Belkin intros Home Base network hub
updated 04:15 pm EDT, Tue September 15, 2009
Home Base shares wireless USB devices
Belkin has introduced its Home Base networking hub on Tuesday, which allows users to share peripherals using their existing wireless networks, including printers, external hard drives or other USB devices. The Home Base is compatible with other Wi-Fi b/g/n devices and will also allow users to automatically back up a connected computer's files onto a designated and connected USB hard drive.
Home Base can also automatically share files stored on attached flash or hard drives with other devices, including gaming consoles such as Sony's PS3 or Microsoft's Xbox 360. Photos can be automatically uploaded to Flickr or Picasa. WPS security provides an option for setting up a near-automatic encrypted connection.
Belkin is now shipping the Home Base with pricing set at $130.
No ethernet ports
09/15, 05:34pm reply
The Apple Time Capsule is much more well fitted out.
footie07
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
Not Bad
09/16, 09:14am reply
This is not bad actually. My problem with Time Capsule is only one USB port, and well, the built in Hard Drive. This is just an alternative that will meet some needs. Price is okay. Just curious as how well it works as a wifi repeater, does it allow clients, and security.
dynsight
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Don't like the built-in hard drive?
09/16, 09:55am reply
Hi dynsight: if you don't like the built-in hard drive of the Time Capsule, try the Airport Extreme. You can use any old powered USB hub to get more ports, too. Don't get me wrong, this Belkin looks OK, but Time Machine is not listed as a feature. This is critical for Macs. Also, the Home Base is NOT a router, the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme are. So, same price, many fewer features.
derbbre
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2000
Re: Don't like
09/16, 01:55pm reply
This is critical for Macs. Also, the Home Base is NOT a router, the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme are. So, same price, many fewer features.
It's only critical for Macs if (a) someone owns a Mac, and (b) they plan on using it for Time Machine Backups. If your plan is to use it for Media sharing, it doesn't matter.
And since I believe it shows up as a set of network drives (not USB drives), there's no reason Time Machine shouldn't work, assuming Time Machine can work to a network drive at all.
And what price are you comparing it to to say "same price, fewer features"?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Disappointing...
11/13, 03:10pm reply
While it seems like an easy and obvious win (and has nice potential), the software that drives this is somewhat unstable at this point. As a network admin and Mac lover, I figured that I'd jump on this device early and try it out at home. Sadly, I couldn't get it to work - and Belkin's support is unresponsive.
twykr
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2009