One of the few notable moments in Bill Gates’s yawn-worthy opening keynote address was the official introduction of Windows Home Server, a version of Windows designed specifically for devices like HP’s MediaSmart Server. Added to a home network (which can include PCs and Xboxes), it will perform automatic backups, share files to every device on the network, and allow access to your stuff from any Internet-connected machine, all features previously reserved for high-end commercial networks, available in your humble abode later this year.

The HP MediaSmart Server uses Microsoft Windows Home Server as its operating system. As previously stated access to your network is easy to setup so you can get to your home files from anywhere. Want to share your photos with Grandma and Grandpa without posting them to a public web site? The MediaSmart server can do that.

The server can also stream you video to home entertainment center using a DMA (Digital Media Adopter).

Most of us don’t back up our precious data like we should. What happens to all those pictures and videos of your kids when your hard drive crashes? There gone, and those irreplaceable memories along with them.

The MediaSmart Server can be expended to store up to 6 TB (that’s terabytes!) of data. You can also connect devices via USB 2.0.

Last but not least, the print server functionality allows you to connect a printer to the server at some central location within your home or small office. I know this is one of my biggest complaints. I wanted to get rid of my main pc and switch to a laptop but then I would have to haul my laptop to the printer whenever I needed to print something. A dedicated print server alleviates that problem.

Specs:
Processor: AMD 1.8 Ghz 64-bit Sempron
Network: 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Ethernet
Hard Drive: SATA 7200 RPM
Max Storage: 6 Terabytes
Max Users: 10
Print Server: Up to 4 USB Printers
Dimensions: 5.5″ W x 9.8″ H x 9.2″ D

No price is currently available.