Desktops & Servers > IBM Desktops & Servers > Intel Xeon > From 1.0 GB to 2.0 GB

Advantages: Very versatile mid range server
Disadvantages: support web site can be awkward to navigate

...(with the addition of an IBM 7k RAID card) with a hot spare. This gives a 73GB OS partition which should be ample for most SBS installations including the exchange store. I tend to find that most SBS base builds come to about 20GB once everything is installed. This leaves just over 50GB for the exchange store and page file. The data partition would then be about 250GB which should be ample for most SMB's. Inside the server is just as good and as ...
...one). As with all IBM servers it comes with the ServerGuide startup CD which allows you to quickly configure your disks, create a utility partition (containing all the relevant drivers) and automatically install your OS. The only thing that takes a little time is synch'ing the arrays but I normally kick it off then go and do something else for a couple of hours then come back and do the OS setup part of it. You also get the IBM Director CD (see ... Read review

Advantages: power,redundancy,expandibility
Disadvantages: Price

...Gigabit Ethernet, ATI Radeon 7000M, IBM 5U x 24in Tower To Rack Conversion Kit ,5x146.4 GB 10 000 rpm Ultra320 80-pin hard drive,Serveraid 7k SCSI raid card, Remote supervisor Adapter II card. Operating System provided by IBM as well ( part number 90P0221) Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, Standard Edition. Packaging and manuals: Server is very well packaged,rack conversion comes with explanation for conversion, but the whole conversion is not intuitive ...
...and pieces included in the packages ,as keyboard and mouse for Server.IBM Director and Serveraid manager CD, plus OS CDin the box, OS pre-installed. Set-Up. Set up is quite easy for this box,but requires attenction .BIOS need to be properly configured as the additional raid card we have installed.Remote Superviros Adapter firmware has to be upgraded to match the Server firmware ( The RSA card can be installed on several models of servers , but ... Read review

Advantages: Powerful - impressive - cutting edge
Disadvantages: Like a big filing cabinet on wheels

...Apparently all the RAID cards IBM supply do it but only the 8i card has the ability to flash the disk lights whilst it does it which I find kind of bizarre. Above the drive bays is the CPU tray which, once you have removed all the relevant clips and air channels, can be slid out of the front and up to four processors can be plugged in. Reseat this board and move into the area behind where the CPUs sit to the memory area. The memory is plugged into ...
...sticks of up to 4GB PC3200 chipkill memory. The server can accommodate four of these boards giving a total of 64GB of memory if necessary. All of this is pumped through the new Hurricane memory processor and X3 architecture which basically means blistering throughput of data. Further back and to the left and down as well if I remember rightly (it's quite big) are all of your expansion slots and where the RAID card plugs in. It is secured front and ... Read review

Advantages: good build quality - rarely break down - It's an IBM!
Disadvantages: support website can sometimes be awkward to navigate.

...you can install the included IBM Director software (it is included with all the servers I have ever bought but I don't see it on the kit list so might be wise to check, although even if it isn't you can download it from the IBM website. The easiest way to find it is search the IBM website or Google for e1cd1.iso. You should also download the serveraid windows agent as well ) which monitors the state of all your hardware and can be configured to send ...
...any kind of obstruction with IBM when it comes to parts replacement. They often do advanced replacement (where they send out the new part on the understanding you'll send back the faulty one once you've fitted the new one (of course they bill you if you don't)) after you have either described the fault over the phone or run a short diagnostic program. I have had it where a part has been out of stock but they managed to get one shipped from Holland ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant screen, fast, runs Windows too
Disadvantages: Virtually none, but not good for DIY upgrades.

Introduction I was walking through some wood on the Scottish Borders one day when we came across a cottage where we saw a Cavalier King Charles sitting on a chair in the sun, and a gentleman working on a computer. We got chatting about the dog (as we also have a Cavalier) and the conversation inevitable turn the his computer which happened to be an iMac 2.4GHz, 24" Core 2 Duo model being used for photography and graphics. The gentleman showed me ...
...me that I should give up my Windows PC and to switch to MAC for my main uses of photo and video. If I was really stuck, I was told that Mac could run any Windows programmes I needed on it. My main intention was to leave the Windows PC for day to day use, and use the MAC PC for hobbies only - more of that later. However, a few weeks later, after looking at reviews and seeing the machine again, I took the plunge and bought the iMac - a decision I ... Read review