----- Original Message ----
From: Rainer Duffner rainer@ultra-secure.de To: CentOS mailing list centos@centos.org Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2008 4:49:02 PM Subject: Re: [CentOS] OT: workstation recommends: Thinkmate?
Am 04.09.2008 um 21:36 schrieb Lanny Marcus:
Barry Olddog wrote:
I'm looking to buy a new workstation, and it looks like Thinkmate makes what I need -- their vsx "virtually silent" variety. I hestitate because I wasn't happy with a laptop I bought a few years ago from a small outfit that sold Linux boxes exclusively. Does anyone have experience with Thinkmate, and in particular, the VSX line? If the later, is it really quiet. I run Centos on four machines now, three of which are Dells, and I'm hoping to do better. The Dell T5400 is close to what I want, but I get more for less from Thinkpad -- at least on paper.
No experience with Thinkmate, or, knowledge of them, but 4 of the 5 computers in this room are Dell's. If Thinkmate is a long established company, with an excellent reputation, buy from them. If not, Dell will be around, to support your T5400, for a long time.
Indeed. But before I spent that much money on a PC, I'd want to *see* it and hear it. In reality. Anybody can claim to manufacture a "virtually silent" workstation.
Too bad, Apple is the only vendor that has stores and all models on display (at least, for desktops - but for a server, noise isn't relevant anyway).
How much is the price difference actually?
Rainer
The difference is about $1,000 -- 25% more for the Dell -- but the machines are not exactly the same.
Thinkmate is opteron, and the Dell, xeon -- which some would say is a factor in Dell's favor; Dell includes a RH subscription whether you want it or not; Dell has three hard drives (the max), Thinkmate four. With the Dell, the memory comes from Crucial, which means there's a waste of two small modules; Thinkmate sells memory at a reasonable price (I'm figuring 32 gigs).
The HP xw9400 is closer to the Thinkmate, but an extra $200 to $300, with memory from Crucial.
I'm just leery of a maker that I don't know; I searched for reviews and comments, but found almost nothing. Maybe that's telling me something.
Barry