Introduction

Buffalo's routers have always wowed this writer, especially the WHR-G54S. However, this time around, Buffalo sent ThinkComputers a different kind of networking product: the LinkStation, Buffalo's foray into the network-attached storage device market. Buffalo markets the LinkStation EZ to the home user and touts its easy setup and backup software. ThinkComputers investigates.

Features & Specifications

LAN Interface
Standard Compliance: IEEE802.3ab / IEEE802.3u / IEEE802.3 Standard (1000BASE-T / 100BASE-TX / 10BASE-T)
Data Transfer Rates: 10 / 100 / 1000 Mbps
Connector Type: RJ-45
Number of Ports: 1

Internal Hard Drives
Number of Drives: 1
Drive Interface: SATA
Hard Drive Sizes: 500GB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM

Others
Dimensions (WxHxD in.): 6.5 x 9.5 x 8.0
Weight (lbs): 2.8
Power Consumption (Watts): Average 14 W
Operating Environment (Fahrenheit): 41-95
Setup Utility OS Support: Windows Operating Systems
Client OS Support: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OSX or later
Power Supply: internal, AC100V 50/60 Hz

Packaging

The box of the LinkStation EZ is decorate in Buffalo's traditional red, white, and gray. Its front is very simplistic, with a picture of the unit and the product name. The rear touts the simple setup process in four steps: plug it in, install the software, connect, and share.

The device is well-packed in cardboard. Inside the box was the LinkStation EZ, power cables, a manuals with information about the backup software on the included CD, and one of Buffalo's awesome flat Ethernet cables. The power cable has a brick on it, and the brick is quite large.