Maxtor H01R300 Shared Storage Drive

• Reviewed by: gosgan

  Strengths: Fast, easy to setup, reliable and network friendly

  Weaknesses: Software, software and software

  Overall: Very easy to setup and get running. Very fast and backups up large amounts of data daily without any problems...and did I say fast? Plus, it is a NAS, so you can attach it to your home network and backup several computers. The setup took about ten minutes.Management and Backup Software is a suckapoola:If you have used other backup products (software), you will be very frustrated with the limited options with this product. Maxtor attempted to make the UI idiot proof, but by doing so, they limited and degraded the whole package.I keep checking their Website for another version...like maybe one of the hardware guys at Maxtor/Seagate got frustrated and broke out his compiler...the software guys, forget about it...they were probably outsourced and have since left the building?! There is very little you can do, other then choose the folders or drives you want to back up and let it run. This sounds reasonable, but I needed to do more, such as run RoboCopy and backup a few SQL dbs. If you've worked with other backup products, such as Backup Exec, Roxio Toast even the incredibly wierd ArcServe from the incredibly wierd company CA, you will find Maxtor's SimpleView a dud. I'm not asking for EMC here or Bacula, but just like ATI, great hardware, very bad software. No reporting features.I also ran into problems when I migrated my domain from Windows 2000 to 2003. I think it is running SAMBA. I could not add it to a domain, so it remains a separate workgroup. The admin account went to SID hell.Does not take domain or network account changes well. Weak and very limited account management. As a Print Server (only USB):Reasonably well as ps with laserjet printers, but I ran into problems with my PhotoSmart Series...I think it doesn't like the bloated monitors HP is putting out. I wouldn't fault Maxtor on this one.Summary:This is a great product to backup your docs, music and photos at home but do not get it for the business. Suggestion:Create an Advance UI option and provide more granular file and account management or at least allow for Netbackup and RoboCopy - what is with the screwy timestamps?

• Reviewed by: welldone

  Strengths: Easy to set up, relative low price

  Weaknesses: None so far

  Overall: This hard drive is very easy to install. It only took me a few minutes to set it up. 300GB is large enough to back up my daily files. With the help of this drive, I don't need to burn CD quite often, and it is so easy to do the back-up. Furthermore, I am satisfied with the transfer speed. It definitely deserves the money I paid.

• Reviewed by: danahauser

  Strengths: Cheap. Easy setup. Nice drive to hang off the wifi router in the basement.

  Weaknesses: Lots. See Below

  Overall: Media Extenders won't recognize / connect to it. Microsoft Media Center won't record to NAS drive even if you map drive there or substitute local drive.Software sucks. I just wanted to robocopy folders to NAS, but device creates bad time stamps which makes robocopy not viable. Lame. Currently 'accepting' software to backup specific folders, but software "SimpleView" tell me that "Backup status not found." UNC browsing indicates that files have been backed up. Curious. I wish it was just a remote hard drive. I don't know why they try so hard to idiot proof the thing to the point where folks like me don't like it.

• Reviewed by: MedBoyIL

  Strengths: extremely easy to use and set up; large 300GB capacity; drag-and-drop feature easily sorts files by type

  Weaknesses: product as sold needs upgrade in firmware and software for use on one's computer, easily found for free at the manufacturer's website (not a true weakness, but a minor inconvenience during set-up)

  Overall: I received this shared network drive today and had it set up within about 30 minutes, including the firmware and softward upgrades, easily obtainable from the manufacturer's website. Back-up of files is easy, as is use of the simple drag-and-drop feature which allows your files to be sorted automatically by file type into the appropriate folder (e.g. mp3 files get put in the My Music folder if you've configured a "home" account or in the My Multimedia" if you've configured a "business" account). For all the features (including security) it is well worth the price if bought online.

• Reviewed by: aarontmiller

  Strengths: You simply plug it in, run CD-ROM on your PC and it works! The software took 2 minutes to install and there weren't any confusing options to foul you up. VERY simple. Works exactly as promised.

  Weaknesses: Seems a bit slow. I expected faster read/write. However, I'm using 10mps wifi, so I bet that's the delimiting factor. If I was using for more than just backup, I would upgrade wireless network.

  Overall: This product could not have been easier to install. Impossible to screw up. I bought the drive to have a live, easy backup solution without need for third-party backup software, etc. With 300 gigs, you can simply copy and paste everything to have a simple, fool-proof backup. Great peace of mind. Allowed me to throw away a lot of burned CDs. No brainer purchase. Totally silent! Would definitely purchase again.