Could new Intel-based Xserves tip the IT scales for Apple?

Following everyone's comments with interest here. One thing that strikes me is that the detractors here seem to be nailing the new Xserves when comparing them to other vendors like Dell & HP. When strictly comparing hardware, for 'commodity' uses like web serving or email, yeah, I can see the point.

However, not all servers are performing 'commodity' tasks (which would work fine in Linux). I'm setting up a video server (XRAID+Xserve+XSan+Fibre Channel) for our FCP users and there are few other options for what we want to do. I want it to run MySQL, Java, and AFS, but also to run AppleScripts and Compressor batch jobs. Having a DVI-out may be handy for running high-end video presentations in a rack setup.

I want a setup that 'just works' and extends our capabilities in new ways. I see few options that do it so cost-effectively.

Kitch, does the existing included remote mgmt tool satisfy your remote management tool requirements, or is it missing any key features?
http://www.apple.com/xserve/management.html

Any input appreciated, thx.

Kitch, you're 100% wrong. Server Monitor ships free with OSX Server and monitors all XServe hardware functions, supports email alerts etc etc. I've been using it ever since it shipped - very reliable.

Except that Apple doesn't have any systems management offering to go with this. How is an administrator supposed to monitor hisher Apple hardware? Even if your running windows on this box I think it's probably safe to say that Apple does not have any drivers available for monitoring the CPUs, Voltage, Fans, Temperatures, Drives, etc. of this machine. And in the end that is the true differentiator when it comes to server hardware. No remote monitoring = dead in water.

They're pretty and sliver--and that's about it. And what is a DVI connector doing on a server? Come on. And the pricing? Anything but "competitive".

Apple needs to jump on the clue train and either drop their hardware business altogether or charge prices more in line with the commoditized PC/Server market.

There is nothing special about Apple's hardware anymore.

you just forget a thing

INTEGRATORS

only a few societies knows to sell apple solutions with services to others enterprises.

Apple need a whole ecology of professionals around the servers.

you just forgets a thing

INTEGRATORS

only a few societies knows to sell apple solutions with services to others enterprises.

Apple need a whole ecology of professionals around the servers.

What the article also fails to mention is that HP and Dell will certainly be dropping the prices on Woodcrest systems dramatically as supplies increase. Apple doesn't tend to drop their prices once they're established.

RAID was something i was a little conserned about, my current xserves all use the RAID option, but i didn't see that as an avaiable option in the sidebar for the intel xserve. :-/

I work for a publishing company, we have 500-odd users on Macs and 50 Admin-types on PCs. Our Mac environment has run flawlessly on xServes since they first came out. Before that . . . . umm . . . . anyone remember Marathon racks? Wanna buy some? Anyway, we have a couple of Xraids, use afp and everything goes off site via a big HP tape machine that runs Tivoli. We have thus far had to run our Mac environment completely aside from the odd Dos-box running accounting, payroll, marketing databases - and Notes (gad!) etc. We have been costing a system that would allow us to pool storage and backup in a way that deals with the new hi-res workflow that results from a switch from Quark to Indesign without just buying more Xserves and Xraids. Solutions like NetApps, ExaNet (wow!) Helios, ADIC StorNext have all been reviewed as well as Apple's Xsan. We have looked for things that offer snap-shoting; that can mirror to a remote site and so possibly even do away with TSM; we um-and-ah over iSCSI and And so we drink tea at regular meetings where we bounce ideas around and it all drags on...... and on..... Now we find ourself choking on our donuts as we plot the demise of our Dos-Box type (Square peg, round hole, anyway - you know the sort.) The possibilities have suddenly increased! TCO has always worked out in the Xserves favour when compared with the PeeCees - and by quite a margin. Improvements to Open Directory and it's integration with Active Directory (RIP Michael Bartosh - you will remain a giant among us) all add together to make us seriously consider binning the last 20 Dos-Boxes. Most of their databases are SQL or 4D. Ally that to the fact that your average Mac SysAdmin is a far more widely capable and rounded chap than his PeeCee counterpart and your further support costs are further reduced. (True!) And our virus/spyware contract is HOW much a year!!! Go figure!