IBM Introduces Ultra-Powerful Workstations With Server-Inspired Reliability

New IBM IntelliStation Workstations Harness Intel and IBM POWER Processor Technologies and Extreme 3D Graphics for High-End Visualization

ARMONK, NY - 18 Nov 2002: IBM today announced an enhanced line of Intel® and POWER™ processor-based IntelliStation workstations designed for demanding technical applications including engineering, digital media, electronic design automation, petroleum exploration, and life sciences. By bringing server-inspired technology to its IntelliStation workstations, IBM distinguishes its technical platforms from competitors and provides customers with an open and complete workstation solution including hardware, pre-loaded software, systems management technology and services.

• Diagnostic LEDs to direct the system administrator to a compromised component, helping to ensure uptime;

• Integrated RAID mirroring storage solutions for continuous backup of vital information;

• ECC memory (Error Checking and Correcting) to ensure data precision;

• S.M.A.R.T. hard disk drives to predict the risk of failure before trouble occurs; and

• Robust power supplies to support rich configurations and provide long system life.

"IBM is staking a claim for workstation leadership in this next major phase in the e-business revolution. We're taking some of our best server technology and graphics technologies, and making it available in our new IntelliStation lineup to achieve revolutionary application performance and reliability," said John Holz, vice president, IBM IntelliStation workstations. "By leveraging robust eServer technology in the IntelliStation workstation line, IBM will provide our technical customers with powerful, open solutions for graphics- and compute-intensive applications at breakthrough prices."

"Speed is life in the hunt for oil and gas through massive data volumes, and the new IBM IntelliStation Z Pro 6221 running Linux has shown excellent performance for 3D visualization, noticeably faster than the previous generation of workstations," said John Sherman, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Systems for Landmark Graphics. "Our latest generation of Linux software applications enables users to see more data and generate more drilling prospects faster than ever before, enabling us to take full advantage of the performance we can get from the latest graphic workstations. The new IBM IntelliStation workstation easily exceeds our expectations for high speed and low price point."

Leading IntelliStation Performance
The mid-range IntelliStation M Pro 6219 is designed for the ultimate in graphics performance, hosting a choice of 2D and 3D graphics accelerators from Matrox, NVIDIA and 3Dlabs, up to 4.0GB dual channel DDR memory and a sleek, versatile design that fits easily under a desk and is rack mountable. [1] Front-mounted ports for USB 2.0, audio and IEEE 1394 offer convenient connections, while the easy-access chassis makes for quick upgrades and servicing. To handle graphic-intensive workloads, the company also included new technologies such as an Intel Pentium 4 processor up to 3.06GHz [2], 533MHz system bus, 8X AGP graphics, Ultra320 SCSI, and integrated Gigabit Ethernet. IBM systems management tools are designed to help lower customer costs and downtime. The new workstation will start at $2,335. [3]

The high-end IntelliStation Z Pro 6221--in a new compact minitower-- is optimized for multitasking and multithreaded applications with available dual Intel Xeon processors up to 2.8GHZ and up to 8.0GB DDR memory. [4] The 64-bit I/O architecture doubles the data path with dual-channel Ultra320 SCSI, 64-bit PCI-X slots and full-bandwidth Gigabit Ethernet. A choice of advanced and extreme 8X AGP 3D graphics accelerators from NVIDIA and 3Dlabs completes the picture. The robust system design and systems management features are designed to maximize availability. The IntelliStation Z Pro will start at $3,189. [3]

With more than 20 years of experience in 3D visualization for MCAD/CAE, geophysical and scientific analysis, IBM today also introduced the IntelliStation POWER p630 with up to 16GB ECC memory and a choice of advanced 3D graphic adapters. The new 64-bit workstation -- the first to employ the IBM POWER4 processor in single or dual configurations -- offers the advanced texturing and lighting of the IBM GXT4500 or GXT6500 graphics accelerators. The IntelliStation POWER p630 supports AIX 5L (UNIX), which offers APIs and a toolbox to aid in porting Linux applications to AIX 5L. The p630 is particularly well suited for design and analysis applications such as CATIA. The new model will start at $12,495 without a graphics card.

These IntelliStation workstations are available with the high-resolution 22.2" diagonal IBM T221 TFT/LCD monitor. The combination of IntelliStation with 8x AGP 3D graphics accelerator from NVIDIA and the T221 provides world leading 9.2 Million pixel (204 pixels per inch) resolution for high-end visualization solutions. The clear resolution is ideal for applications such as automotive design, satellite imagery, digital content creation, picture archiving and communication systems, medical reference, network visualization, nuclear modeling, and seismic analysis.

All of IBM's workstations are subjected to stringent hardware testing for demanding work environments. These new designs have passed IBM's electronics and mechanical regimen including full-load thermal stress testing, and drop testing from desk-height to demonstrate their rugged survivability. Additionally, the systems undergo application stress testing to validate real-world performance.

Leading independent software vendors (ISVs) are currently certifying or compatibility-testing a comprehensive portfolio of business-critical applications on the new IntelliStation workstations running strategic operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Linux and AIX. These include CATIA from Dassault Systemes, AutoCAD from Autodesk, and applications from Landmark Graphics, Cadence and ANSYS.

IBM also announced today a new server based on the latest Intel technology. The IBM eServer x225 now features the Intel Xeon processor with up to 533 MHz Front Side Bus speed. The two-way tower system is targeted for small and medium size businesses to help with file, print, e-mail, web applications and distributed environments. The x225 will start at $1,529. [5] IBM also expanded its SMB offering with the x205VL featuring the Intel Pentium 4 Celeron processor. The x205VL starts at $599. [5]

About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.

*The IBM eServer brand consists of the established IBM e-business logo with the following descriptive term "server" following it. The following are either trademarks or registered of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both: IBM, the IBM e-business logo, and IntelliStation. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company, Limited. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All others are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Statements concerning IBM's future development plans and schedules are made for planning purposes only, and are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.

[1] On all IntelliStation models, maximum memory may require replacement of standard memory with optional maximum memory module.

[2] GHz/MHz only measures microprocessor internal clock speed. Many factors affect application performance.

[3] IBM web price as of November 18, 2002. Price does not include tax or shipping and is in U.S. dollars and valid in the U.S. only. Pricing subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary. Starting price may not contain all features listed in this release.

[4] Maximum physical memory is 8.0GB running under select Linux distributions; addressable capacity will be less. Maximum physical memory is 4.0GB running under Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system; addressable capacity will be less.

[5] IBM web price as of November 18, 2002. Prices are in U.S. dollars and valid in the U.S. only. Price does not include tax or shipping and is subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary. Price may not include a hard drive, operating system or other features.