Desktops & Servers > Intel Xeon Desktops & Servers > 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: Slimline, only takes a few U's in the Rack. very reliable.
Disadvantages: The new HP Smartstart is not as easy to understand as the original version.

...of you who aren't aware HP have taken over Compaq and rebadged compaq Servers with the HP badge. This is just an upgrade to the Compaq Proliant DL380 G2. You are still getting one of the most reliable servers in the industry for the right price. They have also rectified the problem on the last model where there was only 4 bays for hard disks , there are now 6 bays, a FDD and a CD drive. The server is a slimline model and for those of you who ...
...these servers, has been rebadged, HP smartstart and given an overall and so far im not impressed, the screens don't flow as they used to and it seems to take a long time to figure out what's what in the configuration menus. All in all, still the best servers to buy for small/mid cricitical systems. ... Read review

Advantages: Customise your own system
Disadvantages: Better instructions for Vista

The thing I like about Dell is that you can customise your computer to your own requirements, for example adding a DVD Re writer media card, etc, etc. I've had little trouble with mine (touch wood!). The only problem I had was upgrading to Windows Vista. I was left with minimal instructions and actually found the system slower, until I got down to using it on a daily basis. At one point I considered reverting to XP, but thought I would stick with ...
...my own music. A Dell technician was supposed to call and explain how to speed the system up but never did, presumably whilst they were getting the Dell support center up and running, better than having to ring India and spent two hours talking to support when my Dell laptop caught a Greek virus and packed up! On the plus side, plenty of options for either home or business, good with a back up drive and with Windows Vista reminding you every 30 days ... Read review

Advantages: Supports two pc cards (graphics cards etc)
Disadvantages: No Vista support

This was the first computer I bought myself, and when it was released it was one of the best in its range for sff pc cases. The size of this computer doesnt seem so small now due to compettitors like the mac mini and the dell hybrid mini. If your looking for a small computer, this isnt the one for you! It does however offer two pc card slots which many of the other small computers lack, if you are looking for something you can upgrade easily, this ...
...came out and many of the features have been left unsupported, for example the card reader can no longer be used, as far as I am aware there are still no drivers to make this work and would advise anybody buying this computer to stay away from vista at all costs. ... Read review