Appletell

Psystar is now branding themselves as “the leading provider of Mac-compatible computers,” and they’ve released server grade machines. Server-grade machines are all well and good, but “the leading provider of Mac-compatible computers?” Really?

First of all, every computer on the market today—HP, Dell, and tons of others—is Mac-compatible. After all, the Mac is a computer, and it communicates back and forth with these other computers. Assuming they meant “Mac OS X-compatible,” did they completely forget Apple existed? Or, have their sales somehow shot up above Apple’s recently? Also, I don’t know what they think “compatible” means, but the Psystar OpenComputer is just as compatible with OS X as any other computer is. The only difference is that it comes pre-installed with Leopard, while others require some do-it-yourself.

Questionable branding aside, let’s move on to the newest addition to the OpenComputer family, the OpenServ. It comes in many different configuration options, most comparable to Apple’s XServe, and at $1,000 off the XServe’s price. This raises colossal questions, however. Would you trust the hacked OS to run your server? Would you trust that Psystar would be around long enough to support the server? Would you trust the quality of a machine that is said to be comparable to and a stripped down version of the XServe in the same sentence? Do you think you will remain sane after hearing the 24/7 full-blast fans that are likely to be a feature of the OpenServ, just like the OpenComputer?

Sound off in the comments below.

Product [Psystar]

Extensis has announced its next generation server based font management system for Windows and Macintosh. The system is titled Universal Type Server (UTS), and is shipping on June 18th.

This program provides users with a new way to manage fonts and font metadata all on a server. UTS is designed to be used in IT and Design environments, and uses web based programs to distribute package based installers to specific clients from a single location.

Details after the break.

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After announcing their new Xsan 2 software, Apple has terminated production as the Xserve RAID. Apple has been promoting this solution of RAID storage for pro environment for many years, but that time has come to an end. If you head over to the page on the store, you won’t be greeted with pictures and reflections of the Xserve RAID, but Promise’s Vtrak E-Class RAID subsystem. Don’t understand why the canceled this product? I didn’t either, Apple’s told us though. Here’s why:

Promise’s VTrak E-Class RAID delivers a great combination of performance, features and value. When configured with Xsan 2 and Final Cut Studio 2, it can deliver up to 6 streams of 8-bit uncompressed high definition video, 22 streams of ProRes HQ compressed HD video and 26 streams of 8-bit uncompressed SD video at costs as low as $1.12 per GB.

Anuj Nayar of Apple noted that they will continue to sell the 500 and 750 GB drive modules. If you try to purchase one of this you’ll get a sad, but true message:

The item you have selected is currently not available from the Apple Store.
Please note that Apple cannot guarantee availability of any product.

Via [Gizmodo]

In the midst of all the Mac Pro frenzy, the other update that Apple released today, an update to their XServe was largely overlooked. The new XServes were updated with the same architecture as the new Mac Pros. The standard configuration is as follows [from Apple.com].

• One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5400 series processor
• 2GB (2x1GB) 800MHz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMMs
• 80GB 7200-rpm SATA Apple Drive Module with 8MB cache
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet
• Internal Graphics
• Two FireWire(R) 800 and three USB 2.0 ports
• Unlimited Client License for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Server

Read [Apple.com]