----- 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
On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 4:02 PM, Barry Olddog oldcanine@yahoo.com wrote:
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.
Isn't Thinkmate a spinoff of IBM? Or am I confused by the Thinkpad/Thinkstation/<whatever> terminology?
mhr
MHR wrote:
On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 4:02 PM, Barry Olddog oldcanine@yahoo.com wrote:
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.
Isn't Thinkmate a spinoff of IBM? Or am I confused by the Thinkpad/Thinkstation/<whatever> terminology?
it appears (googled it) Thinkmate is a small 'whitebox' server integrator in Massachussetts, until recently known as SAG Electronics.
Am 05.09.2008 um 01:47 schrieb MHR:
On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 4:02 PM, Barry Olddog oldcanine@yahoo.com wrote:
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.
Isn't Thinkmate a spinoff of IBM? Or am I confused by the Thinkpad/Thinkstation/<whatever> terminology?
Honi soit qui mal y pense.... ;-)
Rainer
Am 05.09.2008 um 01:02 schrieb Barry Olddog:
----- 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.
If HP is an option, I'd go for HP. I've never seen an XW9400 personally, but I'd trust HP on this one. If you don't go for Quad-Core, you can pick up cheap(er) DC XW9400s on ebay.
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.
Thinkmate claims an impressive customer-list. However, they don't say what each of the companies bought. Could be case-screws, but also a train-waggon full of workstations. I'd ask if they have them on display somewhere ;-)
Rainer
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Barry Olddog -
John R Pierce -
MHR -
Rainer Duffner