Why Powermac over X-Server?

[Mac2006]

Apple offers OS X.Server on Powermac's. Why would you get that over the X-Server?

[bidge]

A lot of people, businesses don't want or need the expandibility of an xserve. They don't need to get more computers. For these people it is quite impractical to have a rack for XServe.

[Nipsy]

The big advantage to the PowerMac version is tat you can add drives bare. The Xserve requires Apple drive modules (not sold empty), which are gonna cost you.

Additionally, the PowerMac version has better accomodations for PCI slots. The Xserve does very well as a server, or a workstation, but if you are gonna make a server that is also a worksation (a bad idea), you might need more slots.

Ouside of that, if you don't have a rack (or rackspace) the Xserve design is unwieldy. The Xserve is also loud, so it belongs in a server room, or a sound deadening enclosure.

[Sun Baked]

The XServe & the Mirror Macs are similar in architecture to each other, but do they differ just a bit.

Mirror Macs

ATA-100
|
UniNorth Controller ---> DDR Memory
|
| <--- 33 MHz/64-bit PCI bus
|
|---> Boot ROM
|---> PCI Slots
|---> Key Largo ---> I/O including (E-IDE to 2 Front Optical Bays) & (U-DMA to 2 HDs)


XServe PCI Different

UniNorth Controller ---> DDR Memory
|
| <--- 66 MHz/64-bit PCI bus - Important kbase article on PCI voltage
|
|---> Boot ROM
|---> PCI Bridge ---> PCI Slots
|---> PCI Bridge ---> Key Largo ---> I/O incl. (bus to Front Optical Bay)
|---> ATA-100 Interface ---> 2 Apple Drive Modules -- (Four independent
|---> ATA-100 Interface ---> 2 Apple Drive Modules -- master interfaces)