john,
regarding ibm servers - it's a "total quality" issue. ibm makes a good server, but the engineers who install them say they run into more issues with ibm than others: drivers mismatched, memory problems, support. it's not chronic, but when compared to others, it appears ibm falls short.
regarding desktop doa rates - it varies per manufacturer per run of a model. but, hp, compaq, ibm all have a leg up on dell in this area. albeit a small one, it's still a quality issue.
interesting note - our company has been building ibm desktops and notebooks [i work for a national integrator] - this cuts down the doa rate in half! as hp and compaq move toward this model, and as they give us more control over assembly, the doa rate goes down another 50%!
the direct model will face more competition in '98.
good investing!
john |
