Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best Xserve Prices

2012.02.28

Short link: http://bit.ly/gL1Vu

Apple introduced the Xserve 1U server in May 2002 and discontinued the last model at the end of January 2011. Xserve has always provided lots of power in very little space but never became a big player in the server market. You can buy the latest model with one or two quad-core (8 cores total) 2.8 GHz Intel Xeon CPUs or two quad-core (8 cores total) 3.0 GHz one, and it includes 1 GB of memory, an 80 GB hard drive, a Combo drive, and an unlimited user license for Mac OS X 10.5 Server.

Apple has since introduced a Mac Pro that ships with Mac OS X 10.6 Server. For those on a budget, Apple introduced a Mac mini configured with two 500 GB hard drives and Mac OS X 10.6 Server with a $999 retail price - see our Best Mac mini Deals for recent prices.

If you're buying a second-hand Intel-based Xserve, you can upgrade to OS X 10.6 Server for less than $500.

Earlier Xserves were built around one or two G4 and G5 CPUs. Used equipment usually carries a 90 day warranty and should include an unlimited user version of Mac OS X Server.

Apple has also discontinued the Xserve RAID line of storage devices.

Xserve

Best Xserve Prices

1 GHz dual G4, 10.3 Server, $249 shipped, PowerMax
1.33 GHz dual G4, 10.3 Server, $299 shipped, PowerMax
2.0 GHz dual G5, 10.3 Server, $469 shipped, Power Max
2.3 GHz dual G5, 10.4 Server, $600, MacResource
2.0 GHz dual-core Xeon, 10.4 Server, $1,500, MacResource
2.8 GHz 4-core Xeon, 10.4 Server, $1,619 shipped, PowerMax
3.0 GHz 4-core Xeon, 10.4 Server, $1,859 shipped, PowerMax

Recent Memory Prices

For G4: 1 GB kit (2 x 512 MB), $23.99
For G5: 2 GB kit (2 x 1 GB), $79.99
For 2006 Xeon kits: 2 GB, $81.99; 4 GB, $114.99; 8 GB, $227.99; 16 GB, $449.99; 32 GB, $1,029.99
For 2008 Xeon kits: 2 GB, $79.99; 4 GB, $119.99; 8 GB, $239.97; 16 GB, $459.99; 32 GB, $1,049.99
For 2009 4-core Xeon: 6 GB, $58.99; 8 GB, $77.99; 12 GB, $114.99; 16 GB, $149.99; 24 GB, $299.97; 32 GB, $399; 48 GB, $597.99
For 2009 8-core Xeon: 6 GB, $58.99; 8 GB, $77.99; 12 GB, $114.99; 16 GB, $149.99; 24 GB, $299.97; 32 GB, $399; 48 GB, $5979.99; 64 GB, $794.99; 96 GB, $1,179.99

Mac OS X and OS X Server Prices

Listings note RAM/hard drive size. Every Xserve ships with a 16x dual-layer SuperDrive. Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possible sales tax. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a printer, extra RAM, etc.

Our advice: If you plan on upgrading RAM, do it yourself. And if you plan on installing a larger hard drive, order your Xserve with the least expensive hard drive Apple offers (currenty 250 MB) and do it yourself.

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Xserve Profiles

Xserve G4/1 GHz, May 2002, 2 GB maximum PC2100 RAM, single or dual, OS X Server 10.1 through 10.5
Xserve G4/1.33 GHz, Feb. 2003, 2 GB maximum PC2700 RAM, single or dual, OS X Server 10.2 through 10.5
Xserve G5/2 GHz, Jan. 2004, 8 GB maximum PC3200 RAM, single or dual, OS X Server 10.3 through 10.5
Xserve G5/2.3 GHz, Jan. 2005, 8 GB maximum DDR400 RAM, single or dual, OS X Server 10.3 through 10.5
Xserve Xeon, 2.0-3.0 GHz, Aug. 2006, 32 GB maximum 667 MHz DDR2 RAM, dual, OS X Server 10.4 and newer
Xserve Xeon Quad-core, 2.8-3.0 GHz, Jan. 2008, 32 GB maximum 800 MHz DDR2 RAM, OS X Server 10.5.1 and newer
Xserve Xeon Nehalem, 4-core & 8-core, 2.26-2.93 GHz, Apr. 2009, 32 GB maximm 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM, OS X Server 10.5.1 and newer

Used and Store Refurbished

Used and store refurbished units carry a store warranty and are not eligible for AppleCare.

Affordable Computers

Ground shipping may add $97 or more.

2.0 GHz dual G5, 1 GB/2 x 80, no operating system, $499

PowerMax

Free ground shipping.

G4 Xserve

1 GHz dual G4, 2 GB/60/CD, OS X 10.3 Server (no media), Radeon 7000, $249 shipped
1.33 GHz dual G4, 2 GB/60/CD, OS X 10.3 Server (no media), Radeon 7000, $299 shipped
other configurations listed

G5 Xserve

2.0 GHz single G5, 5 GB/250/Combo, Radeon 7000, OS X 10.4 Server (discs included), $469 shipped
2.3 GHz dual G5, 3 GB/80 + 500/Combo, Radeon 7000, OS X 10.4 Server (no media), $879 shipped
other configurations listed

Intel Xserve

2.8 GHz 2 dual-core Xeon, 4 GB/80/SD, Intel X1300, OS X 10.5 Server (no media), $1,619 shipped
3.0 GHz 2 dual-core Xeon, 4 GB/300/SD, Intel X1300, OS X 10.5Server (no media), $1,859 shipped
other configurations listed

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