HP launches cheapo Unix server

Hewlett-Packard will today unveil a trio of slimmed-down Unix servers that offer a lower price tag for budget-conscious IT departments.

The new Unix/RISC servers - 2505, 5405 and 7405 models - are essentially economy-class versions of the company's 2400, 5400 and 7400 server models. The new servers include 650MHz PA-8700 processors, and are only offered in a few set configurations.

These changes, however rigid, allow HP to sell the systems for 10 to 40 per cent less - a crucial distinction in tight economic times.

John Miller, server marketing manager for HP's business critical systems group, said: "There's been a shift in enterprise buyers to look at affordability and value."

The processors in the new servers can be partitioned, or divided, so the hardware is able to run different applications and operating systems and can accommodate other PA-RISC or Itanium chips.

Through the Compaq merger, HP has become one of the largest and most diverse server manufacturers in the industry.

In the second quarter, HP drew level with IBM for server market share in terms of revenue, according to market research firm IDC. Both firms shifted around $2.93bn of kit.

The Unix/RISC 2405 server starts at $4,795, and comes with one 650MHz processor, two 18GB hard drives and 512MB of memory. The 5405 starts at $29,026, and comes with two 650MHz processors, 4GB of memory and 72GB of disk room. It can accommodate up to four processors.

The 7405 starts at $50,595, and comes with two 650MHz processors, 4GB of memory and 146GB of disk space. It can accommodate up to eight processors.