Updated: 12/28/08










 

Mike's Wish List
(Products & Gadgets That I Like!)

EX475 HP MediaSmart Server  <-- GET THIS!
OK, this thing just rocks!  The EX470 comes with 1 SATA 500GB drive, the EX475 comes with 2.  That's the only difference between them, so if you find a great price on the EX470, buy it and add the second drive yourself!  Quick and easy setup!  It backs up all of your networked PCs, provides centralized data storage, folder duplication... works fully as advertised.  VERY COOL!  And the price is great!  I added 2 750GB drives, and now have about 2TB of networked storage.  It also streams your I-Tunes collections... from all your home computers... merges them together... and makes them available to all!  And don't forget the web access capabilities!  Very neat!  New OS upgrade (automatic) includes the capability to backup the server itself!  I connected a USB drive, was immediately asked if I wanted to expand total storage, or use this new device to backup the existing data.  I selected backup... and about an hour later, I removed the USB drive for safe storage in a safe.  I reconnected the device a few days later, and it automatically reviewed the changes since the last backup, and proceeded to back up the 22 new files added... very quickly!  A complete solution!  Very cool!

Available from HP:  http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?template_type=product_detail&product_code=GG796AA%23ABA&jumpid=oc_R1002_USENC-001_HP%20EX475%20MediaSmart%20Server&lang=en&cc=us
Price:  About $550 for EX475, about $400 for EX470

Apple iPod Touch
Very cool device!  Got mine for Christmas 2008... thanks Terry!  What a neat device.  As for the Apps available, be sure to get Apple's "Remote" application that lets you wirelessly control your iTunes collection in your house.  Very cool!!  Still finding cool things you can do with this thing.  I wish it included a camera for still and video, but I'm sure that's coming (hey manufacturers... if it's handheld, it should have a camera!).

Available from Apple, http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/
Price:  About $499 for the 32GB model
 

Sonos
Available from Sonos, http://www.sonos.com/
Price:  About $1000 for starter systems, 1 controller + 2 zone players
Finally!  An awesome product that allows your to stream your I-Tunes music from your PC... to anywhere in your house... wirelessly!  The zone players connect to your existing stereo systems... or are available with a speaker system.  The controller is very iPod-ish.  Great idea!