Windows Home Server is at last available. The hardware/software solution HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server software, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com, Best Buy.com, Buy.com, Circuit City.com and CompUSA.com, Microsoft announced. Announced back in January at Consumer Electronics Show, Windows Home Server is ready to make its debut on the market.

Just as the name suggests, Windows Homer Server is a hardware and software solution for families who have more than one computer in the house and wish to store their data and access it easily from separate accounts.

The WHS originates from Charlie Kindel’s idea from 1999 (which is now general manager at Microsoft for WHS), which later transformed into project “Quattro” (in 2004). Kindel described Windows Home Server as “a labor of love for over 8 years”, and apparently he has won a bet with himself and his development team that the software application would ship in the first half of 2007.

During the 2-year beta-testing period, more than 100,000 engineers and developers have been involved and this should give us a hint on how important WHS is for Microsoft. The Redmond company targets a potential market of more than 50 million families out there, all in need of a central storage device where each member of the family can store pictures, personal files, movies, etc. and even back-up the content on their separate hard drives.

“Digital devices and content are everywhere in our day-to-day lives and they are more important all the time,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “With the launch of Windows Home Server, Microsoft and its partners are creating a new consumer product category that will help people keep their digital media safe and make it easier for them to enjoy it with friends and family.”

WHS does NOT require a mouse or a keyboard to run, but they are needed at install.

Other manufacturers readying Windows Home Server-based products include Fujitsu Siemens Computers with its SCALEO Home Server 1900; Iomega Corp. with the Iomega HomeCenter Server, which will ship with one 500GB hard drive and four “easy-swap” drive bays for storage expansion in early 2008; and Velocity with its Micro NetMagix HomeServer.

HP's MediaSmart Server is offered in a 500GB hard drive version for $599 and a 1TB model for $749.

“As more and more entertainment content goes digital, people increasingly want a simple way to access, store and enjoy the wide range of photos, personal videos, music and films they enjoy at home. HP and Microsoft have worked closely to bring to market a powerful, breakthrough solution for today’s digital lifestyle that lets people personalize the how, when and where of entertainment,” said John Orcutt, senior vice president of the Managed Home Business at HP.