HP has confirmed that the Mac side of things with the new HP MediaSmart Servers will be coming as an update to current MediaSmart Servers EX470 and EX475.  As seen on one of the HP microsites (flash info site).  http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/mediasmart-server/?jumpid=ex_r602_go/mediasmartserver#/HomeServerComparison/.

But the Media Collector and the Remote Media Streaming will not be included in the update that will be released later in the new year.

This being said if you are going to get the current HP MediaSmart servers on the cheap and don’t mind the less software features then go ahead, if you don’t have the skills to upgrade the RAM and the processor of the current servers then hold off and get the new updated ones in Jan/Feb 09.

HP has released information and details of the new MediaSmart Servers, these are the EX485 with 750GB hard drive and the EX487 with 1.5TB hard drive.  Both Servers will be released for pre-order in the United States of America from 5 January 2009 and will start to ship them at the start of February.  There is no details on when HP will release the new servers on this side of the pond (United Kingdom).  It seems that HP have done a great deal of work to get Time Machine for the Mac to work with the Home Server.

For more information on the Server, or want to read the first review of the Server, head over to We Got Served for their five part review:-

• http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/12/29/hands-on-hp-mediasmart-server-ex487-part-1/
• http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/12/29/hands-on-hp-mediasmart-server-ex487-part-2/
• http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/12/29/hands-on-hp-mediasmart-server-ex487-part-3/
• http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/12/29/hands-on-hp-mediasmart-server-ex487-part-4/
• http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/12/29/hands-on-hp-mediasmart-server-ex487-part-5/

However if you want to hold off to see what the next version of the Windows Home Server software will bring, then you may be waiting a long time.  That being said knowing my luck Microsoft will release the closed (Connect) beta sometime soon.

Most people that have been on the Official Microsoft Windows Home Server forums and sites that have a interest in the Home Server wants a basic edition and an advantage edition of WHS 2.

If Microsoft does do this would HP release a paid upgrade to the next version of WHS, all we have to do is wait and if enough people are asking for it then HP may offer that (like they did with the EX470 & EX475 upgrading the RAM by the customer not voiding the warranty).