New high-end Xserve to sport faster processors, combo drive

Apple Computer is preparing to refresh its Xserve G5 line of servers, AppleInsider has learned. According to sources, the new models are expected to debut as early as this week.

The new high-end Xserve will feature dual 2.3GHz G5 processors, 1GB of ECC RAM, an 80GB SATA drive, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, a combo drive, and Mac OS X Server with an unlimited license. The unit will reportedly retail for $3999.

A second dual processor 2.3GHz model will include all the features of the high-end Xserve, but will lack an optical drive and include only 512MB of RAM. The server will reportedly retail for $2999 and include a 10-user license.

Apple's new mid-range Xserve will continue to sport dual 2.0GHz G5 processors, 512MB of RAM, an 80GB SATA drive, Gigabit Ethernet, and Mac OS X Server with an 10-user license. The model will reportedly drop $300 in price to $2699.

Catering to corporations who require only a single processor Xserve G5, sources say Apple will introduce a new single processor 2.0GHz configuration with 1GB of RAM, 80GB SATA drive, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, a combo drive, and Mac OS X Server with an unlimited license. This model is expected to retail for $2999.

Finally, sources said that Apple will drop the price of its low-end 2.0GHz single processor Xserve from $2999 to $2699. This unit features 512MB of RAM, an 80GB SATA drive, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, a CD drive, and Mac OS X Server with an unlimited license.

The new Xserve offerings will reportedly be referenced by manufacturers numbers M9745LL/A, M9742LL/A, and M9743LL/A, respectively. Existing configurations being met with price drops are said to be M9215LL/A and M9216LL/A.

Along with the the new Xserves, Apple is expected to debut its highly anticipated Xsan network file system, which was previously slated for launch in the fall of 2004.

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14 Comments

bwhaler

said about 19 years ago

These specs are terrible.

First, the move to less than unlimited licenses is a big, big mistake. Apple is taking away one of the biggest selling advantages of the XServe, one that costs Apple nothing.

Secondly, the specs are odd, and a price hike is moronic. Just when the XServe is starting to get momentum and Apple has finally starting to get credibility in the corporate work place, and they go and raise prices.

I hope to God these specs and prices are wrong. Otherwise, Apple is letting the iPod success go to their collective heads.

iPod or no iPod, the Mac market share continues to crater, and Apple needs to be much more aggressive than this.

bwhaler

said about 19 years ago

The more I think about this, the less I think these specs are correct.

Example:

Take the 2 different D2.3Ghz servers.

If you take the lowered price one, add in the memory, drive, and server upgrade, it's less than the $1000 price difference.

Accordingly, there would be zero reason to buy the high end server when you can get the same spec doing a BTO and save $200-400.

Also, I find it highly dubious that Apple is going to drop the server down to 512MB of memory. This is a server, and anyone wanting a D2.3 machine is going to need more memory for even their most basic of needs.

c9h13o3n

said about 19 years ago

i agree that these specs don't seem right. consider, all current xserves (correct me if i'm wrong) have dual gigE, yet these specs seem to suggest apple is going to take a step backwards to the g4 xserve days and offer models with 1 gigE port. i highly doubt this and i *really* hope it's not true.

applenut

said about 19 years ago

Quote:

Originally posted by BWhaler
The more I think about this, the less I think these specs are correct.

Example:

Take the 2 different D2.3Ghz servers.

If you take the lowered price one, add in the memory, drive, and server upgrade, it's less than the $1000 price difference.

Accordingly, there would be zero reason to buy the high end server when you can get the same spec doing a BTO and save $200-400.

Also, I find it highly dubious that Apple is going to drop the server down to 512MB of memory. This is a server, and anyone wanting a D2.3 machine is going to need more memory for even their most basic of needs.

you don't take into account the addition of an unlimited client licensethe xServe is one product where Apple truly responds to the demands they receive. If they make these changes it's very likely that it's because it's what their clients and market asked for. May not make sense to you and me but each new model seems to serve a slightly different customer.

jll

said about 19 years ago

The 10 client machines are probably cluster nodes as they are today and are therfore also missing the two extra drive bays. I've made a list instead:

Dual 2.3GHz G5
1GB ECC RAM
80GB SATA drive
Dual Gigabit Ethernet
Combo drive
Mac OS X Server (Unlimited Client)
$3999.

Single 2.0GHz G5
1GB ECC RAM
80GB SATA drive
Dual Gigabit Ethernet
Combo drive
Mac OS X Server (Unlimited Client)
$2999.

Single 2.0GHz G5
512MB ECC RAM
80GB SATA drive
Dual Gigabit Ethernet
CD ROM drive
Mac OS X Server (Unlimited Client)
$2699 (Today $2999)

Dual 2.3GHz G5
512MB ECC RAM
80GB SATA drive
Dual Gigabit Ethernet
Mac OS X Server (10 Client)
$2999 (sounds like a cluster node)

Dual 2.0GHz G5
512MB ECC RAM
80GB SATA drive
Gigabit Ethernet
Mac OS X Server (10 Client)
$2699. (sounds like a cluster node - today $2999 with dual Gigabit)

Shouldn't there be a single 2.3GHz?