NAS SALE - HP MicroServer N40L $219, N54L $259, Gen 8 (G8) $349, Buffalo 4TB NAS $269 + Shipping

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NAS SALE - HP MicroServer N40L $219, N54L $259, Gen 8 (G8) $349, Buffalo 4TB NAS $269 + Shipping

Store RepShoppingExpress on 30/09/2013 - 13:33 shoppingexpress.com.au (1924 clicks)
Last edited 02/10/2013 - 11:57

We are having 1 week "NRL" Matchups this week, featuring 3 days of NAS, Routers & Laptops matchups. Kickstarting today will be 8 NASs featuring some of ozbargain's favourite models: HP N40L, N54L & the new Gen8 Microservers. The Routers & Laptops to be featured will be announced on the start of each promotion date. Nuff said, enjoy the "NRL Grand Final Week"~~

NAS Matchup 1:

HP N40L Microserver Diskless 4 Bay - $219 SOLD OUT
VS
Buffalo 4TB Linkstation Duo 2 Bay NAS - $269

NAS Matchup 2:

NAS Matchup 3:

NAS Matchup 4:

OR

$10 Off Order total when you buy the following hard drives on same order

Other products you might need:

Kingston 4GB DDR3 Ram - $45
note: this RAM is NOT compatible with G8 Microserver
Gigabyte GT210 Low Profile Graphics Card - $32
Belkin Ultimate Series 6 way Surge - $55

Router Matchups:
TBA

Laptop Matchups:
TBA

All stocks are limited, with limited quantity per customer.
Shipping starts $8.95 and averages $10 Australia Wide
No Grey Imports, All Genuine & carries Australia's Manufacturer Warranty.
No changes can be made to existing order once it has been made - please choose carefully before confirming the order & thanks for understanding.

Computing HP NAS Server

2 Oct 2013

Related Stores

Shopping Express

closed Comments

johnnyb on 30/09/2013 - 13:40

+4

Gah, bought the N54L from ShoppingExpress for $298 last week. Should have known better than to buy something not posted on Ozbargain first.
1Dollar on 30/09/2013 - 13:44

Never owned a HP NAS, thinking of getting the N40L or n54L. Is the extra $37 worth the upgrade to the N54L?
- daewoo on 30/09/2013 - 13:46
  
  +1
  
  N36L and N40L use less power than the N54L. I would go N40L if you want this as an 'always on' device :)
  - CyberGenesys on 30/09/2013 - 14:06
    
    +2
    
    Can someone please confirm that the following is accurate, I can't seem to find any definitive results to compare with:
    
    The max power consumption of the CPU is when it is under high load. When not under load they will use similar power, assuming it has appropriate down-clocking. Apart from the CPU they are identical, so a 10w difference, but only under CPU intensive tasks.
    
    CPU:
    - N40L 15w TDP
    - N54L 25w TDP
    
    But you may find both of these average 5w power on the CPU when idling (for example).
  - damolol on 30/09/2013 - 15:50
    
    +3
    
    This is not accurate at all. TDP is the maximum power usage not what it uses day to day. When the CPU is not used they will both use similar amounts of power. When the CPU is in use however the N54L will use more power however it will process the data much more quickly, as a result term, the N54L may consume less power.
    - CyberGenesys on 30/09/2013 - 16:52
      
      +1
      
      I think we are actually agreeing.
      
      Edit: damn OZB comment nesting, you're not replying to me are you?
    - damolol on 30/09/2013 - 23:34
      
      +3
      
      If its any consolation i was debating whether to agree with you or disagree with dawewoo. Went with latter.
- tonyjzx on 30/09/2013 - 13:46
  
  +1
  
  1.5 vs 2.2
  
  is the speed worth it in your application?
  - 1Dollar on 30/09/2013 - 13:48
    
    +1
    
    I have no idea. Will be running 24/7 for surveillance purposes, torrenting and maybe backing up data.
    - rekabkram on 30/09/2013 - 14:02
      
      +2
      
      The N40 is the best choice for low cost 24/7 system. It's perfectly capable of running low requirement programs. Don't forget to run all programs on a SSD and upgrade the ram.
- digitalaxon on 30/09/2013 - 13:58
  
  +2
  
  The extra cpu grunt gives you flexibility for the future —- they are great little box able to run ESXi, Hyper-V, or KVM without any issues.
  
  They are not perfect (such as raid being software only) but for the price, features, and basically being 100x better than a dedicated 4 bay NAS using something like freenas, I think they are a great little box.
  - [Deactivated] on 01/10/2013 - 14:46
    
    N40L has hardware RAID 0, 1 and 1+0. If you want RAID 5 you will need to install a RAID 5 controller. I have 2 N40L's - 1 running hardware RAID 1+0, 1 without, and the performance is virtually identical.
    The hardware RAID can be configured in both the standard and popular modded BIOS's and as with all hardware RAID, you need to configure in the RAID array in the BIOS before installing the OS (and OS RAID) drivers. Having OS drivers does not make it software RAID, just enables optimal OS integration with the array.
- oleglap on 30/09/2013 - 14:22
  
  +5
  
  I have a N54L connected to my 55" TV in the living room - it's on 24/7 and is used as Plex server and player.
  
  Works absolutely flawlessly - 1080p movies, etc - can't fault it at all.
  
  SSD to run Windows 8, 4x3tb WD Red for storage, a graphics card and 8Gb RAM. Logitech wireless keyboard k400r does wonders for usability, and I have my Logitech Harmony One to control video playback.
daewoo on 30/09/2013 - 13:50

Does the N40L support 4GB drives?
- digitalaxon on 30/09/2013 - 13:56
  
  +2
  
  I've installed 3Tb RED's into the N54L and read that it will also support 4Tb drives - HOWEVER the BIOS does not support drives with capacities over 2Tb so if you install a 3Tb drive for example, you will only see the first 2Tb. If you have a smaller drive as your boot drive, once the system has booted (be it FreeNAS for example) you can then access the 3Tb/4Tb drives as normal.
  
  I was able to see 2x3Tb drives by having my N54L boot off a USB flash drive running the latest v9 FreeNAS.
  
  Word of caution the N40L has a firmware quirk that if you install 16Gb it may or may not see all of it and only start with 8gb.. Out of 5 reboots expect 2-3 to show 8gb instead of 16.. The N54L does not have the issue nor the N36L (from personal experience owning all 3 different models).
  
  Hope that helps.
  - a1oka on 30/09/2013 - 14:29
    
    +3
    
    I have 4x4TB REDs and run openmediavault on N54L. BTW, amazon have a price drop on those HDD right now. http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Cache-Drive-WD40EFRX/d…
    - johnnyb on 30/09/2013 - 14:45
      
      Interesting that only the 4TB can be sent overseas directly from Amazon.
    - Not Applicable on 30/09/2013 - 22:27
      
      Wow thats a great price. Unsure if I trust them coming from that far though…imagine if just one person mishandles them
- PissLUR on 30/09/2013 - 14:03
  
  +4
  
  Yes. I just installed the 4gb Seagate from the dick smith's deal.
- johnyBgood on 30/09/2013 - 14:15
  
  +3
  
  Does the N40L support 4GB drives?
  
  Yes, there are 7 usb ports that you can use for your 4gb drive. :)
  - Shwayne on 30/09/2013 - 15:41
    
    Alternatively, strip the external casing, and insert it, it still works.
    - johnyBgood on 30/09/2013 - 17:05
      
      +3
      
      You mean like this? http://goo.gl/BVtaW4
      
      Just kidding, I know he meant 4TB. ;)
    - daewoo on 01/10/2013 - 09:28
      
      Haha, just realised! Obviously needed a few bytes of coffee.
- atlas on 30/09/2013 - 14:58
  
  Yes I have 4 x 4TB Hitachi 7200rpm drives running in my N40L.
- tonyamazing on 01/10/2013 - 14:36
  
  I have 4x 4TB Samsung drives as a RAID 5 in my N36L.
  
  I had switch the partition table to GPT.
j2009 on 30/09/2013 - 13:50

Which one is better between Synology DS413j 4 Bay NAS and Netgear ReadyNAS 104 4 Bay NAS?
REP: Can you do a deal for 4xhdd and either of the NAS?

Thanks
- MrNuclear on 30/09/2013 - 15:45
  
  Synology make excellent hardware, I have the DS412+ and it is the perfect companion to my ATV2 with media player. I have previously owned a Netgear and a Thecus NAS and they were both rubbish, spent more time getting fixed than working. Totally anecdotal, but that's my experience.
digitalaxon on 30/09/2013 - 13:51

+1

Neat price on the N54L.. Makes me wish I had waited 3 weeks and saved $80… On a positive note I was able to get memory for it cheaper than memory is now so it is not a total loss…
ravzter on 30/09/2013 - 14:09

does n54l have any hard drives that come with it ? like n40l used to come with 250 gb
- Store RepShoppingExpress @ Shopping Express on 30/09/2013 - 14:20
  
  N54L is diskless.
daewoo on 30/09/2013 - 14:13

The Gen8 looks like a good deal (cheapest on static ice = $399):
http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=G1610T&spos…

Does anyone have any thoughts / experiences with this model?
- salem on 30/09/2013 - 14:44
  
  +2
  
  The main criticism of it compared to n40/54l is that the gen 8 only takes 4 HDDs whereas the older ones have various nooks and crannies you can jam a few extra into and hook them up to the optical drive's sata port and the esata port on the back.
- snvl on 30/09/2013 - 14:45
  
  +2
  
  You can upgrade the processor on Gen8.
- maca667 on 30/09/2013 - 18:19
  
  +8
  
  For those considering the Gen8 here is my experience.
  I originally got is as a media server and then found that it is a very, very flexible machine, and turned it into a HTPC/Media server.
  
  At the moment it is running 3x 2tb (Seagate Pipeline HD) drives and 1x 3tb WD Red.
  I also have a samsung EVO 256 drive installed into the optical bay on top and the sata cable runs into the port for the optical drive. Absolutely no bios hacks needed here, drive went in, was found and installed windows (SATA II speeds though).
  
  The only downside to the optical drive space is that it contains a 4 pin floppy power connector which won't plug straight into a SATA drive - so i got a 2.5" removable drive bay and mounted in the optical bay (did require some cutting - made it from a 9.5mm to 11.5mm)- but once the drive went in, it looks like it belongs.
  
  I have a drive pool (provided by stablebit) that is really worth the money ($20 i think). Basically gives the same functionality as WHS 2003 - but with some significantly performance increases (can saturate 1Gb Network), and it works on windows 7.
  
  The memory upgrades to 16GB without issue (only need ECC ram)
  
  The CPU is also upgradeable, which is why you should get the cheapest version of this server. I was able to slot a Xeon E3-1265L V2 2.50GHz!! (Quad core hyper threaded 45w - and still within the thermal constraints). Again, just took the old CPU out and put the new one in - booted no problem.
  
  Video is being supplied via a slim ATI Radeon 6450 - and the audio is out via HDMI - again - no issues whatsoever.
  
  Inside there is a USB port that is hosting a bluetooth adapter (keyboard from the lounge) and a Micro SD slot as well (operating systems can be installed here). If you are using windows 7 and you want to keep the drives removable (and still be able to boot) you do need to installed the boot part of windows on to it and make it your primary boot device. Otherwise you don't need to worry about it.
  
  It draws about 45-60 watts of power (we are in darwin - it tends to run hotter) at full load (playing Bluray + streaming to another HTPC), not sure on what it is at rest.
  
  The end result is that i have about 9tb of storage - a 250gb boot/recorder drive and an attractive device that sits in the lounge. From streaming netflix to watching 3d bluray on the tv, no issues whatsoever. I did fine the original Celeron processor acceptable (it passes the wife friendly factor) but the Xeon makes a huge noticeable difference.
  
  It has 2 USB3 ports on the back that i am probably going to populate with a USB disk enclosure (5 bay JBOD probably). And using Drivepool - add them in.
  - test34forone on 30/09/2013 - 18:33
    
    +1
    
    +1 for helping me pull the trigger. I'm going to primarily use it for network storage, a minecraft server and play around with ESXi to see how what this machine can do.
    - maca667 on 30/09/2013 - 19:24
      
      +3
      
      ESXI can be installed on to the Micro SD card and booted from there :)
  - 2pro4sho on 01/10/2013 - 11:12
    
    Thanks for detailing your experience. I have used a NAS before but never a microserver. I'm assuming these do not come with any software (only trial license maybe). What do you have installed? Best place to get it? Also, what software do you use to make it a media server? Oh and what is drive pool, why use it over raid?
    - maca667 on 01/10/2013 - 12:41
      
      +2
      
      There is only the iLo software (which is for remote management). The version you get with the server (standard) is more or less, useless. You can get a trial of the advanced version from HP (60 days) which is useful and allows for full remote desktop (you can also install the OS over it).
      At the moment it is running Windows 7, i have found that i prefer the media center in windows to XBMC (live TV being the biggie here).
      Other items installed is Total Media Theater 6 (for bluray playback (including menu)). and Media Browser (server and client). Media browser alone makes the whole windows 7 experience worth while. Remote Potato (with matching android client) means that i can record a TV show from my phone if i am not home.
      
      When it comes to RAID, vs Drivepool.
      The Drivepool team is the one that had worked on the original drivepool tech that was in Windows Home Server 2003 that had allowed multiple disks to be spanned. The biggest advantage is you can mix drives (hence why i have 3x2tb and 1x3tb), and mix tech (SATA, iSCSI and USB) and it just adds them all into the pool. Adding drives to the pool is a painless experiance that is self explanatory and when a drive fails, it is easy to remove them as well and put another in its place (had to replace a 2tb that failed for the 3tb WD red). There is no performance hit VS RAID.
      You can also control redundancy (set a folder to be duplicated across multiple drives).
      My experience with software RAID has been a mixed bag, but i found that recovering a broken RAID5 array to be painful (and hardware dependent). With drivepool the files are spanned across the drives in an accessible (although hidden) folder - making recovery a lot easier for when something does go wrong. Drivepool is file spanned (i.e. File 1 is on drive 1, file 2 on drive 2, etc. RAID breaks the files up File 1 might be on drives 1, 2, 3 - If drive 2 fails on RAID you may lose the file (not factoring in redundancy), if drive 2 fails on drivepool, you only lose file 2.) - remember with hard drives, it is not if they fail, but when.
    - 2pro4sho on 01/10/2013 - 13:32
      
      Maca667 thanks again! Awesome info for a novice that I am. I did a bit of investigating and found that WHS 2011 is cheap @ ~$50. How do you think this would compare to Win 7? Also, when you want to watch a movie off your box do you play directly off it or use a streaming device with a remote such as wdtv? (Edit: Sorry didn't see above. So you use mediabrowser plugin? Do you control your device just with a mouse?)
    - maca667 on 01/10/2013 - 14:57
      
      +1
      
      WHS 2011 is based on server 2008 R2, and has the usual pros and cons with server software. It is pretty good at setting up for network shares and internet shares (probably the best for backing up computers as well).
      When it comes to functioning as a htpc/media pc, i have found it lacking. You could probably get XBMC running on it (and plex) in client mode, but from experiance running itunes on there is possible, but painful (i use to use apple TV's as media clients). IN the end i went from WHS to windows 7 and found it suited my needs a lot better.
      If i really needed WHS i would probably run it as a Virtual Machine on a windows 7 install. The media center to me is more important then the server.
      The box is plugged directly into the TV, and is set to automatically log in when it is powered up (not sure if you can do this with windows server?).
      I have a MCE infrared receiver and all that the wife needs to do to watch TV is push the Live TV button on the remote (Logitech Harmony 600).
      There is a Bluetooth mini keyboard and trackpad for when keyboard is needed (not often).
      My former HTPC was a mac mini (2010). It now sits in the bedroom and the Microserver is out in the lounge. With media browser (version 3 - still in Beta), you have a server/client (similar to plex), and i install the server (and client) on to the Microserver and just the client on the Mac mini. The mac mini then accesses the Microserver and the whole lot streams over wireless (including Blu ray).
drewbie on 30/09/2013 - 14:17

I ordered the N54L from the recent UMart deal yesterday. Luckily it's only $10 difference between the 2 deals, so I'm not going to be fussed about it.
ash7503 on 30/09/2013 - 14:33

Hi guys,

I need some advice here. I need to "something" to store & stream movies over to my ps3 + play movies without the ps3 to my tv through HDMI.

I currently have external drives (4GB + 2GB) and 1TB & 2TB bare drives (in a usb 2.0 hdd dock).

What should I get: microserver or NAS? Advantages/disadvantages?

I think you guys would have some similar setups out there already. Pls advise. Thanks and cheers
- SBOB on 30/09/2013 - 14:42
  
  +2
  
  play movies without the ps3 to my tv through HDMI.
  
  rules out the NAS option..
  - wicklow on 01/10/2013 - 08:57
    
    How come? Do u mean rules out above NAS options or all? Cos I think the QNAP TS-469L does this…
- salem on 30/09/2013 - 14:50
  
  +1
  
  N54l with the extra graphics card listed above, and jam all your HDDs in it. I have something similar. As long as your TV or amp can take the audio over the HDMI (unlike my pos old amp which will only pass through the video and ignore the audio), you should be good. Might need some extra ram though. I have mine with Ubuntu installed on the USB port on the mobo, plus a 4tb, 2tb and 1tb HDD in the bays for storing the data. Can play back 720p mkvs fine using xbmc while it torrents away in the background. (My TV is only 720p so I haven't tried much 1080p content).
  - mily on 01/10/2013 - 09:40
    
    +1
    
    No problem playing back 1080p on N40L+5450(?) graphic card, takes about 15~20% CPU time.
- atlas on 30/09/2013 - 15:00
  
  If you want to play without the PS3 then definitely the microserver.
  
  I have mine hooked up as a HTPC with graphics card installed directly to my TV. Previously I also had it streaming 1080p to my PS3 as well.
  - ash7503 on 30/09/2013 - 16:20
    
    Since I am not torrenting on this micro-server (and it will be turned off each time when not in use), is this just like desktop pc then? I can the play the movies directly to the TV.
    
    Which OS in on your HTPC? Looking at the micro-server HTPC option, any ideas of what else hardware/software I need to get?
    - salem on 30/09/2013 - 16:35
      
      +1
      
      The N40/54L don't have audio. And they only have a vga (d-sub, old style) out. So if you get the graphics card mentioned above, you can get audio and video over hdmi.
      
      and yes, it's just like a desktop pc. stick in normal (non-ecc) ram if you want to ditch the meagre 2gb ECC it comes with. Install any OS you want. Openelec is basically pure xbmc if it really is only doing HTPC. But if you might want some other linux like Ubuntu if you want to use it like a PC for web browsing etc some of the time.
    - atlas on 01/10/2013 - 13:34
      
      +1
      
      Yes it is for all intents and purposes a desktop pc. What makes it special is the compact form factor, the low power consumption, the 4 easily-accessibly hard drive bays, and of course the price.
      
      The trade-off is the modest CPU, and limited expandability.
      
      For a HTPC, you will need to use the expansion slot for a low-profile graphics card to get proper video/audio out.
      
      You can install any OS that you like. I have Windows 8 on mine.
busterau on 30/09/2013 - 14:34

+1

Thumbs up on the price of the Gen 8.

It's a shame the deals on the previous models are not as good as they once were, by no means SE fault just reminiscing :)
winstonlin on 30/09/2013 - 14:57

bought Gen 8. being waiting for several weeks.. hope to get it soon..
303-Acid on 30/09/2013 - 15:18

I've also ordered a Gen 8. Great price, cheaper that my previous cancelled order due to a code error. :) This will be a nice replacement of my ageing N36L.
- Store RepShoppingExpress @ Shopping Express on 30/09/2013 - 15:26
  
  :)
Adster01 on 30/09/2013 - 15:35

Awesome price on the G8! I paid $100 more than that :( just shipped today…
- Adster01 on 30/09/2013 - 15:58
  
  +1
  
  Time to order another G8 I think. Thanks rep!
  
  :)
Mikeologos on 30/09/2013 - 15:44

Amazing price on the G8 Microserver! Any chance of a discount on the AC66U to sweeten the deal?
- Store RepShoppingExpress @ Shopping Express on 30/09/2013 - 16:19
  
  AC66U price reviewed. Promotion price ends today.
  
  Regards
  SE
rewstar on 30/09/2013 - 15:51

Is it possible to add an audio card to any of the HP microservers with an optical out port as well as the video card?
If so can anyone recommend one.

Cheers
- Adster01 on 30/09/2013 - 16:01
  
  G8's only have one PCI-e slot. The G7's have two, if that helps you out.
- salem on 30/09/2013 - 16:36
  
  the second pci slot in the n40/54l is only half length, and it's really cramped. I went with a usb soundcard dongle to avoid the potential hassles with finding something that fit.
- Save Medicare on 30/09/2013 - 16:47
  
  Most people use the PCIE x1 slot for a wifi card, but you can also put a sound card in there if you want.
  
  source: i have a HD6450 and a 802.11n card in my n40L
daewoo on 30/09/2013 - 16:09

Bought a G8 after purchasing the OfficeWorks iPad last night. OzBargain is an expensive habit.
pennyless on 30/09/2013 - 16:47

Really want to buy one of these but still confused why people do. I have a dozen PCs and laptops lying around and one as a 24/7 Usenet machine I use as a network share.It has 15tb and doubles as a gaming console on my 65" TV. Again I really want to buy a server, could someone assist me justifying a purchase other than getting some experience with non windows networking. I really want some benefit from buying a $350 gen 8!
Thabnks for any help.
- Save Medicare on 30/09/2013 - 16:50
  
  I run windows server 2012 datacenter on my N40L, and I use it for sabnzbd, MPC (K-Lite) and of course for network share. Windows Server will allow you to link up more than one machine for network storage seemlessly so buying a N40L box could help you add more drives?.
  - pennyless on 30/09/2013 - 17:36
    
    Thanks for the advice, would installing Server 2012 on a spare pc achieve similar results? It seems the tradeoff is more power consumption for additional functionality in using a pc as a server instead of a dedicated server. Although the cost of buying a server and have it running on as well as a pc evens the benefits.
SmashedMango on 30/09/2013 - 17:22

Does anyone know if the N40L Nas can be used as a Linux box powering an email server?
- Agret on 01/10/2013 - 03:47
  
  +1
  
  Definitely, it is not a NAS. It is a MicroServer. This means you can run any x86 operating system you want on it.
andyken on 30/09/2013 - 17:51

rep any cheap DDR3 for N40L?
- digitalaxon on 01/10/2013 - 13:19
  
  I noticed memory taking another jump the last 24 hours after the Samsung factory fire in China a few weeks ago - no doubt an excuse for the market to jack up prices… <rant>Back in my days you could buy 32gb (8Gb x 4) for $189!… No wait, that was only 9 months ago…. Now its almost doubled.</rant>
  
  PCCG has 1333Mhz ram (GSkill that works well in the N36/54 series as 8Gb x 2) for approximately ~$165 last time I checked… Centrecom has 8gb 1333Mhz Strontium for $72 a stick so $144 + delivery for 16gb in a N36/N54 (not sure about G8 compatibility). The Strontium was only $62 two weeks ago..
  
  Centrecom says 1yr but the strontium packaging says lifetime … 16Gb Strontium works well in my N54L..
  
  Get 1600 if you can for ability to re-use in other systems down the track, as I believe server (G7 series) runs at 1333..
  
  Hope that helps - to anyone reading this, memory is expected to stay high and increase until the end of the year so if you find someone with old stock for a cheap price, my recommendation is to buy it unless you are happy to wait until probably mid next year (and/or after a stock market correction/fiscal issue) till the price drops back down to reasonable levels (that said, some might say memory is still cheap compared to what we were paying a decade ago based on price/capacity)….
granthamana on 30/09/2013 - 18:03

Thanks, picked up a N40L
mxlegend99 on 30/09/2013 - 18:17

+2

For anyone looking at the N40L / N54L as a HTPC and/or NAS. They are plenty powerful to be used as a server and run something like XBMC. Just throw in a cheap video card with HDMI and you're all set. I have the N40L and while it takes a bit to load at times. The actual performance in programs is fine. Can play 1080p content perfectly.

Only downside was a limit of 4 hard drives. But you can throw in a USB3.0 card and add some USB hard drives if you don't want to stuff around with losing the optical drive port and getting creative to fit extra drives in. I haven't had any issues with USB hard drives yet. Tuck them away and you won't no any different to be honest.
- Save Medicare on 30/09/2013 - 18:26
  
  Up to 10 drives can be used if you do a mod to put 6x 2.5in drives in the ODD bay.
- Bystander on 01/10/2013 - 07:25
  
  +2
  
  Does the microserver take long to set up including XBMC? Is it easy to do remote access or act as a personal cloud server? And does it need much maintenance of any kind or is it set and forget? Oh and lastly will it work with a Harmony remote?
  - rekabkram on 01/10/2013 - 12:11
    
    +3
    
    Does the microserver take long to set up including XBMC?
    
    Yes, there are guides around but if you've never set up a computer from scratch before then this may not be the time to start. Installing XBMC is dead easy though but you may spend many hours tweaking it to get the skins the way you want them, getting the banners 'just right' and installing add ons.
    
    Is it easy to do remote access or act as a personal cloud server?
    
    Never attempted and to be honest why would you want to set up a 'cloud server' if your using it to store your info then use it as a NAS if you want to put pictures up then just use one of the cloud servers that are available, many of them even offer free services.
    
    If you just want it for a media box that can be accessed from different rooms then yes it will work great, even better if you want to get a few raspberry pi's and run them as XBMC clients attached to your Microserver although XBMC on raspberry pi can be glitchy.
    
    And does it need much maintenance of any kind or is it set and forget?
    
    The same as any other computer, if it's hacked (read: rushed) together without care for future ease of use then it's going to be a pain in the ass. If it is set up right first time and not messed with (read: use a different computer for your 'internet activities') then it's going to get screwed quickly. If other people around you that aren't as computer literate are going to be using it or people who think they are computer literate so they start messing with settings then just stick XBMC in kiosk mode and only tweak and adjust when you can do it in peace.
    
    Oh and lastly will it work with a Harmony remote?
    
    It will so long as you get a USB receiver otherwise it would be the same as pointing a harmony at your doorbell and wondering why it's not ringing. However for ease of use I highly recommend the windows media player remotes.
    
    Like this (not the cheapest just the first one I found)
    http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/media-center-remote-control
    
    I also don't get why you were negged for asking fairly reasonable questions.
    - Bystander on 01/10/2013 - 16:56
      
      Thanks very much for the detailed response rekabkram.
      
      Doesn't really sound like what I'm after. I don't want to spend much time at all so I might get a Synology or Buffalo as above and load something like Plex on it.
      
      Cheers.
- sane on 02/10/2013 - 20:49
  
  +1
  
  Just to say, it you are looking at the homebrew xbmc/HTPC aim - I'd seriously look at using the N40L/N54L as a NAS, and connecting a RaspPi near the TV to run xbmc.
  
  You get a number of advantages that come from splitting duties, and it appears the RaspPi is the most used xbmc platform in the world.
  
  http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/4986
  - drewbie on 03/10/2013 - 11:04
    
    Hmmm, I had heard there were more optimisations being done for the RPi. The video looks totally usable and would easily pass the wife factor. I don't think you can get a cheaper, lower power media center box than an RPi. Or can you?
hamwhisperer on 30/09/2013 - 20:24

+2

I still can't believe HP "removed" the ability to cram up to 6 disks in the new 8 series.
I've got a SATA multiplexer thing in mine and have 6x3TB WD Greens and a 128gb Plextor SSD boot drive, 18TB (no raid, very little of it is actually important) I love my N54L - just wish I could've got a beefier CPU.
robbo452 on 30/09/2013 - 22:35

+1

just bought the HP gen 8 and the seagate nas 2gb. so silly that they don't let you get a quantity of two for the harddrives….kinda defeats the purpose of having raid. now gota get it elsewhere.

does anyone know hwere the best place to get ram for this is? cheers :)
bostos on 01/10/2013 - 00:34

does the gen8 support non-ecc ram like the older models?
[Deactivated] on 01/10/2013 - 07:43

+1

Any update on the wrong item that you sent? #N00134821

As you can imagine it does get a bit tiresome when you have to wait over 10 days to get the item you ordered.
- Store RepShoppingExpress @ Shopping Express on 01/10/2013 - 09:56
  
  +1
  
  Hi sletts,
  
  Had a checked with the CS team and seemed you have not responded to our request sent on 30-9-13?
  Can you check the ticket again and confirm with us about sending the replacement at your earliest convenience?
  
  Regards
  SE
atlas on 01/10/2013 - 10:12

Hmmm very tempted to upgrade my N40L to the Gen8.

Running sabnzbd+, Sickbeard and CouchPotato sometimes gives my CPU a bit of grief and brings XBMC to its knees. Could probably work around it with some configuration but the extra CPU overhead could be useful!
[Deactivated] on 01/10/2013 - 11:29

Hi Guys
I need a NAS and also something fast enough to run as a HTPC with Bluray ISO playback capabilities through XBMC etc…

Do I build a dedicated PC or will any of the above do the job?

Thanks
- grammarstickler on 01/10/2013 - 11:59
  
  I'd be interested in hearing opinions on this too…
  
  I was recently in the same position and opted for the PC option; the biggest advantage I could see for devices like these is that they look better, use slightly less power, and in some cases run quieter. If you are going to build a PC, Whirlpool has a good guide as to components.
unicorn888 on 01/10/2013 - 11:58

Hi Rep,
Need to confirm the shipping cost to Brisbane. I tried to buy Gen8+ Seagate 2TB, the cart said the shipping is $12.05 not like you said $10
- PissLUR on 01/10/2013 - 12:02
  
  $10 is the average.
- Store RepShoppingExpress @ Shopping Express on 01/10/2013 - 12:48
  
  +1
  
  Hi unicorn888,
  
  Mentioned on post: Shipping starts $8.95 and averages $10 Australia Wide
  $12.05 sounds right for Brisbane.
  
  Regards
  SE
muzzy1907 on 01/10/2013 - 12:28

+2

Hi OP,

Similarly I'm waiting on a refund and return label for order # N00133343b

I was sent the wrong GPU twice. It does not fit in N40L.
Can you please follow up my request? Nobody is checking the ticketing system…

Thanks.
- Store RepShoppingExpress @ Shopping Express on 01/10/2013 - 12:47
  
  +1
  
  Hi muzzy1907,
  
  Already replied to you on another post. CS will be in contact with you shortly, please check the ticket for updates.
  
  Regards
  SE
  - snvl on 01/10/2013 - 14:12
    
    another one waiting ticket #21995
    - Store RepShoppingExpress @ Shopping Express on 01/10/2013 - 16:32
      
      no worries, will get CS to follow up on this one too.
    - bl0407 on 01/10/2013 - 23:14
      
      another one warranty ticket #21990
  - muzzy1907 on 03/10/2013 - 13:16
    
    Hi SE,
    
    Ticket was updated by staff but not addressing my request of a refund. Instead the item was sent to me. I have updated the ticket but again no response for last 2 days…
    
    This issue has been going on for 3 weeks now.
  - muzzy1907 on 03/10/2013 - 13:30
    
    Hi SE,
    
    Ticket was updated by staff but not addressing my request of a refund. Instead the item was sent to me. I have updated the ticket but again no response for last 2 days…
    
    This issue has been going on for 3 weeks now.
Tickstar on 01/10/2013 - 13:51

Hi Guys,

I'm trying to decide between a Synology NAs and a HP G8 Microserver. I have pretty basic requirements in that I am after a media server to centrally store photos & music for access from multiple devices (e.g my Wife's ipad and Son's laptop). I'd also like to store movies and stream them to my TV via my WDTV live +. Also would like to d/l torrents directly from the box

A friend of mine here at work has the Synology ds413 and gave me a look at the OS the other day. It seems right up my alley as it's very easy to set up and very user friendly which is what I'm after seeing as my wife and kids will be accessing it.

I'm assuming based on above comments a microserver is harder to set-up and operate ongoing? Or is there a way to get the Synology OS onto a microserver?

Any advice would be gratly appreciated!

Thanks
- snvl on 01/10/2013 - 14:09
  
  You can install XPEnology on N40L, not sure about the N54L nor Gen8. XPEnology is the 'opensource/hacked' version of synology
- Vortex99 on 01/10/2013 - 14:20
  
  Then if HP option wins, choose the cheaper option and save $120. Go the N40L instead of Gen 8. Doesn't need much processor grunt to download and serve files.
  I started with a 2 bay Synology and once I discovered the HP, bought 2 and now the Synology is hardly turned on.. to be repurposed to relatives :)
casval on 01/10/2013 - 14:12

Umart has the HP n54L on special for $269 pickup. Might be better off doing that if you are close to a Umart, no waiting and probably $1 cheaper shipped.

I bought off shopping express before I found that special. I would've walked instore otherwise. My shipping ended up being $12.05 to Melb. I could be setting it up right now.

This was posted 10 years 6 months 19 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

NAS SALE - HP MicroServer N40L $219, N54L $259, Gen 8 (G8) $349, Buffalo 4TB NAS $269 + Shipping

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