Microsoft today announced the first OEM hardware running Windows Home Server 2011. The new product is developed in partnership with Victorinox, maker of the popular Swiss Army knife and other products, and will be called the Swiss Army Home Server.
The Swiss Army Home Server sports the following specifications:
- Windows Home Server 2011
- AMD dual core processor
- 2GB of DDR3 RAM
- 4 internal hard drive bays for storage expandability
- 6 USB ports and 1 eSATA port
- Built-in GPS to easily locate your server
- 3 different sizes of knives
- Tiny scissors
- 16GB USB flash drive
- Corkscrew
- Coat hanger
- Toilet plunger
- Turkey baster
Daniel Sean, Senior Program Manager on the (Home and) Small Business Server team at Microsoft had this to say:
Microsoft has heard loud and clear that Windows Home Server users are bored with the feature set of the original Windows Home Server and they want an entirely new set of features to be included in the next version. With HP pulling out of the Home Server market, it was a natural evolution to partner with Victorinox to develop the Swiss Army Home Server. It’s got all the extra features you could need, plus it runs Windows Home Server 2011!
The Swiss Army Home Server is also highly customizable. Just like I advocate that you delete most of your digital photos because you’ll never print them, you can simply break off any of the tools on the Swiss Army Home Server if you don’t plan to use them. No need for a corkscrew? With a simple tug it’s gone.
I asked what data protection features were built into the Swiss Army Home Server, and was told that customers could leave all of the sharp instruments extended, which provides protection by making the server significantly harder for someone to steal.
Watch for my full review to be published in the coming weeks, and in the mean time post in the comments and let us know what you think of this years April Fools Day post. 
Also be sure to check out our previous April Fools Day posts.
HP announces GX3297 MediaSmart Server
HP Announces New “Bling” Line of Home Servers
Windows Home Server Backup Database Hard Copy (BDHC) Add-In
Article by Alex Kuretz
I'm Alex Kuretz, and I'm the founder of MediaSmartServer.net. I was the Lead Test and Integration Engineer at HP for the MediaSmart Server until April 2008 when I moved on to other opportunities outside HP. I've kept active in the Windows Home Server community, creating several add-ins and helping users make the most of their Home Servers.
{ 14 comments }
The turkey baster is really the feature I have been waiting for, tired of having to supply my own every time I do a PC backup.
Very good Alex!
Alex–
Any ability to shoehorn DE into this? Also, if I can’t add an air compressor to fill up my car tires with, I simply won’t upgrade to this version.
Now off to delete all my unwanted photos and videos…
Jim
Well, until the update to keep the server in a fixed position, the built-in GPS should come in pretty handy!!
The coat hanger of course serves a triple purpose, as Joan Crawford fans and feminists know well… Come to think of it, the turkey baster could be useful in a number of ways as well. Yes, this version of WHS 2011 could go far…
I definitely want the GPS. When Windows Home Server 2011 causes me to be frustrated due to the fact that Drive Extender is missing, I might launch my Swiss Army Home Server into space, and then I might need to find it again.
I think I will wait for the tweezers in Service Pack 1.
Ha Fab post well done
For a while there, you totally had me.
Aww what gave it away?
Couldn’t be real. Why would Microsoft endorse a product with 4 drive bays for WHS 2011 when they think all you need is 2TB.
That’s funnie!
My God! All the code, resources, people, money that MS has and this is the best they can do. They deserver to be the butt of the WHS joke.
Next thing they will cut the price if you don’t ask for tech support. Might even give you one for free if you say nice things about it. hahahahah
P.S. At least it has a DVD bay, I’d buy it and just pull off all the extra stuff and load it with WHS v1. lolololo
I was ready to pre-order haha. Please let us know what a good upgrade to our old mediasmart servers will be. Who will step up to the plate to make a nice compact home server that will run 2011 smoothly?
Just saw this … clever
But you know, if Victorinox made a server, I’d buy it.