Acer Aspire easyStore H340 Review

The User Reviews

Average User Rating: 10.0

1. Flawless

   

   By: ttechnology
   November 9, 2009 @ 1:32 PM

   This is a great server. I found one at approximately 25% off at Frys.com during one of their weekly ads. Others have touted deals at NewEgg. So, shop around. Regardless, an incredible value. True, it may not have all the flair of the added HP software – but I think that’s over hyped. Having been abandoned by HP with their MediaVault 5150 product, I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. It’s half the price, smaller, simple, reliable, quiet and equally expandable. You CAN backup Macs via Time Machine.

   Regardless of the product you purchase, I would highly recommend that you add 2 additional hard drives – regardless of size. This gives you one for the OS and 2 for “mirrored” storage. The OS does not have to be a big volume. And there is no requirement to have the drives match. (Given today’s disk prices, though, there is no reason not to.) But the reason you have this is to safely and centrally store your backups, files, music, etc. Get the fastest drives you can afford, though. There’s a big difference in performance between 5400rpm and 7200rpm.

   I also recommend you think about how you can back up this unit. Unique to the Acer product is the ability to use a large USB drive with 1 touch backup. Plug the drive in, push a button and it backs up. Or, you can use one of the on-line backup sites with WHS addins that cost about $60 per year and constantly keep your WHS unit backed up.

   The only thing I am not convinced about, which is an issue with HP also, is the McAfee AntiVirus product. Many tout the Avast and F-Secure products. Others feel that because all of your connected PC’s will have AntiVirus that you do not require such software. I believe you do. Regardless, assuming you agree, you need one that works with Home Server due to the unique function of “drive extender”, a product that makes things easier for you but complicates things a bit for developers.

   Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No

2. Great product, satisfied the storage /file preservation needs!

   

   By: paulfweeks
   July 28, 2009 @ 9:14 AM

   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 average when you use the “no activity/suspend” function.

   Nightly scheduled backup function is seamless and automatic.

   “LightsOut” add-in is great. It gives you a graphic analysis of how/when the computers are being used.

   Paul

   Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No

3. Great Server

   

   By: Sean
   July 7, 2009 @ 2:30 PM

   I had a home built Windows home server. It used up more energy, ran hot, noisy, and hard to change out drives. Completely opposite with the Acer. Plenty powerful enough, quiet, cool, small, easy hard drive swap and does just what it was designed to do. There is a work around for the Mac Backup. You can time Machine to a Windows share. Google it.

   Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No

4. EXCELLENT

   

   By: rideOUT
   June 24, 2009 @ 11:23 AM

   This has got to be the best server, for consumers, to date. Finally, a server for everybody, that’s designed with a practical, no nonsense approach. It’s not crammed with a lot of bells and whistles, but does just what it’s designed to do…and does it well.

   Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No