Want to buy a Network Storage Drive

[istanbulbaby]

Hi guys

I have a simple(?) wi-fi set up at home - one laptop (Vista) and a PC (XP), both connected wirelessly. I allow sharing between the two computers and that works fine, except, of course, that the PC has to be switched on in order for us to access its data!

The 'simple' solution seems to me to be to buy an HDD for Network Storage and just have both computers access that. I plan to connect the HDD to my modem/router via ethernet cable.

The simple question is, does anyone recommend a particular HDD? I've done some research this morning and am leaning to either:

a. Buffalo LinkStation Live 500GB Shared Network Storage HS-DH500GL (£99.98 from Amazon)

b. Freecom External Network HDD 500GB USB2.0 LAN NAS Drive (£79.96 from Amazon)

Both seem reasonably priced and get good write-ups - I'm leaning towards the Buffalo. Does anyone have any thoughts or different recommendations? I reckon 500Gb is all I need for the time being and I'm not inclined to pay much more than £100...unless you advise otherwise!

 

[nietsloh]

Go with the Buffalo. Mostly good reviews for their products.

 

[Tidalcloud]

I am a fan of the HP Mediasmart Home Servers. Connect them to your router and you have a networked home server. 4 hot swappable internal hard drive bays, iTunes server, built in backup with raid for all connected pcs in the house. Nice.

 

[JohnWill]

I have the D-Link DNS-323, and I think it blows the doors off most of the inexpensive units on the market. In addition, there is now a new model, the DNS-321, that's even cheaper and apparently has the same performance, just omitted a couple of features that I personally wouldn't have missed. Currently, www.newegg.com has the D-Link DNS-321 for $129 (no drives).

 

[Tidalcloud]

I think you may have it JohnWill for the more inexpensive units. I personally like the step up to the 4-bay HP EX470 MediaSmart Server (500gb filling one bay) or the EX475 (1tb filling two with raid). At $499 and $639 (Amazon) respectively they are a bit more expensive but with four hot swappable bays, iTunes server and a host of other goodies I think it is worth it. On top of it all ... this baby is handsome.

 

[JohnWill]

Actually, the DNS-323 has an iTunes server as well, and it's a lot cheaper than those options.

Here's a complete review of the DNS-323: D-Link DNS-323: A brand-name NAS worth waiting for

 

[istanbulbaby]

Many thanks for your help, guys, but this is rather running away. I just want to centralise my laptop and PC's working files; I am not aiming to spend £250-£300. Thanks, anyway - I do appreciate your interest.

 

[Softies]

I have used a Coolmax Nas in the past. Not much for bells and whistles but it works well. The nice thing is it is IP based and does NOT require a client on the workstations.

Works well in conjunction w/ MS steady state.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=204055147&listingid=11310468&dcaid=17902

I paid 39.00 for the last one I bought at MicroCenter

 

[JohnWill]

£250-£300? I can't believe the D-Link DNS-321 costs anything close to that!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-D-Link-DN...hash=item330271203065&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177 £125, and just add any SATA drive or two.