Advantages: Cheap entry level Sun SPARC from 1997
Disadvantages: Build quality is PC like, and low cache processors

...The Sun UltraSPARC 5 workstation was brought out in 1997, and was priced so you could have one on your desk for approx 1000 US Dollars. They stopped shipping to customers in May 2002. These days, it is not a fast machine, but still they are perfectly useable for many workstation and server tasks. Processor and Memory - This model has an UltraSPARC IIi processor which is, of course, 64 bit and is clocked at 360 MHz. You can have 1GB of memory in the workstation, installed as up to 4 DIMMS, which must be installed in pairs. "Normal" PC memory will not work in these workstations. The 260MHz model only has 256kB cache (same with the 270MHz processor) For better performance, you need the 2MB cache version on the 333 or 400MHz versions. Storage - There is one HDD bay in the machine, although if you remove the floppy drive, you... Read review

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Advantages: No previous knowledge of computing needed, excellent writing style.
Disadvantages: Price

...I am currently doing a Masters in Information Technology and this book was the recommended text for our Computer Network Systems module. Costing £32.99 I was expecting a good book, and as it turned out it is an excellent book and the investment was definately worth it. This book basically details the different levels that make up a computer, each one performing a specific function. The examples used throughout the book are the Pentium II, Sun Ultrasparc II and the Java Virtual Machine. Even if you are not studying a degree in computing but have a general interest in the way a computer works you will find this an excellent book that will teach you so much more than you would have expected to learn by such an enjoyable read. It is written in a very easy to read style - unlike many other computing books I have seen so far during my... Read review

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