What Hi-Fi? Verdict
It isn't cheap, but this HP is a cracking NAS
Pros
- +
Well-built
- +
swappable hard disks
- +
four USB ports
- +
easy upgrades
- +
works with most devices
Cons
- -
Not the cheapest
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
This HP is a chunkier, more serious proposition than its rivals, and it works a treat.
The chassis is bigger, but it's far from huge, and it feels well-built. The reason for that extra girth becomes clear when you open the mesh ‘door' on the front of the unit: hidden within are four, easy-access hard drives.
Each of these has a capacity of 250GB, resulting in 1TB of useable storage space, or 500GB of ultra-safe data if you opt for a RAID 1 (backed-up) configuration.
These hard disks can be swapped for bigger drives. You could, if you so wished, put 1.5TB HDDs in each bay, giving you an impressively huge 6TB behemoth of a machine.
Even if you don't want to go that far, the upgrade and customisation options may still appeal.
There are four USB ports, which can be used to add external hard disks for backup or even more storage, or a printer that can then be shared across your network.
This NAS will work with anything
You can also install Logitech's Squeezebox Server software – and that completes the plays-with-everything package.
Whether it's Sonos, PS3, Xbox 360 or any other media streamer, the HP will almost certainly work with it.
The software can be used to automatically update the NAS, create and edit regular computer back-ups, and find and organise your media.
Add remote access via web browser and iPhone/Touch (courtesy of a free app), and you've got a complete package. The HP's not cheap, but it is clever.
