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Network Storage for Home and Business

The Buffalo LinkStation Network Storage Center was our home choice for its ease of use (it also makes a good option for small businesses). The Snap Appliance Snap Server 1100 was our business pick for its rich and sophisticated file-sharing features.

Narasu Rebbapragada

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LinkStation Network Storage Center PCW Rating: 76.6PCW Rating: 76.6PCW Rating: 76.6

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

1. Buffalo Technology LinkStation Network Storage Center

Best for home and business, 250GB, Two USB 2.0 ports (one for a printer, the other for an extra drive), ethernet port, Street price: $399, $1.60 per GB

Bottom Line: Our pick for the home user, this product is easy to set up and use. Performance was middle-of-the-pack in our speed tests.

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NAS 100d PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

2. Iomega NAS 100d

Best for home, 160GB, Two USB 2.0 ports (both for drives), ethernet port, Street price: $499, $3.12 per GB

Bottom Line: Iomega's entry-level network storage device has built-in 802.11g wireless and USB 2.0 ports for adding extra hard drives. (250GB version also available.)

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EtherFast Network Attached Storage EFG 250 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

3. Linksys EtherFast Network Attached Storage EFG 250

Best for business, 250GB, Parallel port for print server, gigabit ethernet port, second drive bay, Street price: $749, $3.00 per GB

Bottom Line: Though it may seem expensive, this device comes with a print server and an internal drive bay for adding a second drive. (120GB version also available.)

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Linksys NETWORK STORAGE LINK USB 2.0 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

4. Linksys Linksys NETWORK STORAGE LINK USB 2.0

Best for business, 300GB, Two USB 2.0 ports (both for extra drives), ethernet port, Street price: $470 ($90 for the Storage Link, $380 for the drive), $1.57 per GB

Bottom Line: These products are marketed together, but you could buy just the Linksys device and use it with any USB 2.0 hard drive. This setup puts two boxes on your desk instead of one. (250GB version also available.)

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Snap Appliance Snap Server 1100 - Network storage server - HD 250 GB x 1 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

5. Adaptec Snap Appliance Snap Server 1100 - Network storage server - HD 250 GB x 1

Best for business, 250GB, Ethernet port, Street price: $649, $2.60 per GB

Bottom Line: Our pick for the small-business user, the Snap Server has the most sophisticated file-sharing features here. It can sync to other Snap Servers (even remotely) for backup, too. (80GB and 160GB versions also available.)

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Network Hard Drive 160GB PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

6. Iomega Network Hard Drive 160GB

Best for home, 160GB, Ethernet port, Street price: $280, $1.75 per GB

Bottom Line: This no-frills product, which is strictly for backup and file sharing, has relatively low capacity.

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Ethernet Disk 160GB Hard Drive (10/100 Ethernet, 7200 RPM, 8MB) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

7. LaCie Ethernet Disk 160GB Hard Drive (10/100 Ethernet, 7200 RPM, 8MB)

Best for business, 160GB, Parallel port for print server, two USB 1.1 ports (both for extra drives), FireWire, ethernet ports, Street price: $599, $3.74 per GB

Bottom Line: The rack-mountable LaCie Ethernet Disk was a top performer but lacks USB 2.0 ports and updated documentation. (800GB version also available.)

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120GB NetDisk Portable NDAS (Ximeta-NDU10120) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

8. Ximeta 120GB NetDisk Portable NDAS (Ximeta-NDU10120)

Best for home, 120GB, USB 2.0 port (for connecting to PC only), ethernet port, Street price: $199, $1.66 per GB

Bottom Line: Inexpensive and easy to use, the Ximeta NetDisk requires each user to install proprietary software. (80GB, 160GB, and 250GB versions also available.)

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120GB NetDisk Office PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

9. Ximeta 120GB NetDisk Office

Best for home, 120GB, USB 2.0 port (for connecting to PC only), eight ethernet ports, Street price: $300, $2.50 per GB

Bottom Line: This product is similar to Ximeta's NetDisk but adds an eight-port ethernet switch.

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Wireless NAS PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated:

10. Tritton Wireless NAS

Best for business, 200GB, Ethernet port, Street price: $499, $2.50 per GB

Bottom Line: Tritton's wireless NAS has a limited folder and file-sharing structure and poor documentation.

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