRay movies and getting the highest resolution available and making home movies/songs
• Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 for increased productivity with invaluable business and school oriented applications for creating PowerPoint presentations, word processing, etc.

Additional upgrades you can add on to either model which will improve performance overall are:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9900 (Speed of 3.06 GHz): A good rule of thumb is that the higher the speed of a notebook’s processor, the better the notebook is. If you’ll be running resource-heavy applications (such as Adobe Photoshop) or playing online games, you may want to upgrade to a faster processor. The T9900 is a little pricey, so feel free to choose a more affordable one that fits your needs.
• 8GB of RAM: More memory means speedier performance, so consider increasing the amount in your dv7t computer, especially if you’ll be using it for running many programs at the same time.

HP Pavilion dv7t Reviews

PCMag.com’s editors give it 4 out of 5 stars and write: “ The HP Pavilion dv7t… is a fantastic yet affordable big-screen media center”

PCWorld is critical of certain lacking multimedia components but appreciates the notebook’s speed

HP Pavilion dv7t Design

The dv7t has a gorgeous 17.3″ increase which makes it the perfect machine to watch movies on. The screen resolution allows for full HD picture, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy BluRay movies exactly how they were intended to be seen!

Though the notebook is rather heavy (7.74 lbs), it has a minimalistic design and is relatively portable for a computer with such a large screen. You can choose from two colors for your model.

HP Pavilion dv7t Connectivity

The dv7t is fully ready to connect you to the Internet when you get it out of the box. On top of an integrated ethernet port, a Wireless card is also built-in, allowing you to easily connect to your home network, no matter whether you have a Wifi Access spot or a broadband connection to plug in. If you’re still running on dial-up, you can add a modem port to the notebook for a small fee.

With its 4 USB drives, the dv7t won’t have any issues connecting to your camera, printer, and portable media player at the same time, and will still have a free slot for a flash drive. You’ll also be able to easily transfer files from your cell phone or other flash memory card device because of the 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader!

Save desk space and get rid of clutter- connect all your computer accessories to your notebook through a simple device, the HP Notebook QuickDock. You can connect your extra gadgets and Internet cables to the QuickDock and then use a single wire to connect it to your laptop. Your notebook will have access to all your extra peripherals without being directly connected to them!

Features

You can use the HP Notebook QuickDock for a variety of tasks. It provides easy access to your printers, mp3 players, digital cameras and other USB powered products. On top of using it to connect all your computer accessories, you can also use the QuickDock to recharge your machine’s battery or connect to the Internet through the built-in ethernet port. You can even use the QuickDock to attach another monitor to your notebook and project or split your display!

Price

The HP Notebook QuickDock is available for just $129.99 from HPDirect.com.

Design

The HP Notebook QuickDock has a sleek and simple design. It is built in a compact form to take up a minimal amount of space on your desk.

The dock has ports on several sides to make sure you’ll always be able to connect your devices easily. Four of the USB ports are located in the back while two are on the side.

Compatibility

The HP Notebook QuickDock is compatible with most HP laptops, including the HP Pavilion dv4, dv5, dv6, dv7, dv2000, dv6000, dv9000, tx2, tx1000, tx2000 series; HP HDX 16, 18 series; Compaq Presario CQ45, V3000, V6000 series.

If you wanted to buy a small portable laptop equipped with powerful hardware and a quality display, you may initially think it would be impossible to find a computer to match your needs. Luckily, you’d be mistaken- HP has the perfect machine for you! The HP Pavilion dv4t notebook is a 14.1 inch mobile machine with a high quality display, perfect for viewing TV shows, looking at photos and watching movies, and an impressive set of hardware supporting it.

The notebook comes equipped with a graphics card to help optimize your visual experience, a speedy processor for fast and responsive performance, and new Windows 7 Premium 64-bit edition, the latest and greatest operating system from Microsoft! The dv4t is offered in two beautiful colors: Moonlight White or Espresso Black.

HP Pavilion dv4t Product Demo Video

HP Pavilion dv4t Pricing and Configuration

HPDirect.com is currently selling the entry-level base Pavilion dv4t for just $579.99. This setup is great for novice and beginner users and offers the following features:

• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
• Intel Pentium Processor T4300 (Speed of 2.1 GHz) with an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M for a better experience with videos
• RAM: 2GB of System Memory
• 250GB Hard Drive
• Wireless-G Card for Wifi Support

HP’s recommended configuration of the Pavilion dv4t costs $973.99. It offers a much more powerful hardware set-up, geared towards advanced users. The recommended configuration has a dual core processor for a smoother experience, a significant system memory upgrade for faster response time and double the  hard drive space for storing all your multimedia and other computer files. The specifications include:

• Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8700 (Speed of 2.53 GHz) with Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M
• RAM: Upgrade to 4GB memory from 2GB of memory
• 500GB hard drive

Upgrades to Consider: The recommended configuration is perfect for even the expert users, however, if you’re looking for the ultimate experience with the dv4t, you should consider these extras:

• Blu-Ray Optical Drive : This upgrade will allow you to seamlessly watch high definition Blu-Ray discs on your computer. You’ll also be able to play regular DVDs and create your own home videos.
• Microsoft Office Professional 2007: Microsoft Office is the perfect software to increase productivity and comes with everything you’ll need to be productive when away from work!

HP Pavilion dv4t Reviews

NotebookReviews.com say “the HP Pavilion dv4t works well as a media hub for a home theater, as well as a mobile workhorse for lugging to school or traveling.”

A review from DigitGeek.com gives it a 4 out of 5 rating and calls it “a nice notebook offering nice specs at an affordable price.”

Design

The HP Pavilion dv4t has a simple sleek design that’s appealing to most users. The area surrounding the keyboard is coated with an attractive chrome finish.

The back of the machine is a plain solid color and made out of a durable plastic material.

Connectivity

The Pavilion dv4t comes with a standard Wireless G card for connecting to Wifi Networks and easy Internet access. If you need extended range and extra networking power, you can upgrade to an Intel Next-Gen Wireless N card, which will increase your networking speed and range up to 5 times! Bluetooth is also an option if you wanted to wirelessly synchronize your phone or to use a Bluetooth headset. You’ll also be able to get online using a wired connection with the integrated ethernet port.

The HP Pavilion DV4T has all the ports you need and want. Included are a 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for easy transfer of data from memory cards, 3 USB ports for hooking up all your extra gadgets, and VGA out and HDMI ports for connecting to larger monitors or HDTVs.

The HP w2338h is perfect for users who want a bigger, better and sharper monitor to go with their computer. The HP w2338h comes with support for 16:9 full high definition widescreen to improve your movie-watching experience. The screen itself is an impressive 23 inches, making for a stunning visual experience.

Features

With the HP w2338h 23-inch Diagonal 16:9 Full HD Widescreen Monitor, you get:

• Full high definition with a 1920 x 1080p display maximum resolution
• Several QuickView modes which let you optimize the display for watching movies, viewing photos or playing games
• Full benefit of a 5 ms response time which drastically helps reduce blur during sports, games and action movies
• Full compatibility with other monitors through VGA and HDMI (including HDCP) connections
• Reduced clutter by using a single cable for digital video and audio

Price

The HP w2338h 23-inch Diagonal 16:9 Full HD Widescreen Monitor is available for just $259.99 after an instant $40 rebate from HPDirect.com.

Reviews

CNET.com: “In view of its relatively inexpensive price, this monitor has great features for the money…”

A review on electronicsme.com summarizes “the HP W2338H is great for the HD computer user.”

Compatibility

The HP w2338h 23-inch Diagonal 16:9 Full HD Widescreen Monitor is compatible with all HP laptops, netbooks and desktops and provides a clear picture of movies, photos and anything else you put up.

The HP HDX 16T has everything you’ll need in a notebook. The titanium design, ultrawide 1080p display and 16:9 ratio, customizable home theater quality features and an optional TV tuner card make this laptop a top contender for your desktop replacing machine. This laptop is specifically designed for users who love high definition graphics and is sure please with its stunning full HD resolution.

It also can be equipped with a Blu-Ray drive and an advanced graphics card, guaranteeing you get the ultimate multimedia experience.

HP HDX 16T Product Demo Video

HP HDX 16t Premium Pricing and Configuration

The notebook is no longer available from HPDirect.com but can purchased from other online retailers. If you’re looking for the next generation replacement for the HP HDX 16t, check out the comparable HP Pavilion dv6t. The HP HDX16t’s basic configuration packs a lot of useful hardware into the machine and includes the full HD 1080p 16 inch screen along with:

• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6600 (Speed of 2.2GHz)
• 3GB System Memory
• 250GB Hard Drive

You may find the HP HDX16t Premium on sale for around $1,442.99 at some retailers. Usually this is a more advanced configuration of the notebook, with better specifications. The entry-level configuration is fine for most people, but advanced users will appreciate the additional features and will see a significant increase in performance from a memory upgrade, a more energy efficient processor, and other features including:

• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7450 (Speed of 2.13GHz)
• Upgrade to 4GB System Memory from 3GB System Memory
• 500GB Hard Drive

Upgrades to Consider: Here a few additional upgrades that media lovers will appreciate and which will help you to keep your data and private information safe and secure:

• Blu-Ray +/-R/RW Drive: Movie lovers will go wild for a Blu-Ray optical which both reads and writes Blu-Ray discs. Unfortunately, it comes withe $300 price tag and for that reason, is only recommended for power users.
• Fingerprint Reader: Add an additional layer of security to the machine with a fingerprint identification system to keep your documents and your laptop safe from unwanted intruders.

HP HDX 16T Reviews

PCMag.com rates the laptop an impressive 4.5 out 5 stars.

A reviewer at NotebookReviews.com really appreciates the full HD 16 inch screen.

Design

The HDX16t is a sturdy machine made out of durable plastic material and designed in a fashionable style.

The laptop’s back is covered with an artistic pattern and the screen is well protected with a sheet of “Infinity Glass.”

Connectivity

The HP HDX16t comes with built-in Wi-Fi support allowing you to connect to the Internet where ever Wireless networks are available. Users with Bluetooth accessories such as Bluetooth headsets and phones may want to opt for a Wireless card which supports Bluetooth connectivity to be able to use their devices with the notebook.

The laptop is built with 4 USB ports to make connecting your printers, mp3 players, and other devices a breeze. There are HDMI and FireWire ports to allow you to connect your machine to an external display, such as an HDTV, and perform high-speed data transfers. A 5-in-one Digital Media Reader is also included so you can easily move pictures from your camera’s flash memory card to your HDX16t. The notebook is also equipped with a integrated webcam for easy online video chat.

The HP TouchSmart IQ500t is an all-in-one PC that features a 22″ touchscreen display and is an intuitive and powerful solution for your computing needs. Starting at $899.99, the TouchSmart IQ500t is a stylish PC that can be used in just about any room. There’s only one cord which powers the machine- once you plug it in, you’ll be all set to go! The speakers and webcam are integrated in the computer, while its mouse and keyboard connect wirelessly.

The IQ500t can be used to browse the Internet, run applications, navigate through pages, resize, move, delete, or even draw. Best of all, you’re not just confined to your mouse; you can use control the machine by taping, sliding or stroking your fingertips across its touchscreen!

HP TouchSmart IQ500t Product Demo Video

HP TouchSmart IQ500t Pricing and Configurations

Selling at $899.99 via HPDirect.com, the entry level IQ500t has plenty of power and enough features to keep the entire family entertained. It’s packed with high quality components which make it a great computer for home users. The IQ500t includes a mouse and keyboard, integrated speakers, and has the following specs:

• Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
• Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 (Speed of 2.0GHz)
• 4GB System Memory: Combined with the 64bit operating system, the IQ500t makes sure you get the best speed possible from your memory.
• 320GB Hard Drive: The drive is large enough to story a huge collection of multimedia files and documents.
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Slot-load SuperMulti DVD Burner: You can use the optical drive to create CDs and DVDs, as well as play them on your machine.

The base configuration looks pretty similar to HP’s recommended configuration, which costs $1,129.99. However, the additional cost makes the machine even better equipped to function as your family’s one-stop multimedia hub. It comes with a TV tuner installed, meaning you’ll be able watch and record your favorite shows on your PC. It has a faster processor and an improved graphics card which makes playing video games and enjoying high-definition movies easier. It also comes with a larger hard drive for users who have a ton of files and data to store. Have a look at its specs:

• Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
• Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 (Speed of 2.0GHz)
• 4GB System Memory: Twice the memory of the base configuration
• 640GB Hard Drive: Double the hard drive size means a ton of extra space for storing pictures, movies, and other media files
• NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS HD card for enhanced graphic capabilities
• Slot-load SuperMulti DVD Burner
• TV tuner, ATSC & NTSC with PVR, remote

If you’ll be using the IQ500t as the main multimedia system for your house, you may want to replace the Slot-load SuperMulti DVD Burner with a Slot-load Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner. This will enable you to play Blu-ray disks on your computer for a much higher definition movie-watching experience. You may also want to upgrade to the HP 2.1 50W stereo speakers with subwoofer and remote control to get the ultimate audio experience.

HP TouchSmart IQ500t Reviews

• PC World claims the IQ500t’s “vibrant multitouch display and excellent general performance make it a competitive all-in-one option.”
• Given a 4 star rating by Personal Computer World as well as a verdict describing it as having a “auperb screen and well-thought-out touch technology.”
• PC Authority predicts “this could be the future of desktop PCs.”

Design

When you sit in front of the TouchSmart IQ500t, you’ll come face to face with an elegant piece of hardware coated with a piano black finish and highlighted in ambient lighting. The entire front is dominated by its imposing glossy touchscreen. At the top of the screen, you’ll find the integrated web cam and microphone, while at the bottom, you’ll see the high-performance speakers.

Move on to the back and you’ll notice that the entire unit is propped up by an adjustable stand that can be tilted up to 40º. As you’ll note, there’s only space for for one cable- the power cord. All other cables are non-existent due to the IQ500t’s extensive use of wireless technology and the integration of other components into the unit.

Hidden on one side, but accessible by your right hand, is the slot-loading DVD drive for your disks. Slide in your DVD or CD to view movies or listen to audio tracks on the IQ500t. Since the DVD drive is also a DVD burner, you can create your own personalized disks with it. You’ll find the 5-in-1 memory card reader on this side as well. The reader is where you can insert memory cards to transfer data from your camera, phone, mp3 player, and other mobile devices.

On the other side is a panel holding a nice selection of connectivity options: USB ports, Ethernet, digital audio, audio line out, TV in, S-Video input, stereo input, and IR blaster output. We usually can’t get enough of USB ports, so two more are found near the front, right below the ambient lighting switch.

Connectivity

To accommodate external storage devices, the TouchSmart IQ500t has a 5-in-1 memory card reader and 5 USB 2.0 ports. Two of the USB ports are conveniently located near the front for easy access while the remaining three are hidden at the back. These ports are perfect for connecting all your extra gadgets to the machine. Also found near the front are the headphone & line-in jacks.

Internet capabilities come by way of an integrated ethernet port and a Wireless-N LAN card. Whether you’ve got a wired  connection or have a wireless network in your home, it’s easy to get this PC online. Bluetooth connectivity allows additional connections to your Bluetooth compatible devices such as headsets and cell phones.

The HP Pavilion dv6t is a contender for being your new favorite laptop as it strikes the balance between mobility, size and visual performance. The notebook packs an impressive high definition screen and has a stylish and modern design.

This 15.6 inch notebook is perfect for beginners who want a portable computer with a large screen, but is also customizable with a variety of options for advanced users seeking to optimize their machine’s performance.

Video Overview

HP Pavilion dv6t Pricing and Configuration

HPDirect.com is currently offering the entry-level base HP Pavilion dv6t for a very affordable $679.99. This configuration is outfitted with a 64-bit operating system to help maximize computing power as well as:

• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6600 (Speed of 2.2GHz)
• RAM: 2GB System Memory
• 250GB Hard Drive: Plenty of digital storage space for both beginner and advanced users
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD: Enhances machine’s graphic capabilities
• Integrated Webcam

HP’s recommended configuration of HP Pavilion dv6t costs $952.99. This configuration  benefits from extra memory and additional storage, equipping it for better performance:

• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7450 (Speed 2.13GHz)
• RAM: 4GB System Memory
• Upgrade to 500GB Hard Drive (2x the space)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

Upgrades to Consider: These additional upgrades will give your laptop even more features and are recommended for advanced multimedia users:

• Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM: Enjoy watching your favorite high definition Blu-Ray movies and DVDs, as wells as making your own home movies, with this upgraded CD drive.
• HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner: Watch and record all of your favorite TV shows directly on your computer with an integrated TV tuner.

HP Pavilion dv6t Reviews

PCMag raves about the dv6t’s design: ” The HP Pavilion dv6t is tailor-made for frugal fashionistas. It’s gorgeously designed and packed with features made for digital hobbyists…”

TechReviewSource calls it “a pretty good computer for the money and definitely worth looking at if you are in the market for a new laptop…”

Design

The dv6t has an attractive black lid and can be decorated with a sleek imprint. The notebook is available in Moonlight White or Espresso Black (shown below).

The dv6t is very portable for a 16 inch notebook and has smooth durable surfaces with a “liquid metallic” appearance.

Connectivity

The Pavilion dv6t comes standard with a wireless-G card to connect to Wi-Fi networks. A wireless N card is optional and allows for faster download speeds and greater range. An ethernet port is included to allow you to get online using a wired connection as well.

The dv6t comes with 4 USB ports for connecting all your additional electronic gadgets like MP3 players and cameras. A 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader is also installed for easy transfer of data from memory cards. You’ll also be able to connect your computer to an HDTV or another output because of the built-in HDMI port.

HP’s MediaSmart Server EX490 and MediaSmart Server EX495 are home servers built for those who demand high capacity as well as high performance machines. These servers have terabytes (1000 GBs) of storage capacity for digital photos, music, and videos.

With a Wi-Fi router, the data stored on an HP MediaSmart Server can be accessed wirelessly from PCs and Macs. The same information can be streamed to a TV or stereo through an XBox 360 or Playstation 3. The servers can be plugged into the Internet to provide user access to the same files from any Internet-connected computer. Through these servers, photos can be uploaded easily to photo sharing sites like Snapfish, Facebook, Picasa, and Flickr.

Both the EX490 and EX495 can even create mobile versions of certain files that can then be streamed to iPods, iPhones, Zunes, PSPs, or any capable mobile device.

These machines have been shrunk to a 9.2″ x 5.5″ x 9.8″ frame so they can fit snugly into an existing work space.

HP MediaSmart Server Product Demo Video

Data Protection

In their basic configurations, the EX490 comes with a 1TB hard drive, while the EX495 comes with a larger 1.5 TB hard disk space. Each system has 4 drive bays (including those that have already been occupied). Each drive’s capacity can be expanded up to multiple terabytes of space to accommodate any number of digital photos, music, and video.

With all that space for data, the usual concern is security. Potential buyers want to know how they can keep all their precious digital family photos and personal information safe in case of a system crash.

All digital media files are backed-up automatically in a non-intrusive manner; by default, back-ups take place every night. These back-ups can be performed on either an external hard drive or an online backup system like Amazon’s S3. Basically, if a system crashes, it can easily be restored to its original state.

HP MediaSmart Server EX490 and EX495 Specs and Prices

Under the hood, the EX490 and EX495 are virtually the same in many aspects:

• Operating system: Microsoft Windows Home Server
• Processor: Intel Celeron Processor 2.2 GHz for the EX490 and Intel Pentium Processor Dual Core 2.5 GHz
• RAM: 2GB DDR2 DRAM
• No. of Drive bays: 4
• Ports: Four USB 2.0 ports and 1 eSATA port – This is where external storage devices can be plugged in

The only main difference is, as stated earlier, the number of hard disks and space. The EX490 has one with 1TB of storage, while the EX495 has one with 1.5TB of storage.

This difference translates to price points of $549.99 for the EX490 and $699.99 for the EX495, both of which are available online from HPDirect.com.

HP MediaSmart Server EX490/EX495 Reviews

MediaSmartHome raves about the software redesign: “The Home Server Console’s been given a much needed makeover, and it really shines…”

Engadget likes the new Mac compatible features the new model of MediaSmart Server offers.

They got 4/5 stars out of 10 customer reviews at Amazon.

Gizmodo summarizes: “If you’re new to the Windows Home Server realm, this has pretty much everything a PC or a Mac user would want to hold their data, stream their media and backup their information…”

Design

Both servers sport an industrial-inspired look, with perforated steel exterior panels. Swapping hard drives is as easy as opening the front panel, and sliding the hard disks in and out of the drive bays.

At the back of the units are three USB ports (one is found at the front), an eSATA port, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

Connectivity

The 10/100/1000 network adapter connects the server to a router, using the ethernet port in the back. In order to enable wireless connectivity, the EX490/EX495 has be plugged into a wireless router.