Acer releases cute’n’compact Windows Home Server

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David Flynn26 May 2009, 1:00 PM

The Atom-powered four-drive system looks set to be the second major WHS system that we can’t get here. Surprise, surprise...


Microsoft has taken a bit of sledging for the lack of success of its Windows Home Server platform.

Despite being quite a solid product that’s enjoyed two decent ‘Power Pack’ updates and is now closing on its second birthday, WHS has failed to gain anywhere near the mainstream penetration which Microsoft expected.

But it doesn’t help when Microsoft’s hardware partners build appealing WHS systems for the US and European markets but don’t bring them to our shores and stock them on our shelves.

It could be a pricing issue, or the reality of our smaller market size (even though Aussies have proved to be fervent adopters of technology).

None the less, we’ve already seen HP release its second-gen WHS system in the MediaSmart LX195, and HP’s local spokesman still tells us “There no plans of releasing this product locally”.

It’s the same tune with Acer, which last week launched its first WHS box. The Acer Aspire EasyStore Home Server is a compact black box with four 2.5 inch drive bays, the first of which is filled with a 1TB disk, and like HP’s LX195 is powered by Intel’s desktop-class Atom 230 with 2GB of RAM.


Acer's new Aspire EasyStore is another sweet Windows Home Server system that we may never see (sniff...)


In addition to the five USB 2.0 ports which support an automatic ‘quick copy’ of files from a flash drive or hard drive onto the server, there’s an eSATA port and Gigabit Ethernet (of course). All this comes in at a pretty sweet US$399.

But an Acer spokeswoman told APCmag that “at the current moment Acer Australia has no plans to introduce the new EasyStore into the Australian market.”

Jeff Alexander, one of Microsoft Australia’s ‘IT Pro Evangelists’, told APCmag that the lack of brand-name systems with a strong retail presence definitely hampered Windows Home Server getting cut-through with consumers.

“In Australia, it’s probably because we haven’t had a big hardware partner to launch a box so you can go to a shop and see it on the shelf and buy it. We just haven’t got the big manufacturers like HP doing Home Server here in Australia.”

But there could be light on the Home Server horizon, with Alexander admitting that “we’re working with multinationals like HP for a possible launch.”


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Michael J (Cornerstone member):

I honestly don't see why you would need something like windows home server if you can just get Linux!

26 May 2009, 1:25 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

todd_h86 (User):

Quoting Michael J:
I honestly don't see why you would need something like windows home server if you can just get Linux!


Because unlike linux Windows Home Server is VERY easy to set up, I mean a computer novice could set up the server with network shares and remote access etc easily, unlike linux where I see many IT Pros still scratch their heads when confronted with it.
WHS should be enjoying more success than it is, especially with the latest power pack and HP addons.


26 May 2009, 1:38 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting todd_h86:
Because unlike linux Windows Home Server is VERY easy to set up,

Clearly you've not tried any of of a choice of easy to set-up and operate Linux server builds. Just as novice friendly and capable of running well on older hardware in a domestic situation.


Quoting todd_h86:
unlike linux where I see many IT Pros still scratch their heads when confronted with it.

A lot of so called IT pros have trouble with doors.


Quoting todd_h86:
WHS should be enjoying more success than it is

I agree, and while in most circumstances I'd suggest a Linux alternative, I still see a place for WHS. I'd suggest the main reason for its relative failure is the manner in which it is sold. It's near impossible to legally get WHS in any manner other than bundled with devices like above.

Most domestic environments I encounter that have grown to need a network server have at least one of last year P4's sitting idle in a cupboard. I cannot understand why MS has chosen to make WHS so unattainable for use on older hardware.


26 May 2009, 1:54 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Aubrey (Advanced member):

Quoting Raindog:
A lot of so called IT pros have trouble with doors.


I wish I'd said that! But then again, I probably will at some stage.


Quoting Raindog:
Most domestic environments I encounter that have grown to need a network server have at least one of last year P4's sitting idle in a cupboard.


Exactly. And maybe if people just avoid "IT pros", they could get one working as Linux server in an hour or two. There are so many tutorials and walk-throughs on the net, I reckon anyone could do it even if they had no prior Linux experience. Perhaps the fact that most self-respecting server distros are command line only (for very good reasons) turns people off - but you can install a graphical desktop very easily just for the install and initial set-up if needed and then do server admin via a web-based app on another machine.

Perhaps APC should run a tutorial in the mag?


26 May 2009, 4:03 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Aubrey:
they could get one working as Linux server in an hour or two.

I can usually have an SME server box configured and running a raid array in 15 to 20, You cant get a windows box to format in that time.

Quoting Aubrey:
Perhaps APC should run a tutorial in the mag?

An up to date comparison of some of what is on offer would be a good article. There are many distros for Home Servers, Media Servers, NAS boxes, Internet firewalls and Gateways. Most designed to run headless on moderate hardware and configured via user friendly web interfaces.

Windowphiles should not dismiss these boxes they are generally tailored to support and serve Windows, Mac and Linux clients with ease.






26 May 2009, 4:28 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Regular user):

Quoting todd_h86:
Because unlike linux Windows Home Server is VERY easy to set up


So are NAS boxes, home routers, etc... yet plenty of home and business users struggle with these too.
And as raindog said, you clearly haven't tried any of the "easy" Linux distros. The days of Linux being a pain are well over. Many are a case of stick the install CD in, confirm you're willing to hose the hard disk, answer some simple questions, and start using it.

26 May 2009, 7:31 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Michael J (Cornerstone member):

well, I guess I haven't tried WHS. does anyone know if you can download a trial version of it? If not, I might just get out utorrent again...

26 May 2009, 7:43 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Bodog @ wegotserverd.com (New user):

You can download a 120 day trial which is a full working version @ http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/eval.mspx

26 May 2009, 7:55 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Bodog @ wegotserverd.com:
You can download a 120 day trial which is a full working version

Which is handy for 120 days but hardly a solution. Why it's not available for retail sale can be nothing but missed opportunity. There goes any chance of Windows gaining any foothold in the domestic server market.


26 May 2009, 9:05 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Bodog @ wegotserverd.com (New user):

Microsoft Australia have done NOTHING to encourage their OEM's to enter the Australian WHS market by providing any support for them in opening up this market - the message is basically "you're on your own". Poor Microsoft marketing on this one is one of the major reasons that OEMs such as HP and Fujitsu (and now it seems ACER also) have no been prepared to invest. Interestingly HP have only just announced the release of their 2nd generation WHS's into the European market in terms of opportunity (which is a little larger than the ANZ market!)

26 May 2009, 7:52 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Rad (New user):

Surely we can just buy this stuff over the internet if we really want it? Do we really need a local release?

29 May 2009, 12:46 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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