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IBM looks to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo as profits crash

arstechnica.com

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Re: IBM looks to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo as profits crash

#11

Post by cones688 »

erikj wrote: post #9

So, are they still selling POWER/PowerPC servers? Would this product line be affected?

I don't think they would as most of the Power stuff is linked to AIX licenses and is fairly "unique".

The offload of the x-series business is most likely due to the fact that IBM can't compete on price with the volumes which HP & Dell shift. IBM have no real USP on X86 as enterprise are now mostly putting ESX, Xen or Openstack on them, IBM have no potential license or service fees generation.

It seems a sound business decision to me.

Re: IBM looks to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo as profits crash

#12

Post by spitfire »

cones688 wrote: post #11
erikj wrote: post #9

So, are they still selling POWER/PowerPC servers? Would this product line be affected?

I don't think they would as most of the Power stuff is linked to AIX licenses and is fairly "unique". The offload of the x-series business is most likely due to the fact that IBM can't compete on price with the volumes which HP & Dell shift. IBM have no real USP on X86 as enterprise are now mostly putting ESX, Xen or Openstack on them, IBM have no potential license or service fees generation. It seems a sound busines…

"We don't need the low end. Let them have it."

Didn't the american car companies take that route too? And steel mills. and... mainframes I think.

Re: IBM looks to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo as profits crash

#14

Post by nooneelsebut »

While from a business standpoint, this is perfectly viable and a smart move on IBM's part, in the long-term, seeing how Lenovo has ruined the Think brand, I would be wary of spinning off any more operations to Lenovo.

They just don't have clear product focus, but in this world, I guess shareholders rule. Even if those shareholders don't act in the best interest of the company.

Re: IBM looks to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo as profits crash

#16

Post by clauretano »

Samuel_Michon wrote: post #8
dsr_ wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kneejerk much? The context is server hardware. Apple gave up on the market; the only relevant offering is the very low end Mac Mini Server.

You may want to read GP's comment again. He believes that all branded computers are on their way out and he uses the (fictitious) decline of Apple's PC business as proof. GP is obviously not talking about just Apple's server offerings. It'd be pretty silly if he were, since Apple has never had any meaningful marketshare in servers. Also, Apple doesn’t only sell Mac Mini servers, it also sells Mac Pro Servers. Priced…

FWIW, a Mac mini server is a regular mini with two 2.5" hard drives (not hot-swappable or even user accessible) and a token to download Server.app from the App Store. Apple can't even be bothered to list a rack mount kit or 220V PDU-compatible power cable in their store.

That said, they work well enough.

Re: IBM looks to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo as profits crash

#17

Post by jessriedel »

dsr_ wrote: post #7
Samuel_Michon wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“Apple's share is shrinking” No, it’s not. It has outperformed the rest of the PC market for years and continues to gain marketshare. http://www.asymco.com/2013/04/11/happy-birthday-ipad/

Kneejerk much? The context is server hardware. Apple gave up on the market; the only relevant offering is the very low end Mac Mini Server.

> Kneejerk much?

This completely ruins your comment. Please try to keep things friendly.

Re: IBM looks to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo as profits crash

#18

Post by astrodust »

dsr_ wrote: post #7
Samuel_Michon wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“Apple's share is shrinking” No, it’s not. It has outperformed the rest of the PC market for years and continues to gain marketshare. http://www.asymco.com/2013/04/11/happy-birthday-ipad/

Kneejerk much? The context is server hardware. Apple gave up on the market; the only relevant offering is the very low end Mac Mini Server.

Apple has never had a meaningful market share in the server arena. It's virtually 0%. It can't shrink because it doesn't exist in the first place.

Xserve and XSAN were never specifically for enterprise, but rather as support infrastructure for things like large Avid or Final Cut installations. There have been only a handful of cases where Xserve was deployed en-masse.

Re: IBM looks to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo as profits crash

#19

Post by thereallurch »

erikj wrote: post #9

So, are they still selling POWER/PowerPC servers? Would this product line be affected?

Why would POWER be affected by this decision? Everyone and their mother sells a x86 server. Hard to make a profit when everyone is competing. How many other companies sell POWER hardware?
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