HP Storage

The Bottom Line: The HP Media Vault MV2120 is a two-bay NAS drive that novice networkers will find simple to set up and use. While it offers flexible expansion options with a free internal drive bay and two USB ports, the intrusive Media Vault software and lack of a print server dampen our enthusiasm a bit.

Specs: HP Media Vault Mv2120 - Network drive, 500 GB, PC, 4 pin USB Type A, RJ-45, Removable, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: HP's Media Vault is a storage drive that offers an easy way to back up files from your networked PCs, along with the ability to stream your digital media files to other networked devices in your home. We really like this drive.

Specs: HP Media Vault MV2010 - Network drive, 300 GB, PC, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: HP's Media Vault is a storage drive that offers an easy way to back up files from your networked PCs, along with the ability to stream your digital media files to other networked devices in your home. We really like this drive.

Specs: HP Media Vault MV2020 - Network drive, 500 GB, PC, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: HP's Media Vault is a storage drive that offers an easy way to back up files from your networked PCs, along with the ability to stream your digital media files to other networked devices in your home. We really like this drive.

Specs: HP StorageWorks Media Vault Pro mv2040 - NAS server, 1 TB, PC, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

The Bottom Line: This external drive is great for ripping DVDs but a tad slow when writing.

Specs: DVD±RW (+R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 8x (DVD-R) / 16x (DVD+R) / 2.4x (DVD+R DL), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: HP's innovative DVD Movie Writer dc3000 offers an easy route from VHS to DVD, and it's a decent burner to boot.

Specs: DVD+RW, 40x (CD) / 8x (DVD), 16x (CD) / 4x (DVD), 10x (CD) / 2.4x (DVD)

The Bottom Line: HP's replacement for the DVD200i is solid, if uninspiring. You get decent performance and features and superior support for a darn good price.

Specs: DVD+RW, 40x (CD) / 8x (DVD), 16x (CD) / 4x (DVD), 10x (CD) / 2.4x (DVD)

The Bottom Line: Though the compatibility of DVD+Rs with other hardware is still unproven, the DVD200i is a fast all-in-one optical drive and excellent for both backing up your system and for mastering DVDs.

Specs: DVD+RW, 32x (CD) / 8x (DVD), 12x (CD) / 2.4x (DVD), 10x (CD) / 2.4x (DVD)

The Bottom Line: The DVD100i is an excellent, speedy drive for backup or for authoring DVD movies that will work in newer players. However, it can't match a DVD-R drive for compatibility with older drives and players.

Specs: DVD+RW, 32x (CD) / 8x (DVD), 12x (CD) / 4x (DVD), 10x (CD) / 2x (DVD)

The Bottom Line: If you want a sturdy, external CD-RW drive, the HP CD Writer 8230e is affordable and offers a lot of bells and whistles.

Specs: CD-RW, 6x, 4x, 4x