Apple Discontinues Xserve, Only Available Until January 31st

[BenRoethig]

Well.... it shows that computers isn't Apple's priority.

They are, but just the consumer side. Apple's culture doesn't allow them to understand what these consumers need. Honestly, they should have done one of three things
1) Buy Sun before Oracle did. They were the enterprise company most common to Apple in culture.
2) Set up a wholly owned subsidiary for business and keep Jobs and Ive the hell away from it. Staff it with the best enterprise people available.
3) License OSX server and OSX client to business machines from Dell and HP.

 

[fswmacguy]

It's extremely serious. You must have no idea how many people brandish this same nonsense about their "need" for command line, yet ive yet to see anyone on this site explain what they "need" it for.

Well to give you an idea, I use Terminal to commit changes to a server running Bazaar. I also use it to gain root access to a server in order to add files to a webserver.

Terminal is best when you need to log into a server and make changes/modifications. After all, most of the time the server you use is hundreds of miles away. So you log in through Terminal, make your changes (and yes, it is certainly possible to write/move/delete files from a shell like Terminal), check diagnostics, etc...

 

[KnightWRX]

They are not interested in a high volume, low margin strategy.

Admit it, you don't know what you're talking about right ?

Entreprise is low volume, high margin. We bought about 20 HP servers, either RX series or C3000s with BL8xxc series blades. I don't even want to know HP's margin on just the hardware (which was a 7 figures bill, for 20 machines, minus storage since our HP SAN, another 7 figures bill for just hardware, was part of another project) and don't get me started on software licenses (HP-UX DCOE at 5 figures per image, same for HP-UX VSOE which runs on our VMs) and the support contract for all of that stuff (which costs more than the hardware AND the software costs together).

Then there's all the additional costs that HP throws our way, in the form of GiCAP and TiCAP time banks for rented cores (cheaper to buy, pay per use).

Entreprise is a very lucrative market. Consumer is a low margin strategy compared to getting your foot into a few multi-year enterprise agreements.

I will give you that small-medium businesses are the pits, but large business IT is serious business.

 

[Kristenn]

Just because Apple is killing off a machine that obviously doesn't make a profit it doesn't mean they are doomed or going all consumer. Last I checked Apple has been more consumer for years. Its not like they are discontinuing the Mac Pro and the Mac Mini server. I highly doubt they will discontinue Mac OS X server either.

 

[chrono1081]

And in one quick, foolish move, Apple cedes the entire enterprise market. I don't know if they realize this or not, but their credibility as a technology company just fell significantly. I don't know if I can ever take them seriously again. This is truly disappointing.

If you watch the news you will see they definitely have credibility. I don't know if you've noticed or not but every company copies Apple all the time. Look at the HP Envy, or the iSamsung (not sure of the real name but its the samsung phone that looks exactly like an iPhone).

Just because they discontinued a server that doesn't sell well and most places don't use doesn't mean anything.

 

[KnightWRX]

Are you kidding?
The air is not a serious computer. It is a glorified ipad and useless for running anything more than consumer level programs.

I think it's you who's kidding. My Air is used to run Xcode mostly. It also runs Virtual Box for my work VM. I also use Illustrator to doodle graphics using my tablet for my Xcode projects/website.

iPad can't do any of these, especially not the tablet part. Not to mention I do all this connected on a 23" external display.

 

[johnalan]

What do you need to do in Terminal? Explain.

Well I want full access to be able to write defaults for certain apps (like change time machines backup period for example, or to drop in a new graphics driver manually when apple MUCK it up like they did in 10.6.4 prior to the graphics update, or to change timestamps on files or to quickly grep files, I am comfortable using the terminal and I enjoy access.


to quickly ping something rather than use that stupid network console, etc etc etc etc teh list goes on and on and on.... is that enough?

Also if they take terminal access away whats next maybe finder access leaving you in a world where if you want to delete a save game from a particular game you'd have to lauch the game and delete it from within the games UI rather than just browse your own filesystem... did I pass?


So back to my original question, what do you guys think? Is OSX turning into a gadget OS or will they always keep the power tools and power access there for people like me (developer/geek )

 

[*LTD*]

OS X/iOS development is about to explode on the consumer front with the merging of he two operating systems and the expansion of the App Store into Macs.

Best to cut out non-performing assets (xserve) now and continue to enjoy blockbuster consumer market success as well as enterprise penetration via the iPhone/iPad back-door. This has always been Apple's way of enjoying a little bit of enterprise success, never by a full-blown push. Nor do they need to. Leave that to the cheap commodity makers and Microsoft.

Apple is on track to dominate consumer tech in this decade, and consumers don't need an an array of server installations in their basements. In fact, Apple knows *exactly* what's good for the average consumer. And it shows.

 

[foidulus]

This is so childish. Do you really think Apple would be leaving this market if it was profitable and viable? You really need to stop taking these decisions by Apple personally. Get real.

Bankruptcy? LOLz. In case you haven't noticed, the Mac platform is alive and well and setting sales records virtually every quarter.

You obviously understand 0 about business, and didn't actually take any time to understand my post. The reason I'm taking it so "personally" is I bought Steve Jobs' kool-aid and considered the mac a viable platform for business. Now that the XServe is being discontinued I have to find a way to migrate away from the XServes we have(and no, mac pros and minis are not an answer, we do actually have to rack stuff). So now thanks to Steve's whim I have to explain to my customer why I need to do this migration and I look bad. So I'm never believing a word Apple says again. Believing them has threatened my very livelihood, so yeah, I guess I'm taking it a little personally. Beating myself up for believing a single word Apple has said.

There are a lot of knock-on effects that getting rid of the XServe will have. First and foremost it creates an air of uncertainty. If Apple is willing to discontinue major hardware and software platforms on a whim, how can I have any confidence that the software I write for the mac platform will continue to work for any appreciable period of time? How can I be sure that any

You look around at any other company in this business and they have products that, on their own aren't very profitable, but they make the company look good and help them sell a lot of other products. They are alsot he products that evangelists fall in love with and influence said peoples decision to promote the platform. That was the XServe for Apple, and they killed it.

As per bankruptcy, go back 20 years and look at Blockbuster video, nobody thought they would ever go bankrupt and here we are. Consumer tastes shifted and Blockbuster had no other business to fall back on.

Look at Sony, nobody thought the company that brought us the walkman would be a shadow of its former self in the field of portable music, but here we are. Sony had other businesses to fall back on. Apple increasingly seems like it wants to kill those businesses. So when consumers turn on Apple(and its a matter of when, not if), Apple will have nothing to fall back on because Steve thought that he was somehow "different", how the laws of consumer tastes don't apply to him. How he thought that he could stab his evangelists in the back and they would still love him.

If you want to be a fool, buy AAPL stock. I am keeping as far away from AAPL as I am Apple's products from here on out.

It's been a fun ride Mr. Jobs, turn the light out when you leave Cupertino for the second time.

 

[adrian.oconnor]

Well.... it shows that computers isn't Apple's priority.

This wasn't a computer though, was it?

 

[IlluminatedSage]

Yet another example of Apple not being responsive to a wide range of mac customers including the professional grade server area.

Sadly Apple let Xserve lag behind and now kills it off. some numskulls probably believe that the Mini can serve up all needs. ack! servers provide a valuable need, but i guess Apple doesn't care that their market share is jumping. Why bother offering more models to more niche areas. this is just dumb, there is a bigger picture here.

This is another example of Apple choosing the Accounting method of doing big margins and not investing in a continued broad product line with options for many uses.

1- Xserve killed off now
2- no Mid Range Mac Tower
3- No Blu-ray option for any computers, even if we are willing to pay for it
4- no USB 3

its just depressing to see Apple think it can skimp and do less as their market share grows.

Makes me think about the Hackinstosh i may have to do shortly.

 

[chrono1081]

You obviously understand 0 about business, and didn't actually take any time to understand my post. The reason I'm taking it so "personally" is I bought Steve Jobs' kool-aid and considered the mac a viable platform for business. Now that the XServe is being discontinued I have to find a way to migrate away from the XServes we have(and no, mac pros and minis are not an answer, we do actually have to rack stuff). So now thanks to Steve's whim I have to explain to my customer why I need to do this migration and I look bad. So I'm never believing a word Apple says again. Believing them has threatened my very livelihood, so yeah, I guess I'm taking it a little personally. Beating myself up for believing a single word Apple has said.

There are a lot of knock-on effects that getting rid of the XServe will have. First and foremost it creates an air of uncertainty. If Apple is willing to discontinue major hardware and software platforms on a whim, how can I have any confidence that the software I write for the mac platform will continue to work for any appreciable period of time? How can I be sure that any

You look around at any other company in this business and they have products that, on their own aren't very profitable, but they make the company look good and help them sell a lot of other products. They are alsot he products that evangelists fall in love with and influence said peoples decision to promote the platform. That was the XServe for Apple, and they killed it.

As per bankruptcy, go back 20 years and look at Blockbuster video, nobody thought they would ever go bankrupt and here we are. Consumer tastes shifted and Blockbuster had no other business to fall back on.

Look at Sony, nobody thought the company that brought us the walkman would be a shadow of its former self in the field of portable music, but here we are. Sony had other businesses to fall back on. Apple increasingly seems like it wants to kill those businesses. So when consumers turn on Apple(and its a matter of when, not if), Apple will have nothing to fall back on because Steve thought that he was somehow "different", how the laws of consumer tastes don't apply to him. How he thought that he could stab his evangelists in the back and they would still love him.

If you want to be a fool, buy AAPL stock. I am keeping as far away from AAPL as I am Apple's products from here on out.

It's been a fun ride Mr. Jobs, turn the light out when you leave Cupertino for the second time.

Seeing how Apple has 50 billion in the bank and that number keeps growing, I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing.

 

[iVoid]

And Apple continues it's abandonment of pro users.

 

[foidulus]

What are you smoking? Seriously, just stop. Did you personally own an Xserve? Were you about to put in an Xserve installation somewhere?

Come on...

Did you read my post? My company has, oh I don't know, somewhere in the area of 30 of them.

We were planning on buying 30 more, but instead we will go all Linux/Windows next time around.

 

[nefan65]

Not really surprised. With the push of virtualization, Cloud Computing, etc. it was bound to happen. SOHO Businesses will use the Mini and some form of external drive for Time Machine, along with the Server OSX. Med/Larger facilities always rely on the other 3 major players; HP, DELL, IBM for servers. Cisco is even making a huge dent now with UCS.

Spin up a Virtual, and throw OSX on it

 

[AustinJamMan]

You obviously understand 0 about business, and didn't actually take any time to understand my post. The reason I'm taking it so "personally" is I bought Steve Jobs' kool-aid and considered the mac a viable platform for business. Now that the XServe is being discontinued I have to find a way to migrate away from the XServes we have(and no, mac pros and minis are not an answer, we do actually have to rack stuff). So now thanks to Steve's whim I have to explain to my customer why I need to do this migration and I look bad. So I'm never believing a word Apple says again. Believing them has threatened my very livelihood, so yeah, I guess I'm taking it a little personally. Beating myself up for believing a single word Apple has said.

There are a lot of knock-on effects that getting rid of the XServe will have. First and foremost it creates an air of uncertainty. If Apple is willing to discontinue major hardware and software platforms on a whim, how can I have any confidence that the software I write for the mac platform will continue to work for any appreciable period of time? How can I be sure that any

You look around at any other company in this business and they have products that, on their own aren't very profitable, but they make the company look good and help them sell a lot of other products. They are alsot he products that evangelists fall in love with and influence said peoples decision to promote the platform. That was the XServe for Apple, and they killed it.

As per bankruptcy, go back 20 years and look at Blockbuster video, nobody thought they would ever go bankrupt and here we are. Consumer tastes shifted and Blockbuster had no other business to fall back on.

Look at Sony, nobody thought the company that brought us the walkman would be a shadow of its former self in the field of portable music, but here we are. Sony had other businesses to fall back on. Apple increasingly seems like it wants to kill those businesses. So when consumers turn on Apple(and its a matter of when, not if), Apple will have nothing to fall back on because Steve thought that he was somehow "different", how the laws of consumer tastes don't apply to him. How he thought that he could stab his evangelists in the back and they would still love him.

If you want to be a fool, buy AAPL stock. I am keeping as far away from AAPL as I am Apple's products from here on out.

It's been a fun ride Mr. Jobs, turn the light out when you leave Cupertino for the second time.

yeah, foolish people buying that Apple stock. Have you watched that stock price in the last decade? Financial analysts the world over would probably disagree with you here.

Just because Apple discontinues a poorly selling, overpriced enterprise product, does not mean you should feel bad about implementing Mac systems into your enterprise. If I was your IT Director or CIO, I would NEVER have allowed you to purchase such overpriced and underpowered hardware in the first place. It isn't a necessary component of the infrastructure for supporting the Mac end user...it just isn't.

As far as worrying about developing software, etc, for the platform....I don't think you need to worry. There is no way in hell you will develop anything that is so groundbreaking or revolutionary that it won't be obsolete in the next five years (this is not a personal attack on you or your creativity or programming skills, just the nature of the tech industry), so I hardly doubt that you need to worry about investing time/resources at this point only to see Apple abandon you ten years down the road (or whatever this time frame would be) at a point when the issue would be moot anyway.

 

[*LTD*]

its just depressing to see Apple think it can skimp and do less as their market share grows.

??

They seem to be doing MORE. But they don't serve the geek minority very well. Go play with a Dell then, and install OS X on it or something. You'd be part of that special handful of users who actually do that. You're not needed . . . for about 20 billion different reasons. Seriously, you know what Apple is all about and why they're successful. Do you propose they're doing the wrong things??

And in one quick, foolish move, Apple cedes the entire enterprise market. I don't know if they realize this or not, but their credibility as a technology company just fell significantly. I don't know if I can ever take them seriously again. This is truly disappointing.

They ceded that years ago. Xserves were pointless. They were beautiful, very expensive, and thus an IT manager's nightmare. I think Apple is just fine with the lil' old iPad gaining adoption in the enterprise, bit by bit.

Foolish? Uh . . . what? Apple's the most successful company in tech today, bar none. They drive innovation in the industry - well the consumer end, of course.

Was your dream to run a server farm in your basement?

What, you think a presence in the enterprise lends a company some sort of "air of respectability"?? Are you kidding?? What lends them respectability is performance, consumer satisfaction and mindshare.

 

[foidulus]

Seeing how Apple has 50 billion in the bank and that number keeps growing, I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing.

They DID know what they were doing. They were making major headway in the consumer, enterprise, pro, and casual markets because they offered the complete package. Had Apple continued on it's previous course I think they would have made a huge dent in Microsoft's bottom line and become even richer.

Up until a few weeks ago when they first deprecated Java I was a huge mac fan and evangelist(I've convinced at least 5 people to use the platform) PRECISELY because of that reason.

Now the problem is that it seems success went to Steve's head and he thinks that consumers will stay with him forever. If history is any judge, he is sorely mistaken.

 

[nsissrq]

Oozing with home users in this place, ignorant of the Professional Apple world.

This is a BIG blow to Apple Networking - I manage a system of 180 Mac's with Two Xserve's.

I don't fancy picking up a MacPro to do the same job.

this.

we have 8 Xserves that run our company of about 260 people... Xsan, some applications, file sharing, Open Directory, etc. we have some minis, too, but there's no way a mini will ever replace an Xserve. no offense to folks saying this is no big deal, but you know not of which you speak.

we were planning on upgrading 1 or 2 of the Xserves next year. guess we'll just have to hold them together with spit, duct tape and chicken wire.

 

[rmwebs]

Don't think that MS is using Linux. They will user Windows Server - it is good.

Do us all a favour and google it

Obviously they use Win Server for their main stuff, but DNS is all handled by Linux boxes.

Windows Server isn't good enough for enterprise use when it comes to DNS.

 

[adrian.oconnor]

I bought Steve Jobs' kool-aid and considered the mac a viable platform for business.

I think you're over-reacting a little. Products come and go, and your customers understand that. If OS X Server is the foundation of your service or product, you'll find a way to make it work on Mac Pro or Mac Mini. If not, you'll migrate to HP/Dell or even white box rack mount stuff and run Linux or BSD.

Look, Apple need to constantly reinvent themselves to stay in front. If you understand anything about business you should understand this. Things change, and you need to be ready, always. Besides, you should have seen this coming a mile off because of Xserve RAID.

 

[Stella]

In fact, Apple knows *exactly* what's good for the average consumer. And it shows.

Thats the point : the *average* user, and the average user only. Anyone else need not apply. Thats the way things are going.

Its depressing to see OSX becoming marginalized. OSX will exist only to support iOS - a very narrow tunnel vision of the world.

LTD - do you consider yourself an average user?

 

[mdatwood]

As per bankruptcy, go back 20 years and look at Blockbuster video, nobody thought they would ever go bankrupt and here we are. Consumer tastes shifted and Blockbuster had no other business to fall back on.

Look at Sony, nobody thought the company that brought us the walkman would be a shadow of its former self in the field of portable music, but here we are. Sony had other businesses to fall back on. Apple increasingly seems like it wants to kill those businesses. So when consumers turn on Apple(and its a matter of when, not if), Apple will have nothing to fall back on because Steve thought that he was somehow "different", how the laws of consumer tastes don't apply to him. How he thought that he could stab his evangelists in the back and they would still love him.

I'm not ready to go as far as you have and call for bankruptcy, but you are correct in that so few people seem to understand history. Looking back, history is littered with companies that were wildly successful at one time and are now gone or simply shadows of their former selves. As fast as Apple has risen it can also fall. In the consumer space this can be even more amplified because consumers are so finicky. What's 'cool' today is crap tomorrow.

I do feel that Apples hubris will lead to their eventual decline.

 

[minjche]

I don't think I've ever seen so much FUD concentrated in one place (I was counting but had to stop when it got over 9000).

I'd place my money on saying that Jobs and Apple know what they're doing by now.

I'm sure some sysadmins who employ Xserves will have some work ahead of them, but other than that we really don't know what to expect as far as whether or not Apple plans to fill the Xserve void and what they'd use to do that.

EDIT: I should say, we don't know what would replace Xserve with respect to any NEW products.

 

[powerhouse7]

I'm thinking we're getting an announcement in January about the new server farm and the availability of the new product/service will begin February 1 (Xserve ends January 31).

This server farm might be a business orientated project. Companies will no longer need to have servers themselves but can use Apple's farm. This means no more maintenance, updating, etc. and not needing to run a big server yourself it will reduce energy consumption and free up some work space.
The way I sometimes see it is that in a few decades people who have a 'desk job' will no longer need to go to work but will be doing everything at home using the internet. This eliminates the need for big office buildings, reduce traffic during rush hour, etc. Employees will be able to take their kids to school themselves, they won't waste hours sitting in a car, they won't need to spend money on fuel for driving it to work and back again, they get a computer and a cellphone from work and off they go. They will be working at home. Some people I know are clearly getting into this pattern at work. Ad Facetime or Skype to it and you can have meetings etc. on the computer.

Just a thought but I think it could do allot of good.

Sounds more like the begins of humans becoming ants in a 1984 kinda way.