Tech Watch

New Entry Point For Fault Tolerance
It may seem like overkill to introduce a fault-tolerant server to SMBs, but that's exactly what NEC is doing as it targets that market with its new Express5800/320Ma server.

Because the system is based on a single-socket architecture, the company says it was able to bring it into the sub-$12,000 price range while still providing the uptime associated with NEC's higher-end fault-tolerant servers. Based on the Intel Xeon processor line, the product runs either Linux or Windows Server.

NEC Espress 5800, Price: $12,000

Migrations From XP To Vista Simplified
With Microsoft's Windows Vista now shipping, the best way to refresh some customers' systems is to start with a clean slate. But for those who prefer to migrate data and applications from an existing PC to a new Vista-based system, there's another option: PC Mover from Laplink. Migrations can be performed over a network, with USB cables or using external storage media.

Laplink PC Mover, Price: $49.95

Size--and Speed--Matter
The drive in the IT space is toward better performance with smaller components, and hard drives are no exception to the rule. Seagate Technology has released the Savvio 15K, the latest and greatest addition to its Savvio family of 2.5-inch Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) enterprise drives. The Savvio 15K, which features high-performance density and reliability (1.6 million Mean Time Between Failures, or MTBF) with low power consumption, is aimed at customers of all sizes--from large data centers to SMBs. While 70 percent smaller than 3.5-inch drives, the Savvio 15K performs about 12 percent faster. It also uses 30 percent less power and offers a lower total cost of ownership.

Seagate Technology Savvio 15K, Price: Not available yet