Why would they?
Why would Apple develop an entirely new product, the Rackmount, with a PowerPC G4 chip, unless they intend the G4 to be around a long time. I guess I can state the obvious: we're either going to have the G4 for a while, or we're not.
Integrating a new processor isn't as easy as pop out, pop in.
Hmm...
jrbd
Integrating a new processor isn't as easy as pop out, pop in.
Hmm...
jrbd
Comments
I'm pretty sure it will (no inside info, though), but I'm curious.
But you do bring up a good point. If a company buys large quantities of the PowerRack and then in 6 months apple released newer PowerRacks with Hypertransport RapidIO 3GIO G5 or what have you there's going to be some angry people out there.
And what about upgrades? Company's are expected to buy completely new machines? (or am i totally off on this point )
To me i dont think apple is going to be able to make it as a server company unless they "think different" about how they introduce new hardware.
I see no problem with them releasing a new product/form factor and not worrying about the chip that goes in it. If they have to upgrade it to G5 6 months from now it will not be difficult to re-engineer and it will drive even more sales.
Servers aren't as upgradeable as desktop machines? Which is to say ... they are? All of the servers i administrate, even the very thin 1U boxes are upgradeable. You could add memory, upgrade the P3 processors to faster versions, switch from IDE to scsi (although in the 1U case, you are limited internally, but some of the longer ones can fit quite a few disks inside).
Sorry, i'm just pessimistic lately
Anything is possible really, we will just have to wait and see. Either way, it is probably going to be at least a little different than your standard Mac.
--PB
But I agree, no G5 at MWNY. It's too close and we've heard too few rumors at this point. MWSF is looking like the safer bet. Unfortunately, by the time Apple gets a 1.4 GHz G5 out the door, even Celerons will be whomping Apple's ass.
<strong>There is plenty wrong with a G4 in a rackmount. An x86 chip is cheaper. Probably a lot cheaper. Witness very expensive (and profitable) G4 towers. Don't feed me any altivec bullshit. Is apache optimized for the G4?</strong><hr></blockquote>
If a x86 is cheaper then why does a 1 GHz P3 Dell PowerEdge 1650 cost the same as a 2x1 GHz Power Mac G4 Server?
[ 05-11-2002: Message edited by: JLL ]</p>
Doing a quick check at dell.com, I see a 1650, which comes in a 'much-thinner-than-powermac' 1U case (which lowers hosting costs, generally, since they usually charge by space). Dual 1.13 Ghz P3s, 512MB ram, an 18gig Ultra 160 SCSI disk (w/ controller obviously), dual ethernet NICs, ... all for $2800. So think you're talking out your ass... (not that its a very fair comparison, you can't get the powermacs without the super or combo drive for example, and I'm not sure how much use a superdrive is when its in locked datacenter)
<strong>I don't see Ghz P3s even being available for that server anymore ... .
Doing a quick check at dell.com, I see a 1650, which comes in a 'much-thinner-than-powermac' 1U case (which lowers hosting costs, generally, since they usually charge by space). Dual 1.13 Ghz P3s, 512MB ram, an 18gig Ultra 160 SCSI disk (w/ controller obviously), dual ethernet NICs, ... all for $2800. So think you're talking out your ass... (not that its a very fair comparison, you can't get the powermacs without the super or combo drive for example, and I'm not sure how much use a superdrive is when its in locked datacenter)</strong><hr></blockquote>
That configuration with Red Hat is $2,959 (with 4x128 MB RAM), and try and replace that harddrive with a 76 GB and the price is $3,709 - a single 1.13 GHz is $2,910 with rebate.
A Dual 1 GHz Power Mac Server is $3,299 (I know that it only has a 80 GB IDE harddrive, but it is fast enough for our needs, and space is not a problem).
Apple won the order on this!
Btw. all three Power Mac Server configurations have a CD-RW, so who's talking out his ass?
Edit: Prices adjusted - Red Hat chosen instead of Windows
[ 05-12-2002: Message edited by: JLL ]</p>
Also, I was looking at the 'regular' powermacs, not the 'server' version, which seems to just be more expensive for dubious value. And again, what good is a CDRW in a server, when its sitting in a data center, blah blah blah.
Also, if you're hosted in a place like exodus, where they charge by space, you'd be able to fit a lot more 1U servers (any manufacturer) than power mac towers (and thus save money)...
Hopefully the apple rack mount will be much thinner.