Once you get past the Taurus extremely small form factor and use it, its best feature becomes apparent: its ease of use. Provided you have a rudimentary understanding of networking, its possible for most people to rapidly and easily set up the basic features such as user accounts (and restrictions) along with file, printer and Web connection sharing.

Running off a custom version of Linux, the most basic administration tasks on the Taurus can be achieved by using the front LCD panel on the device although it can be a little cumbersome and slow when you get to the more sophisticated tasks. The Taurus has been designed to be accessed through a Web-browser interface by connecting remotely with a client machine. Here youre presented with options for setting up everything, from firewall permissions, assigning the way IPs are addressed to clients, email, and a whole host of other tasks.

The interface has been well thought out and streamlined, and it proves to be a refreshingly simple way of administering a server. But bullish it aint: the Taurus is seriously outclassed in the hardware department by all the other systems here. Due to the nature of the Taurus hardware design (which makes it more an appliance than a PC), we were unable to run the same benchmarks on it.

What this means is that while it will work fine as a file, printer and Web connection sharing device (and even an email server), its a little underpowered to handle live Web hosting with the same reliability as any of the other systems here.

Moreover, the Taurus completely self-contained nature is something of a Catch 22.While it significantly reduces the hassles associated with setting up and administrating you server, it also greatly limits upgradability. If your business grows too big it will likely necessitate buying a more full-featured standalone server further down the track.

Whereas most servers would require you to pay for an administrator, most of the Taurus tasks can easily be accomplished just by following the manual.