Apple's Intel Xserves slip to mid-Nov
updated 09:05 am EDT, Wed October 25, 2006
Intel Xserves delayed
Apple's new Intel-based Xserve workstations, announced in August, are now available for pre-order at Apple's store, but are not expected until mid-November. Originally expected to ship in October, Apple's Xserves are used in small business and to build many of the world's top supercomputers. The company is offering many BTO options for its quad-core (using two 64-bit Dual-Core Intel Xeon "Woodcrest" processors) server offering, with processor speeds ranging up to dual-core 3GHz for additional $1799). The $2,999 base configuration includes a two dual-core 2.0GHz Xeons, an 80GB SATA drive, and 1GB of RAM (2x512MB), Combo drive, and an ATI Radeon X1300 with 64MB of VRAM. A version without graphics is $50 less. The new Xserve also offers two open eight-lane PCI Express slot for dual Gigabit Ethernet ($199), U320 SCSI card ($199), or 2Gb Fibre Channel ($499) expansion options. Apple also offers a second hot-swappable 650 watt power supply option for $199,.
For added storage or improved performance, Apple offers a high-speed 15,000rpm, 73GB SAS (serial attached SCSI; $299 for first, $499 for additional), 7,200rpm 750GB SATA ($699), and 15,000rpm 300GB SAS ($799 first, and $999 for additional). The Xserve has three drive bays.
As noted previously, Apple has no plans to offer a cluster node version of the Intel-Xserve (although a variety of BTO options are available).
