ASUS TS MINI HOME SERVER REVIEW

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Please feel free to post your questions here:

Review can be found here:

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/asus_ts_mini_home_server_review/
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Xal · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:17 am Post subject:

Nice one Jackie

Looks like there is a VGA port on the motherboard thats blocked off by the backing plate, could you confirm? It would probably just be an integrated GMA950 like you find in most netbooks but for a techie at heart it would be good to know you can hook up a monitor if you wanted to.

Interesting machine. Not sure if it will catch on though seeing as a netbook can be had for around the same pricetag and can be more usefull to the non enthusiast.
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Jackie · TweakNOOB Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 20

Yes, there is a VGA port on the motheboard. So I suppose if you really wanted to, you could hook it up to a monitor. The I/O plate does completely block it though so it would require either modding the current plate or moving everything to a new case. With that said, I'm not sure I'd be willing to take on either task.

Personally I don't think home servers can be compared to netbooks. Yes they are around the same price, but they serve different purposes and therefore attract different kinds of buyers. The home server is a result of the evolution of how computers are used in the home. 10 years ago I would've thought the concept of a home server was pretty ridiculous, but not now. Many households have more than just one computer these days so it's only natural that servers would make their way in to centralize everyone's shared pictures, music, etc. Netbooks on the other hand are usually bought for reasons other than storage and media streaming. I have one and I use it a lot, but I don't rely on it for backups or anything like that. It goes on trips with me and is used for internet surfing on the couch...that's about it.

Xal · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:42 am Post subject:

Good to hear about the VGA port.

I think I was unclear in my last post. My point was, on a budget, I would get a netbook over a home server

A lot of people would likely do the same. I am not saying it isn't usefull, especially in a home with 3 or more PCs/laptops etc on the go and generally, if you have multiple PCs and laptops you should be able to afford one of these. Also, bare in mind that neat as this thing is, it isn't needed to have a home network, I have had up to 9 PCs at home networked at any given time and never set up a home server. I am a tech though so I can set up shared storage etc, something not many regular users could manage without a tech's help.

I guess time will tell if the idea of a home server takes off beyond a niche market. Nice review though and its good to know that even with the economy such as it is, innovation is still going on in the industry and new products are hitting the stores.
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

In my opinion, a home server with an atom configuration can't be really compared to a netbook.

The Home Server is more targeted towards being a low power media platform you can tuck away somewhere and not have to worry about.

I know I wouldn't want my netbook to be a home server just because I want it on the go.

I guess an Atom powered net-top would be a closer comparison.
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Xal · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:45 am Post subject:

Argh, think before I post lol

My comment simply means I personally wouldn't bother with a home server and would rather have a netbook which would be more usefull to me on a day to day basis (as a netbook not a server)

OK, enough derailing the thread hehe.
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nikozan · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Apr 2011 Posts: 1

For server freeBSD is just need that VGA to be on motherbord. )