HP MediaSmart Server Wins Macworld ”Best of Show” Award

PALO ALTO, Calif., HP announced that the HP MediaSmart Server has been selected as a winner of Macworld’s annual ”Best of Show” awards during the 2009 Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco.

The awards are given by Macworld editors to honor products that push the boundaries of innovation, quality and overall creativity.

Based on the Microsoft Windows® Home Server platform, the HP MediaSmart Server ex485/ex487 is a central repository for automatically backing up and accessing digital music, videos, photos and documents from multiple computers on a home network.(1)

The MediaSmart Server, designed for use with both Windows and Mac computers, automatically organizes files across all PCs, streams media across a home network and the Internet,(2) and publishes photos to popular social networking and photo sharing sites.

“This award acknowledges the need for a home server that supports both Mac and Windows computers,” said Allen Buckner, marketing manager, Home Server business, HP. “The HP MediaSmart Server combines features and innovations that are ideal in mixed environments, giving consumers a simple, flexible and protected way to enjoy and share their valuable personal data.”

Pricing and availability

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the HP MediaSmart Server ex485 with 750 gigabytes of hard disk storage is $599, while the HP MediaSmart Server ex487 with 1.5 terabytes is $749.(3)

The HP MediaSmart Server can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Buy.com, Frys.com, HPshopping.com and NewEgg.com; it is expected to ship in the United States in February.

More information is available at www.hp.com/go/mediasmartserver or HP’s Macworld online press kit at www.hp.com/go/2009macworld.

About HP

HP, the world’s largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

(1) Wired or wireless home network required.
(2) Internet access required and sold separately
(3) Estimated U.S. retail prices. Actual prices may vary.