Anyone using the MicroServer Gen8? Any feedback?

[Fezmid Reviews]

I wrote a review of the MicroServer Gen8 and overall I really like it.  Since I know that the comments for articles aren't the best place to share information and ask questions, I wanted to start a thread here too to keep the conversation going.

 

So has anyone purchased a Gen8 MicroServer yet?  Thoughts?  Pros/Cons?

 

Feedback:

Review of the related managed switch: https://www.neowin.net/news/review-hp-ps1810-8g-managed-switch-for-use-with-gen8-microserver

MicroServer Gen8 in Pictures: https://www.neowin.net/news/hp-proliant-microserver-gen8-in-pictures

Review of the Gen8 Server: https://www.neowin.net/news/review-hp-proliant-microserver-gen8

[+BudMan MVC]

Not as of yet - hoping to win it in the giveaway ;)

 

Please don't tell me that mvc's are not eligible for giveaways!

[JoseyWales]

Got me interested in doing a little upgrading. It's something I have been thinking about for awhile now.. I agreed about the remote costing extra, they should include that part at least.. It's a server.

[fusi0n]

Not as of yet - hoping to win it in the giveaway ;)

 

Please don't tell me that mvc's are not eligible for giveaways!

Good Luck :D

[+Fahim S. MVC]

I think it is too expensive for what it is.  Can almost build a comparable server for the same money.

[+BudMan MVC]

^ I see it for $404 free shipping at newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859108028

 

And includes free 32gb usb flash ;)  Can you build for cheaper?  And with that kewl looking case? ;)

[Roger H. Veteran]

Or 380 from Amazon.com (shipping brings it back up though).

http://www.amazon.com/HP-ProLiant-712317-001-Ultra-Server/dp/B00DDXS8C8/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A2Q6HH0Y8UFKRH

It shows the older picture sometimes but the Gen8 has the Celeron and dual gigabit ports.

There's also a Pentium version for a lil bit more.

[+Fahim S. MVC]

^ I see it for $404 free shipping at newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859108028

 

And includes free 32gb usb flash ;)  Can you build for cheaper?  And with that kewl looking case? ;)

 

I knew I'd get called on that statement.

 

Cheapest model I could find of the G8 is ?350, which is the Celeron G1610, 2GB RAM, no drives etc.

 

I specced a server with the same processor, equivalent motherboard (dual NIC), 2GB RAM, a 64GB mSATA disc, and a case with a 4 hot swap drive bays for ?320.  So yes, I could build for less.  Would it look as 'kewl'? Definitely not.

 

Compare this in the UK to the G7 which I bought for ?80 including rebates.

[+BudMan MVC]

Yeah the UK was getting the sweetest deal ever on the older versions..  I got my older version for like $279 which I thought was a great price.  But no where close to how cheap you could get them in the UK that is for sure.

 

I have my fingers crossed on the giveaway ;) hehehe

[neufuse Veteran]

I think it is too expensive for what it is.  Can almost build a comparable server for the same money.

it's not even comparable to something you can build... can you build a system with integerated lights out" nope... with all the other management features they have? not really...

[+Fahim S. MVC]

it's not even comparable to something you can build... can you build a system with integerated lights out" nope... with all the other management features they have? not really...

 

What I build would be my version of a similar specification for the bits I need, better in some places (the mSATA SSD) and worse in others (no ILO) - although I am not sure who from the target market would buy one of things and actually use the ILO.  If you care about such a feature, you typically buy a proper server.

 

Don't get me wrong - I don't want to sound like those that troll on Apple threads saying 'that Mac sucks because I can build one cheaper' - I am saying I wouldn't buy one because it provides no additional benefits to me to warrant the cost.

 

Yeah the UK was getting the sweetest deal ever on the older versions..  I got my older version for like $279 which I thought was a great price.  But no where close to how cheap you could get them in the UK that is for sure.

 

I have my fingers crossed on the giveaway ;) hehehe

 

The irony is the reason they sold so many G7s is because of the enthusiast market more than the SME sector.  I am also hoping I win - just because I wouldn't buy one, doesn't mean I don't want one!

[neufuse Veteran]

What I build would be my version of a similar specification for the bits I need, better in some places (the mSATA SSD) and worse in others (no ILO) - although I am not sure who from the target market would buy one of things and actually use the ILO.  If you care about such a feature, you typically buy a proper server.

 

Don't get me wrong - I don't want to sound like those that troll on Apple threads saying 'that Mac sucks because I can build one cheaper' - I am saying I wouldn't buy one because it provides no additional benefits to me to warrant the cost.

 

 

The irony is the reason they sold so many G7s is because of the enthusiast market more than the SME sector.  I am also hoping I win - just because I wouldn't buy one, doesn't mean I don't want one!

iLO is nice for a home user too, you never have to physically touch your server.. so I'd never say there is really no use for iLO or anything like that... the whole point of putting it on here is so a home user can have it at an affordable price... heck we have had iLO on our HP servers for a very long time now... it's nice to have, and a nice extra for a home user who wants to throw the server in a basement or something else and have it out of sight

[Fezmid Reviews]

iLO is nice for a home user too, you never have to physically touch your server.. so I'd never say there is really no use for iLO or anything like that... the whole point of putting it on here is so a home user can have it at an affordable price... heck we have had iLO on our HP servers for a very long time now... it's nice to have, and a nice extra for a home user who wants to throw the server in a basement or something else and have it out of sight

Exactly - that's what I do with my servers, throw them in a closet in the basement.  I currently have a crappy monitor next to them, and if I have an issue, I have to go downstairs, plug in the monitor, sit on the floor with a keyboard and diagnose. (yes, I know, First World Problem :D ). With the MicroServer, I could do all of the maintenance from my main desktop - MUCH nicer setup and it's awesome to have that functionality.

 

If you don't care about that (ie: you have the box under your desk, connected up with a KVM), maybe building your own is the way to go... Maybe...  But it really is a sweet system, and even better once you pair it with the managed switch that can see the health of the server, tell you the iLO address, etc.  Overall pretty sweet.

[riahc3]

Hello,

If BudMan is eligible, Neowin should problably just give it to him. Not only has he solved COUNTLESS problems for members, he always (in his own personal way and attitude :p ) helped.

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

Hello,

If BudMan is eligible, Neowin should problably just give it to him. Not only has he solved COUNTLESS problems for members, he always (in his own personal way and attitude :p ) helped.

+1 Couldn't agree more, he would likely use it to help members solve future problems anyway!

[+BudMan MVC]

That sounds like a plan!! I agree, and for sure would be used to help people with their problems.

So who do I need to send my address to for the shipping ;)

[Praetor]

lol

 

now really, it would be very nice to give helpful members some prices for their technical expertise and knowledge; some Prometric vouchers (for any exam at choice or a selection of exams of a given theme, like Windows Server or Desktop Support), some hardware related stuff (switches, wifi APs) and more, since this is a Windows centric website (Windows 8.1 license, Windows Server 2012 R2, Office 365, etc.). It could have a top 10 of helpful posters every month and every month or so some prize would be given: more incentives, more traffic drawn for the site (from peps looking for help)... you guys get the picture.

 

It's not that expensive and it's a recognition from the community.