14 DAY TRIAL // Dell has launched 2 systems: the four-processor PowerEdge 6950, for higher-end tasks such as housing databases, and the two-processor PowerEdge SC1435, for high-performance computing clusters or hosting Web sites, according to Cnet. The 6950 will be sold alongside its Intel-based equivalent, the 6850, but the SC1435 replaces the Intel-based SC1425, said Jay Parker, Dell's director of worldwide marketing for PowerEdge servers.
With this move, Dell finally joins the other three major server makers in selling AMD-based x86 servers. The Round Rock, Texas-based Company long had sold only Intel-based machines. In September, the producer began selling AMD based PCs.
"This is really the beginning of what we hope to be a long relationship. I would expect us to roll out additional server products over time with AMD processors", said Parker. Dell announced this at the Oracle OpenWorld conference, where Chairman Michael Dell and AMD Chief Executive Hector Ruiz shared the stage, according to the same source.
"It's about time they did something. They've seen so much competition in the marketplace, particularly from HP, that their customers are probably asking, 'Why don't you offer me this?'", said IDC analyst Michelle Bailey quoted by Cnet. Computer makers sold $5.9 billion worth of x86 servers in the second quarter, according to market researcher Gartner Group, with Dell in second place after No. 1 Hewlett-Packard, but ahead of third-place IBM. "We feel real comfortable with our position in that part of the market," Parker said. "The competitiveness of the Intel-based products is excellent now."