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| Workstations: Continuing to Prove their Value Even in this Economy |
The economy has really taken its toll on industry, and the computer-aided design (CAD) industry is no exception. A main element in the CAD industry is the hardware, specifically workstations that allow engineers, architects and designers to do their jobs smoothly. With budget cutbacks, it has forced many to ask if workstations are a necessity or a luxury, and even more importantly, can mainstream computers be used to do the same things as workstations do? This is even more of an issue with the mainstreaming of 64-bit computing on operating systems like Windows 7, OS X Snow Leopard and some versions of Linux, and has opened the doors to mainstream computers being able to now take advantage of more memory and better performance.
So where does that leave workstations? Is there still a niche for them? Kathleen Maher, analyst from Jon Peddie Research says, most definitely: “adding all this up it might seem as if a specialized workstation was no longer necessary and buyers might be wise to look for best price rather than professional workstation features. That’s not true now, and it will be even less true in the future.” Simply stated, Maher believes that the following qualities prove a workstation’s value: advanced CPU processor and GPU, support for large amounts of system memory and expandable, error Correcting Memory (ECC), large amounts of storage and expandable, professional quality sturdy chassis, guaranteed service and support, and certified for targeted software. With increased visualization, analysis and model sizes an inevitable future, workstations with these qualities will continue to prove their value.
Through these changing times, Maher said it quite perfectly that you get what you pay for. In other words, if you want the benefits of having a smooth experience, instead of an often times frustrating experience, workstations, albeit more expensive than mainstream computers, are a better bet. Workstations maintain their niche that was carved out when the first workstation was introduced in 1980. The importance of workstations in the CAD industry is why it is this month’s Industry Spotlight focus. Articles in the spotlight will feature a workstation outlook from Maher, this year’s releases in graphics cards and high-end workstations, and more.
See the list of articles below and click here to access the Vendors Directory.
June 2010 |
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| Features |
| Workstation Industry Retakes Lost Market Share in 2010 |
| By Kathleen Maher, Jon Peddie Research |
| Analyst Kathleen Maher comments on workstation trends that have accelerated in 2010, including 64-bit, the Mac, job expectations and more. |
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| Power Up Your CAD Processes with the Latest Workstations |
| By John Myers, ConnectPress Editor |
| Here are some of the workstation, processor and graphics cards options to help you maximize your workflow. |
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| Expanding the Workstation Experience to More Knowledge Workers |
| By Intel Corporation |
| This new workstation, based on Intel Core i5 processors and the Intel 3450 chipset, delivers a workstation experience at near desktop prices. |
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| Workstations, the Way Forward |
| By Kathleen Maher, Jon Peddie Research |
| Kathleen Maher takes a look at how the workstations market is shaping out for 2010, including updates on GPU's, rendering tools and more. |
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| The Mac World Goes Pro – CAD Space Growing on the Mac |
| By Kathleen Maher, Jon Peddie Research |
| Maher provides an update on the increase in CAD applications being made available for MAC users and the impact of the new Apple iPad. |
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| News |
| Dell Unveils the World’s Most Powerful Mobile Workstation |
| Press Release Issued by Dell |
| Dell announces the Precision M6500. |
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| HP Delivers Exceptional Value, Performance with New Workstations and Displays |
| Press Release Issued by HP |
| HP today added new workstations and displays to its professional lineup, including the company’s first 14-inch mobile workstation. |
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| NVIDIA Quadro Makes Clean Sweep In Powering Newest Breed of Mobile Workstations |
| Press Release Issued by NVIDIA |
| NVIDIA Corp. announced the availability of its entire new line of Quadro professional graphics solutions for mobile workstations. |
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| The Workstation Market Takes Another Sizeable Step Forward in Q4'09, says Jon Peddie Research |
| Press Release Issued By Jon Peddie Research |
| JPR reports robust results for the workstation and professional graphics markets in Q4'09. |
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| New BOXX Rendering System Features Six Core Processors and Solid State Drives |
| Press Release Issued by BOXX Technologies |
| BOXX Technologies announced the release of renderBOXX 10400, the latest edition to their renderBOXX series. |
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| JPR Blog Gives First Impression of Six-Monitor System |
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| John Peddie discusses his initial thoughts on the six monitor ATI-based EyeFinity. |
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| HP Expands Workstation Series to Include Desk-side, Mobile and Small Form Factor Model |
| Press Release Issued by HP |
| HP unveiled workstation offerings that include the first small form factor workstation to be available in every region of the world. |
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| NVIDIA Announces GPU Technology Conference For 2010 |
| Press Release Issued By NVIDIA |
| NVIDIA announced that the GPU Technology Conference 2010 will take place on Monday, Sept. 20 to Thursday, Sept. 23 in San Jose, Calif. |
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| Company Expands Display Options for the SMB Customer |
| Press Release Issued By HP |
| HP today announced its first 30-inch monitor to display a range of more than 1 billion colors, the HP ZR30w S-IPS LCD Display. |
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| AMD Remote Graphics Enable Comprehensive and Secure Desktop Computing Experience from the Datacenter |
| Press Release Issued by AMD |
| AMD announced a remote graphics option for IT managers seeking to replace existing desktop workstations with energy-efficient thin-client solutions. |
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