billaud@geocub.UUCP (Michel Billaud) (10/22/87)
In my CS Dept. we are planning to buy (next year) a new mini-computer to be used with 30-50 ttys. Our students mainly learn how to program in several languages (Pascal, Cobol, etc...), to use databases, and s.o. (no CAD equipment needed, nor FP array processors...) We're of course investigating different solutions. HP proposes us a hp9000 model 840, which seems a possible candidate. [our budget is -of course- quite limited... generous donators are welcome :-)] Opinions of HP 9000 840 users needed... Thanks. Please e-mail directly to mcvax!inria!geocub!billaud . Thanks again Michel BILLAUD mcvax!inria!geocub!billaud Departement Informatique IUT A Domaine Universitaire 33405 TALENCE - Cedex FRANCE -- Michel Billaud / Greco de Programmation / ...!decvax!mcvax!inria!geocub!billaud
tbc@hplsdly.HP.COM (Tim Chambers) (10/25/87)
Since I work for HP I'm sure you won't trust my biased opinion that the 800
series is superb, so I will start the responses with the following
commentaries found on CompuServe by another HP-ite who then posted it to HP's
notes system.
Tim Chambers
Productivity Manager
Logic Systems Division
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#: 3038 S10/Hardware
17-Oct-87 16:35:04
Sb: HP 9000 Series 840
Fm: Bill Gaines 76317,770
To: Ben Klausner 76337,1730 (X)
We really love this machine. We have had our machine for 9 months and have had
no problems. The machine is a complete implemtation of the SVID with alot of
Berkley enhancements. It also has a good set of real time features that have
made it very useful to my company.
The port of our software to the HP 9000 Series 840 is really our second port to
a Unix machine. Our first attempt was to a set of Apollo workstations that was
a real mistake. The Unix on the Apollo machines has more problems than I have
ever seen in an operating system. There support is also non-existant.
Our original software was written for HP 1000 computers. The HP 1000 is a
technical real time machine that has been very useful to our company. Because
we leverage the second most HP techinical computer sales in the whole country,
HP approached us about two years ago and asked us if we would like to port our
software to a new technical computer that was under development and had a new
RISC architecture. We jumped at the oppurtunity.
Our first involvement with the machine was at HP's software evaluation and
migration center (SEMC). At the SEMC, we were amazed. These new machines were
speed demons. The software that we had earlier ported to the Apollo
workstations was easy to get running. We had no problems except getting around
some kludges we put in because of the Apollo computers. The software help
given at the SEMC is unbelievable also. The SEMC assigns you an engineer that
is a real guru. What the engineer does not know, he calls the HP lab across
the street (where the software was written) to find out and gets them involved.
#: 3039 S10/Hardware
17-Oct-87 16:35:12
Sb: #HP 9000 Series 840
Fm: Bill Gaines 76317,770
To: Ben Klausner 76337,1730 (X)
The last thing you asked about was HP support. In my opinion, HP has the best
software support in the industry. Their HP 1000 support is excellent, and so
far their HP 9000 support has been just as good.
In summary, the HP 9000 Series 840 is an excellent machine. It allows easy
porting of software from other Unix System V machines. It is very fast. HP's
support is unsurpassed.
I would be interested in hearing what you think if you get one of these
machines.
#: 3067 S10/Hardware
18-Oct-87 14:56:56
Sb: #3039-HP 9000 Series 840
Fm: Ben Klausner 76337,1730
To: Bill Gaines 76317,770
Bill... Thanks for the quick reply. The company I joined recently has a line
of vertical software for the hotel business, that runs under System V on a
variety of hardware. We have a new product in the wings, and the first client
it is going to is running an HP 9000 850 in Mexico. The timing was such that
we were also looking to upgrade our own in house capabilities for development,
documentation, and general office chores. Have been looking at both the 825
and the 840, trying to make up our minds. The 825 would probably be adequate
for the near term, but I suspect that we would outgrow it within 6-9 months.
The other factor is that we needed the machine yesterday (what else is new),
and the 840 has a much quicker delivery than the newer 825.
Am certainly much more impressed with HPs Unix expertise than I ever was with
DECs. Of course, that isn't really saying anything <grin>.
Will let you know how it works out. If we opt for the 840, will probably get a
loaner in as early as this week (if I can get our AC power upgraded by then).
Thanks again. [bk]