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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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Buffalo LinkStation Network Storage Center PCW Rating: 77.0PCW Rating: 77.0PCW Rating: 77.0

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

1. Buffalo 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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Iomega NAS 100d PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

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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Linksys EtherFast Network Attached Storage EFG250 PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

3. Linksys EtherFast Network Attached Storage EFG250

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 with Maxtor OneTouch II PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

4. Linksys Network Storage Link with Maxtor OneTouch II

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 PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

5. Snap Appliance Snap Server 1100

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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Iomega Network Hard Drive 160GB PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5

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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LaCie Ethernet Disk PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

7. LaCie Ethernet Disk

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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Ximeta NetDisk PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

8. Ximeta NetDisk

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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Ximeta NetDisk Office PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

Last Rated: December 29, 2004

9. Ximeta 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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Tritton Wireless NAS PCW Rating: 2.5PCW Rating: 2.5PCW Rating: 2.5

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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