HP MediaSmart ex487

This model was among the fastest network-attached storage devices we've tested in the PC World Test Center. It blazed through our tests, earning a score of Superior for its performance. For example, the MediaSmart required 231 seconds to copy 3GB of files and folders, and 194 seconds to search through 12GB of data (less than half the time required by the Linksys by Cisco MediaHub 410).

Because the MediaSmart uses Windows Home Server, to configure it you must use a client application installed on a local PC instead of your Web browser. While this shields the user from having to determine a NAS box's URL--a string such as 192.168.1.100--and type it into a browser, the client was very slow to connect, and it sat in the system tray (yet another marginally useful background app using up memory and CPU cycles).

Once you actually get to it, Windows Home Sever is visually attractive as well as intuitive--particularly for anyone who's already used to Windows. However, in spite of its Windows Home Server operating system, the MediaSmart offers no clear advantages over the other boxes, and it costs more than competitors, too. One major gripe: Upon opening after installation, the unit prompted us to install a McAfee security add-on to protect the MediaSmart. You can disable this rather intrusive marketing ploy, but we found it disingenuous nontheless.

--Jon L. Jacobi and Melissa J. Perenson