Apple Server Hardware Gets Major Performance Upgrade

Apple has updated its Xserve and now it delivers up to twice the performance of the previous system. Using Intel Nehalem Xeon processors and a next generation system architecture, the 1U rack-optimized Xserve delivers up to an 89 percent improvement in performance per watt. Xserve is available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors and industry-leading storage options that include a low-power solid state drive (SSD) and up to 3TB of internal storage. Starting at $2,999, Xserve includes an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.

"The Xserve is the best workgroup server for our education, business and creative customers," said David Moody, Apples vice president of Worldwide Mac Product Marketing. "With up to twice the performance, better power efficiency and an innovative SSD drive option, this is the best Xserve weve ever made."

The new Xserve includes Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz, each with an integrated memory controller with three channels of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory that delivers up to 2.4 times the memory bandwidth while cutting memory latency up to 40 percent. Using high-efficiency power supplies and intelligent thermal management, Xserve delivers a 19 percent reduction in idle power use.

The Xserve standard configuration, with a suggested retail price of $2,999 (US), includes:

* a single 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Xeon 5500 series processor with 8MB of fully shared L3 cache;
* 3GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC RAM;
* a single 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Module;
* dual Gigabit Ethernet on-board;
* two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots;
* Bonjour-enabled Lights-Out Management processor and Server Monitor Software;
* internal graphics with Mini DisplayPort output;
* two FireWire 800 and three USB 2.0 ports; and
* an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.

Build-to-order options and accessories for Xserve include: dual 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors; 160GB and 1TB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Modules; 450GB 15,000 rpm SAS drives (third party option); internal Xserve RAID card; Gigabit Ethernet, 4Gb Fibre Channel cards and a 750W redundant power supply.

More Information
Visit the Xserve Product Page.