Rackmounts needed
I know we have discussed this before, but Apple really needs a rackmount solution for a number of reasons. Wired has a great article <a href="http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,50454,00.html" target="_blank">here</a> about scientists wanting to go Mac, but being unable to. Obviously there is a server need, enterprise need, and scientific need for rackmount solutions. Oh, although the market is smaller, recording studios would love them too.
Comments
<a href="http://www.marathoncomputer.com/" target="_blank">http://www.marathoncomputer.com/</a>
<strong>If you want to rackmount your current G4, you can use this:
<a href="http://www.marathoncomputer.com/" target="_blank">http://www.marathoncomputer.com/</a>
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Naw that's not what the people in the story want. Try to find space for 100 or 1000 of those. Then think about how much space you save by just mounting the motherboards.
[ 02-22-2002: Message edited by: blue2kdave ]
[ 02-22-2002: Message edited by: blue2kdave ]</p>
For recording studios, thats not such a huge deal, but if you plan to colocate one.. ouch!
And $250 for a pair of rails is also steep, considering you can get an ATX rackmount kit itself for $150 thats 4U.
-kirby
But I actually use all my PCI slots..
That 2U only supports 2 i believe.
-kirby
It would be nice, but that's not where the most important customers are...and that's not an area that's particularly good for publicity outside of the /. crowd.
Apple should work with these guys on bids for projects like this. This would be a great way to judge the size of the market. If the market is big enough, Apple could come out with their own systems.
<a href="http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/products/gvs9000/" target="_blank">http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/products/gvs9000/</a>
[quote] * CPUs: dual 1 GHz PowerPC G4 w/AltiVec.
* Memory: 1 GB PC-133 SDRAM - 2 DIMMs.
* Storage: 80 GB IDE drive.
* Removable: DVD-RW Super Drive.
* Communications: Gigabit, FireWire, USB.
* Video Card: ATI Radeon 7500 dual (YDL currently supports terminal only)
* Expansion: single 64/66 PCI slot.
* Chassis: GVS 9000 2U Rack System.
* Keyboard & Mouse: Apple USB.
* Operating System: YDL & Mac OS X pre-installed; complete box sets.
* Warranty Service Plan: GVS One year - Hardware.
* Weight: 50 lbs.
* Just $3,839.00 + Shipping
<hr></blockquote>
What do ya think?
<hr></blockquote>
Not true. If science depts at universities migrate to the Mac platform, then the rest of the university will fall in line. Science departments are the crown jewels of most Universities, and if they want Macs, they get them.
As more universities switch (back) to Macs, then more students are exposed to OS X. And these students will fan out into the workforce with that OS X experience.
This is a case where catering to a niche market could have incredible bonuses to Apple. It is too bad that Apple doesn't see that.
<strong>THIS looks like a job for... the return of the NeXT Slab.
*snip!*
What do ya think?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Mmmmm...pizza box...mmmmm
<strong>Almost $4000 is WAY too much for a cluster unit. ...</strong><hr></blockquote>
How much would and x86 based system cost? Dual Athlon with those specs?