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Would you buy a xServe as a desktop machine?

Vlade

Vlade

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
If the next macworld brings us some new dual 2.4-2.6GHZ G5's and no new towers, would anyone here get one of those instead of waiting for the next desktop lines? I am curious if anyone here has ever used an xServe as a desktop machine, and if so what its like.
 
My understanding is that they're very loud. I would never replace my tower with an XServe. I would get one for my web/ftp server, if I had the cash; not worth it for replacing a desktop.

Dan
 
And people are bitching and moaning about the cost of HD upgrades in the current PowerMac G5 or the limit of 1 optical drive.

The XServe puts a bigger crimp in the optical drive by making you use the slot loaders. 😱

And the price of the drive carriers for the XServe. 😱

Probably lack of ADC video cards, don't see them worrying about supplying an ADC card there yet.

You can still get the rack mounted RAID for the PowerMac G5, and the Server OS if you wish.

Now that the machines have moved past OS 9 bootability, some of the features that made the XServe a better machine have narrowed with the desktop.

Of course you do get the handy dandy DB-9 serial port with the server, and the VGA video card. 🙄
 
I wouldn't do that for sure. But I think apple has gotta do something about their xserve. Whos is gonan buy their outdated g4 xserve nowdays???? Either bring it up to g5s or discontinue it
 
Originally posted by Rezet
I wouldn't do that for sure. But I think apple has gotta do something about their xserve. Whos is gonan buy their outdated g4 xserve nowdays???? Either bring it up to g5s or discontinue it
Click to expand...

They can't discontinue it. It is their only real corporate machine.

Now they need a solution that can compete (and probably beat) MS Terminal Services - that is where the real money is.
 
I would get one for a main machine simplying coz its small but its too expensive at the moment to really be an option
 
Hmm, considering the sound a single X-Serve makes is that similair to 5 hairdryers, no I wouldn't consider replacing my fanless iMac for something that could take off if not bolted down 😉
 
it's totally designed for rack use, and i'm not talking about the noise. has anyone found out how long the thing is? the front panel sure is pretty, but check the specs - at least i don't have room for a +70cm (28inch) deep monster on my desk...
 
Originally posted by JFreak
it's totally designed for rack use, and i'm not talking about the noise. has anyone found out how long the thing is? the front panel sure is pretty, but check the specs - at least i don't have room for a +70cm (28inch) deep monster on my desk...
Click to expand...

Or, you could actually use the x-serve as your desk 😛
 
Originally posted by Rezet
I wouldn't do that for sure. But I think apple has gotta do something about their xserve. Whos is gonan buy their outdated g4 xserve nowdays???? Either bring it up to g5s or discontinue it
Click to expand...

Because not every application needs the very latest in processor technology. When blade servers first came out, you had some companies jumping on the bandwagon to sell them, while others decided to wait until bus technology improved. When you have a very slow bus and you put all these blade servers on it, they are mostly waiting for something to do. Some companies used them because they didn't need raw processing power, so it worked out for them. The same holds true for the x-serve and most 1U servers. If you want a lot of processing power, you don't buy a 1U server.
 
We use a couple of Xserves at my work, and they're gr8 at what they do: File/Print services, Mail server.
By chance I was able to get (very cheap) a second hand Xserve from a company which made the switch to the dark side. Didn't know what to do with it really, as I already own a couple of Macs, but I just wanted to have one. 🙂

But, OMG... WHAT A NOISE
I knew the fans were loud, hearing them at work, but once one of these is turned on in your peacefull little living room.... oef!

Fun to have, but a headache to switch on! 😀
 
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