Apple Aims Enhanced Xserve At Small BizApple Aims Enhanced Xserve At Small Biz

Apple Computer has beefed up its Xserve with the intent of marketing it to small businesses with limited IT support.The new 1U rack server runs on the Mac OS X Leopard Server operating system and is powered by the latest Xeon quad-core chips, code-named Harpertown. It can run in mixed Mac and Windows environments, includes up to 3 TB of internal storage and provides up to four times the input/output bandwidth of its predecessor. With a starting price of $2,999, the Xserve also features accelerated graphics and comes with a license for unlimited client seats.

"Apple will use the value proposition of easy-to-use comprehensive services to broaden its market to small businesses and departments, where Xserve is an ideal first server," market research firm Technology Business Research (TBR) told information.

Leopard Server includes mail hosting, Web hosting, file sharing, client management, network management and security, VPN, chat, search and directory services, according to TBR.

In addition, Apple has introduced the new Mac Pro workstation, also powered by Harpertown, making it the company?s fastest Mac. Delivering twice the bandwidth of previous generations, the $2,799 machine can carry up to four 1-TB Serial ATA hard drives, supports SAS drives and includes nine ports for external devices.information