HP bumps xw8600 and xw9400 workstations to the latest Intel and AMD chips

We're smack dab in the middle of NAB week, which means a steady progression of high-end product launches for things that we can't really afford but sure wouldn't mind cluttering up the HQ gadget stash. Like these here workstations from HP, the xw8600 and the xw9400. The former sports up to two Quad-Core Intel Xeon X5482 processors, while the latter runs on Quad-Core AMD Opteron 2300 procs. No word on price for either of these insanely fast configurations, but with the other niceties HP is tossing in, you're looking at a starting price above four grand.

[y3k.nik @ Apr 14th 2008 10:26AM]

Rather buy the car pictured then the computer for 4 grands...

[Will @ Apr 14th 2008 10:45AM]

I am only pointing it out because I noticed that you did this two posts in a row: it's "than" not "then."

[KCK @ Apr 14th 2008 12:59PM]

you can buy one bolt on the front wheel of that car for 4 grand

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 14th 2008 10:26AM]

Want....cannot....obtain....lack....funds...cars..look good... but prefer the one ... on.. the left.

This is just rediculous now. I HAVE to stop procrastinating on engadget and go and do some work. maybe you guys could help a student out by temporarily banning his ip address?

[Trond @ Apr 14th 2008 10:28AM]

In this day and age, why is there a floppy drive on an über-hardcore workstation? In case one needs to back up a hudredth of a .psd?

[Flashpoint @ Apr 14th 2008 10:40AM]

alot of people did so much work on Floppy disks back in the days that it makes absolutely no sense to NOT HAVE a floppy drive either internal or external.

Perfect example.

I wrote a bunch of Fiscal reports on Excel and Access back when memory was $100 for 128 MB of SDRAM.
I've got a box of floppy disks.

If I ever need to show a report to my CPA or to a COURT OF LAW... all I gotta do is upload them from the floppy to a flash stick or to an email.

Not having a floppy drive around is like having an ultraportable with no DVD-RW available.

[marc @ Apr 14th 2008 10:41AM]

I would bet it's for people in the video production, many of whom are not IT experts, to reliably do Windows fixes/restores from boot floppies and not have to deal with calling/paying a tech. I don't know how this translates to Vista stations, but that was the case with the XP work stations.

[Acidjoy @ Apr 14th 2008 12:05PM]

Funny you should mention the floppy Drive. I have over 1100 of the xw8400 deployed at work and we had a need for the floppy drive because of old out dated un-networked controllers. ME's would save cut paths on the floppy and slap on the machines

[KC @ Apr 14th 2008 12:55PM]

I guess the floppy drive is just for that annoying RAID driver during XP install... and for that one reason I think the floppy will stay until XP fully phases out

[Kique @ Apr 14th 2008 10:28AM]

It still has a floppy drive???

OMG!

[Seth @ Nov 6th 2008 8:28AM]

GAH!!! Too... many... wires....

$4k and no wireless...

2 years later and the same fugly keyboard and mouse...

For $4k there should be a pushbutton that would open the case with hydraulic pistons instead of that hatch pop release thing that HP is soooo fond of.

[tom @ Apr 14th 2008 11:45AM]

@Seth

It is a workstation, network speed and security comes first. The LAN speed is probably 1000+

But I agree, the kb and mouse does look fugly

[Eric @ Apr 14th 2008 11:31AM]

Are you kidding me? I can build a workstation to do video for $300 and a dual floppy setup! What do I need $4,000 for? I'll just build my own and use the rest of my money for therapy!

[thedesolate1 @ Apr 14th 2008 12:33PM]

You would think that for $4K they would atleast install TWO floppy drives. Since you know they are SO important in modern computing.

[KC @ Apr 14th 2008 12:55PM]

I'm in for dual floppy in RAID

[linusk01 @ Apr 14th 2008 1:33PM]

i'm a fan. though i own a xw4600 workstation, since the other models used xeons, and i just wanted a prebuilt computer with good components for gaming. plus, 3 yrs parts/labor/onsite warranty. lol not to sound like ad, but as far as buying premade comp, i'd say hp workstation is best bet unless you want to deal with matx tower, cable-tangles galore, lame chipsets, and old components in tacky packages :)

[linusk01 @ Apr 14th 2008 1:41PM]

lol, plus, floppy drives are optional(mine is pictured with one, and yet my model doesnt have one) , so stop trashing pictures...

and more validation: 1200 bucks from resellers for an e6850, 4gb ddr2800, 2x 250gb hd's @ 7200, plus the warranty, and then i just had to spend 180 for my radeon 3870 :) lol. oh, bragging.... (blame it on my lack of work)

[WyattERP @ Apr 14th 2008 2:46PM]

The irony! I am currently in the process of purchasing over 100 of the XW9400s for my work project. 30 of them will be customized with 16 GB or RAM, a 1.5GB nVidia Quadro card, and 10 gigabit ethernet. Yes, TEN GIGABIT ethernet. Each unit with a 30" monitor runs about 10 grand. Overall the order should cost close to 800 grand. Buying computers with the governments budget is fun! Thanks for your tax dollars people.

[jamieh @ Apr 14th 2008 7:19PM]

MY GOD, is that a floppy drive??

[jonathan @ Apr 14th 2008 9:17PM]

LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO!!!

too bad you can see Audi written all over the new LP560-4