Desktops & Servers > IBM Desktops & Servers > Intel Xeon MP

Advantages: Reliable, fast, robust
Disadvantages: A bit heavy... but doesn't matter once it's in the rack

...installed a couple of the IBM x445 servers at work, and as I've been generally impressed with the way they've performed, thought I'd share my findings. I won't go through the finer and minute technical details of this server simply because that wouldn't be a review- that would be simply copying the specification, which anyone can read anyway. I decided it be a lot more helpful to describe in business terms the benefits of the server, and how reliable ...
...best one to go for. IBM do a number of servers which are over three times as thin as this server and ideal if space is at a premium. Happily for us, we had plenty of space in the rack so this wasn't an issue. At the back of the server there are all the usual ports that you might expect, including of course mouse, keyboard and video ports for plugging the cables from your server switchbox (KVM) device into so that you can flip between servers using ... 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: Screen, Webcam, amazing processer speed
Disadvantages: With mine the Wifi can sometimes be an issue

...I bought it from the Apple store in London, where I must say the customer service is amazing and the staff had an answer to all my questions! Before this Imac I had an Ibook G4 which was the best thing since sliced bread, thats what made me want one of these. The IMac is all an all in one computer, all the bits are in the screen with only the keyboard and mouse separate. This makes it great for people with not so much space. This computer is very ...
...round, the whole unit is a sort of brushed aluminum colour and my favorite bit is the small brushed aluminum keyboard, which has nice sized buttons and a nice feel to it (ie not big and chunky keys) The IMac loads up in no time, unlike a Windows machine and within less than say 30 seconds you are ready to go. The screen is Massive, bright and very clear, and the graphics can easily handle online TV and gaming, I use mine to play World of Warcraft ... Read review

Advantages: ibms past record
Disadvantages: poor choice of graphics port

I've got one of these, in fact I'm writing this review on it right now. I bought it at my local auctions 2 years ago & I'm still getting great use out of it. It looks sleek with its all black case, keyboard & mouse. It's really easy to do upgrades on as it requires no tools to open the case or remove any parts. I upgraded the dvd-rom in mine to a rewriter & it took minutes to do & was as quick to get running & burning with. It might not have a ...
...games pretty well. I've been able to play both Quake 4 & Half Life 2 at fairly decent speeds. The port to fit a graphics card is a slightly annoying issue as it's intended for a standard PCI card & I was expecting to find an AGP port but I guess thats the price you pay for buying what was only ever intended to be a business machine. On-board sound is very good, the 1gb of RAM that comes as standard is more than enough for what I use it for. It ... Read review

Advantages: Speed, looks, ease of use.
Disadvantages: None

I bought my iMac as I my "PC" was due for replacement and had become unreliable. A few of my friends have iMacs and I was instantly grabbed by the design and ease of use when I sat in front of one. Some of this is due to the software that comes pre-loaded onto the iMac. I went for the 2GB version with the 2.66 Processor as the prices had just dropped. The iMac boots up lightening quick compared to my PC. In around 15 seconds I can be using the system ...
...is extremely clear and at 20 inch - large enough for most people to use as their home computer. I thought I would be keeping the PC to one side to use when the iMac didn't have the ability to do a certain job but I have thrown it away now as everything I need to do works. The beauty of the iMac is that it does exactly what you except. No fuss, first time - every time. It comes pre-loaded with the operating system and iLife08 which had iPhoto, iDVD ... Read review