The cover is removed by pressing buttons on each side and pulling the complete shell forwards and it can be padlocked shut. The four memory slots are easily accessible and the server can be upgraded to 16GB, but if you opt for Server 2008 Foundation remember this OS only supports up to 8GB.
For storage the motherboard has six embedded SATA ports, but the integral AMD RAID controller only supports mirrors and stripes. Up to two 3.5in hard disks can be fitted with one mounted under the power supply and the other beneath the 5.25in bay.
HP's MicroServer provides far easier access to its four drive bays as they are located right behind its front door with the hard disks fitted in flimsy but easily removable carriers. To get at the drives in the MX130 you need to remove the shell and unclip the front bay or the power supply unit and swing them up.
You can increase the drive count as optional 2.5in hard disk mounting kits are also available. Two drives can be placed under the power supply, two more in the front bay and, if you dispense with the optical drive, another pair can be squeezed in here as well.
There's room to expand as the motherboard has two PCI Express slots as well as another pair of 32-bit PCI slots. They are easily accessible and all support half-height expansion cards.
