Microserver for small business, HP, Dell or other?

[timeshifter]

Have a client that is a small two-person bookkeeping service. They're currently sharing QuickBooks and Peachtree on a peer to peer basis. Would like to get a server. Would like something small and quiet.

I have installed a handful of HP Microservers over the years and like them. Is that still a good way to go? I think a Dell Poweredge T30 might be a good fit too, but they're a little bulky by comparison.

I might end up going with Dell simply because their website acts like they want to sell the system. Every time I've gone looking for HP Microservers lately it's like pulling teeth.

http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-pr...20l-v2-dual-core-(2-core)-230-ghz-p-vv0448--1

For software I'll likely go Server Essentials. A NAS or any other OS is out (I think) because of QuickBooks requirements (and likely Peachtree too).

 

[freedomit]

Just seen that a brand new Microserver Gen10 has been released [emoji1]

 

[timeshifter]

Just seen that a brand new Microserver Gen10 has been released [emoji1]

Yep, like pulling teeth. I went to hp.com and tried to browse for it. What was I thinking going to the manufacturer's site to find it.

A quick Google search of Microserver Gen10 turns up this:

https://www.hpe.com/us/en/product-c...pe-proliant-microserver-gen10.1009955168.html

Getting warmer.

 

[Markverhyden]

Take a look at the WD Sentinel series. They come with M$ Storage Server as part of the package. Might be a better deal than buying a Micro server and then the OS on top. I got a DX4000 some years ago, 2 x 2tb, and have been very happy with it. Just using it for storage but has domain capabilities as well as the workstation backup features that comes with Storage Server

 

[timeshifter]

Can't believe I keep trying to pursue this product from HP. I click the Buy Now button on that page and I get a spinning logo and a grayed out page - on 4 different browsers across 2 computers.

 

[timeshifter]

Arrggghhh

 

[Markverhyden]

I'm not one to buy the new thing for production.

 

[Frick]

Lenovo ThinkServer TS 150 would be perfect. The TS 140 would work if you are ok with last year's model. Be sure to get one with a Xeon processor.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I recently did an HP MicroServer for a small law firm, 3-4 users, just O365, Quickbooks, file storage, a network MFP. No other local apps. Had an i5 and 16 gigs of RAM, Server 10 Essentials, I used 4x SSDs...doing 2x RAID 1 volumes. Since the drive bays of the HP Mini I used only had the 3.5" hot swap bays, I had to get adapters for the 2.5" SSDs and I picked up the Western Digital IcePack adapters...worked great!

Since they're currently peer to peer don't forget to check the workstation OS's and ensure they're Pro, and no Windows Homeless versions...

 

[drnick5]

The HP Microservers are pretty decent in my experience, I have an older one running Freenas at my house that been up and running for over 5 years with no problems. When gen 9 came out, I noticed they raised the prices quite a bit on them, so they are sort of expensive for what you get. A Lenovo T140 is a better value in my opinion, but obviously a larger tower unit. Either one is perfect for a small business operation.

 

[Tyler Meek]

I recommend Dell to all my clients and it's really because they have a great NBD warranty (Pro Support)