SGI purchase
3 messages in this thread
Hi,
I'm about to purchase two SGI workstations from someone. I haven't seen
them yet, and fear I might be getting less than what I bargained for ( $2000
for complete 24" monitor-equipped stations). The thing is, I can find my way
around PCs, but NOT around SGIs. Is there anyone in this Forum who could give
me A LOT of information about older SGI models ( for I am convinced that I'm
about to buy "old" models…). I need to know their market values, their strong
and weak points and all that stuff. Please reply either in this Forum or
through e-mail…
Thanks!!
Philippe,
SGI Machines are wounderful, if you are willing to pay a higher price for
software, service, and maintanance. Your greatest concern when buying computer
related stuff is not the computer, but the software available for the computer.
First settle on the software you want to use, then find the best platform for
you needs and personality. Some software is available on many different
platforms so software is less of an issue than the computer you buy.
UNIX is difficult when you are used to DOS or MOS. Manuals are even worse, be
ready for a very steep climb.
Which machine(s) are you going to buy? It makes a big difference. The Indigo is
the furthest I would go back in the product line. If they are offering an
Extreme or higher you could easily be getting you moneies worth. Be aware that
the OS (operating system) software is not cheap either, like you may be used to
with DOS at $100 or so. SGI system software can be hundreds of dollars unles
bundled with software or special cards. The lastest is around 5.0 UNIX.
But, they are nice when you get the hang of them.
Send me more info on what you are being offered and the price. I happen to have
a set up on an older Indigo which is pretty nice which I can detail out for you
if you'd like, complete with video capture, record, input output, animation
software, etc… which I can let you have for a very reasonable price if the
other SGI machines don't seem rightr for you.
Greg
<< The lastest is around 5.0 UNIX. >>
Just for the clarification Greg, IRIX is currently at 5.3 for almost all of
their systems and 6.0.1 for most of the Challenge series.
Mark