Re: [cobalt-users] Cobalt Alternative

[Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kris Dahl wrote:

> Aha!  We've got a K6 supporter in our midst! Your true colors have been
> shown! heh
> 
> I would say that if anything, Intel certainly has a track record for
> processors in servers that AMD just doesn't have.

True.  And not one of them (processors in servers) recommended by Intel
has ever been a Celeron.  Celeron's design criteria was to build a
less-capable product to sell at a lower price.  To specifically NOT
compete with Pentiums.  AMD's design criteria was to build a chip
capable of competing with Pentiums.

> You know what's funny?  I see the Cobalt gear as like a 'Stepping Stone' or
> 'Starter Server' lately.  A lot of the people that I have been talking to
> that have a Raq are happy with them, but they probably will be going with a
> heavier-duty server for their next machine.  They sort of get their feet wet
> with Linux on the Raq and then step up.
> 
> Is Cobalt building machines that will harbor repeat business?  Some would
> argue that their support is lackluster (I would, of course, argue that you
> bought it from the wrong VAR).  As their customers grow (in size and
> demands), will Cobalt's product line match?  I could see a higher end
> machine fitting nicely into the product line.

Cobalt's current RaQ series (and related advertising) appear to be
targeted towards hosting companies who want to fit a lot of
low/no-maintenance systems into a small amount of space.  There's no
reason for that target market to switch.

Cobalt is working on other systems for slightly different markets.  Mind
you, I don't know anything specific, and if I did I'd be under
nondisclosure, but keep watching.

Nothing in the above paragraphs should be construed as defending the
slow response of their tech support however.  My track record is that
support is good once you get a reply, but in the server market reply
delays should be measured in fractions of minutes, not in multiples of
days.

That's the biggest failing I personally see, and I hope they're working
towards fixing it.

Jeff
-- 
Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
nobaloney.net
P. O. Box 52672
Riverside, CA  92517
voice: (909) 787-8589  *  fax: (909) 782-0205