Server Manufacturers Focus on Opteron

For the enterprise, Microsoft is beta-testing Server 2003 Standard and Enterprise Editions, as well as Windows XP for Extended 64-bit Systems. Sun has developed an x86 version of Solaris 9 to support its Sun Fire Opteron Servers, and EMC's VMware has committed to supporting extended 64-bit systems within the next 18 months.

It's unlikely that HP, IBM and Sun started building Opteron servers because IT managers were beating down their doors. Rather, the industry recognized Opteron's outstanding cost-performance ratio, increased memory management and ability to concurrently support 32- and extended 64-bit applications. Although negative impressions are hard to change, a little comparison-testing might go a long way toward altering your view of AMD's future role within your organization.