From the inquirer 213.219.40.69 :
New HP Alpha Server details exposed
Leakware Pricing, et al
By Eva Glass: Friday 18 October 2002, 10:32
OUT IN THE PARKING LOT, I was accosted, once again (sigh...) by a guy in a raincoat.
As usual, he was unbuttoned. But a brief wave of the coat revealed more that I was expecting. His sly grin gave him away, as he asked, "Fancy one of these?"
Naturally, my curiosity was piqued. "Alphas Servers?" I said, "DS20L,DS25, ES45, EV68, for real?" How could a girl resist? This last one was almost named for me.
"Indeed," my new friend replied. "The game they are playing in the price book is $13K for a 2-CPU-capable ES47 Model 2 UNIX system. Cool, eh?" "Mind you," he added, "you add $30K for a dual-processor 1000MHz EV7 module, a GB of memory at $5K, plus a disk or three, a network adapter, and, how could I forget, a RACK MOUNT. Figure at least $10 to $20K for that," he said. And I do believe he swore.
"Figure," he said. "$65K for a dual-processor "Raptor" config. Price will vary with OS.
"Tell me more," I hushed, quite seductively I thought. You know once they get going these boys just keep right on keeping on.
This system maxes out at 4 CPUs, hence the ES47 designator. 3 month lead time. Per usual, VMS a tad more expensive than UNIX.
A 4 CPU system, aka ES47 Model 4, has two (2-CPUs each) system drawers. Dual power supply, pressure cooker, kazoo, four hot-swap power supplies, 2 rackmount kits and costs $34K. Less than 1K price uplift for VMS.
I purred.
"Hey, to make the thing functional, just add two 2-CPU building block modules (1GHz again) $31K per module for UNIX, $34K for VMS. Plus memory, disk, etc. Add the memory, disk, networking, decoder ring, etc to this baby and you're looking at $110-120K unless these people come to their senses.
"Want an eight-way? well, try one o' these on for size: a GS1280 Model 8. Yours for just $30K complete with 8-CPU system drawer, power supply, magic decoder, box of condoms and a 41U cabinet.
"Oops... Forgot to mention: the VMS version of the same damned thing is $48K and change.
"This 8-way also uses the 1GHz EV7, 1GHz CPU. It's basically a tall cabinet that can be equipped with 2 to 8 1GHZ CPUs at 31K UNIX 34K VMS per CPU pair. So an 8-way VMS system will cost $196K. Just add disk and memory and such.
"Biggest they'll go right now is a GS1280 Model 16 for a bit over $100K USD UNIX, $125K VMS.
"A two-CPU 1150MHz UNIX building block module is a mere $56K. $59K for an 1150 MHz dual-CPU VMS module. Times eight for a 16-way system. That's half a million bucks BEFORE you add disk and memory."
"Sheesh!" said I. It just slipped out.
"Of course, these prices may vary depending on your negotiating skills and HPQ's stock value." You read it here first. |
