Intel Investors - IBM Rolls out new i815E based PCs !!
Add that to the list - note the heavy emphasis on STABILITY !!
Maybe this is to stave off aspersions to the MTH Fiasco.
Or AMD AthWiper WalMart specials !
Paul
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New PCs Foster Simple, Stable Enterprises
By Rebecca Smith Hurd, TechWeb News
Jun 20, 2000 (4:36 AM)
URL: techweb.com
Like other vendors building systems with Intel's new 815E chipset, IBM has a message for IT managers: It's possible to simplify the enterprise without sacrificing stability. The company released Tuesday its NetVista A Series, a line of 815E-based PCs designed to streamline the use and management of networked systems in medium and large businesses. The systems offer tool-less entry, a migration assistant for multiple Windows platforms, and keyboard shortcuts to IBM (stock: IBM) service and support, among other features.
The A Series also provides stability.
"The 815E, unlike what the name would suggest to a casual observer, is a stable chip set and really for all intents and purposes, it is replacing the 820," said Steve Kleynhans, a vice president at the Meta Group, a Toronto research firm. "Systems built around 815 will be suitable for both the time-to-market segment and the stable corporate market."
"Two years ago, when we used to talk about products, everything was megahertz, megabytes, and gigabytes," said Kevin Knox, a research director for Gartner Group in Stamford, Conn. "The message isn't about technology anymore, it's about stability -- which the 815 is going to deliver -- manageability, and lowering cost of ownership. I think the A Series is a very, very aggressive product line for IBM, and I think it's long overdue."
He added that the term "300," which IBM has used for three years, is outdated and lacks brand equity.
The A Series, which succeeds IBM's PC 300 PL and GL lines, gives customers greater flexibility in choosing security and management features, said Brian Dalgetty, director of desktop product marketing for IBM's Personal Systems Group. One model, the A40P, features an integrated hardware security chip similar to the one previously offered on IBM's PL systems.
"We believe security is going to grow in importance over time as more people do B-to-B and broadband transactions," Dalgetty said. "We also believe, or have been told, that only certain customers recognize that and want to pay for it."
The A Series is available in desktop, mini-tower, micro-tower, and small form factors. Prices start at $711 to $1,352. Customers can develop the same software image for use on all four form factors, Dalgetty said.
"The most significant thing we've done that's different than our competition is we've designed all four form factors with the 815e chipset," said Brain Dalgetty, director of marketing for desktops and workstations, IBM Personal Systems Group. "The same system board fits in all of these designs."
IBM rival Compaq (stock: CPQ) on Monday launched the Deskpro EN Series based on the 815E to coincide with the Intel (stock: INTC) chipset's release. Compaq is making a single software image and optional standardized drivers available for the entire Deskpro EN Series.
"We are resolute in our commitment to put the customer first as we lead the industry toward simple, powerful enterprise computing products," Mike Pocock, vice president and general manager of customer marketing for Compaq's Commercial Personal Computing Group, said in a press release.
Bob Sutherland, an analyst for Technology Business Research in Hampton, N.H., said he expects other hardware vendors to announce systems based on the chipset this week.
Meanwhile, he believes IBM will continue to press forward with the NetVista line, which includes the all-in-one X Series, legacy-free S Series, and N Series thin clients unveiled this spring.
"NetVista is geared toward enhancing the user experience with the network-ability of the system," Sutherland said.
He expects IBM will add Bluetooth technology and perhaps removable-storage that's interoperable with ThinkPad notebooks and the Palm (stock: PALM)-based WorkPad organizer to NetVista systems.
"There might be media that you could pull out of the desktop and slide into your palmtop," Sutherland said. |
