Dell Delivers Microsoft x64 Operating Systems, Services and OS Update Program Enabling Broad Industry Deployment of Standards-Based 64-Bit
Round Rock, Texas, April 25, 2005 — Dell will factory install Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions operating systems (OS) across Dell Precision workstation and PowerEdge server lines, delivering customers a reliable, standards-based migration path for realizing exponential gains in system memory addressability and improved application performance. Dell today also reinforced available professional services that support faster migration and realization of the enhanced security, scalability and performance features available in the x64-bit operating systems.
“Dell hardware has been 64-bit ready since June 2004 and we have worked extensively with Intel, Microsoft and applications vendor partners to drive development of standards-based solutions that ensure customers an easy migration path to 64-bit computing,” said Jeff Clarke, senior vice president, Product Group, Dell. “Dell is committed to helping customers migrate from costly, proprietary platforms to cost-effective, scalable and standards-based environments. This is the same standards-based strategy that has delivered Dell workstation customers up to 10 times the performance at 1/10th the cost since our entry into the workstation market.”
Workstation customers can order today the Dell Precision 470 and 670 with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition factory installed. Dell PowerEdge servers with integrated Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions will be available in June. The new operating systems are designed to take full advantage of 64-bit technology while maintaining compatibility with most 32-bit applications. Additional benefits include increased memory addressability which can provide enhanced performance on 32-bit applications utilizing more than 4GB of memory such as databases, technical (CAD, mechanical design) and high-performance computing clusters (HPCC).
“Windows on x64 architecture will appeal to a broad range of customers – providing them greater choice and access to the best of both 32-bit and 64-bit processing on one platform,” said Bob Muglia, Senior Vice President, Windows Server Division at Microsoft. “With partners like Dell working with us to offer Windows X64 Editions on workstations and servers we are establishing the x64 value proposition that we believe will enable broad customer deployment of 64-bit computing.”
Design With the Power, Flexibility of 64-bit Workstations
Dell Precision 470 and 670 customers who rely on their independent software vendor (ISV)-certified hardware for enhanced productivity and maximum uptime can now address up to 16GB1 memory enabling more realistic animation and enhanced virtual environments such as 3-D.
Dell Precision dual processor systems are powered by 64-Bit Intel Xeon processors and feature the latest in OpenGL graphics technology. The recently launched Dell Precision 380 will support Windows XP Professional x64 Edition in May and feature access to up to 8GB1 of RAM.
“With 64-bit computing, 3-D artists creating visual effects and animation for films, broadcast, post production and games will be able to significantly streamline time-consuming tasks such as modeling, texturing, and rendering. Benefits such as the ability to access more than 4GB1 of RAM will enable our customers to deliver outstanding 3-D imagery with greater levels of detail – faster than ever before,” said Marc Stevens, director of product marketing and research & development for Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. “We’re impressed by the dramatic increases in overall performance and capability that we have seen the Dell Precision 670 demonstrate running our technology preview of 64-bit SOFTIMAGE |XSI software.”
Servers Deliver Enhanced Performance with Room for Future Growth
Dell is again delivering on its commitment to pushing standards further into the data center with the upcoming integration of Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions. PowerEdge servers running the x64-bit OS will support both existing 32-bit and 64-bit applications and will deliver customers considerable database, online-transaction processing and web-serving performance improvements.
Dell is qualifying Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions on its current range of PowerEdge servers and peripherals to ensure easy deployment of the OS across the enterprise. Dell also supports its award winning OpenManageTM system management software suite on Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions.
In March Dell announced it is currently testing and validating 64-bit ready applications for PowerEdge servers including Oracle Database 10g and 10g Real Application Clusters, and Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Dell is delivering complete end-to-end 64-bit certified solutions to ensure customers’ hardware investment protection as they migrate to 64-bit infrastructures.
Migration Made Easy with Dell Services and OS Update Program
Dell offers a full suite of migration services, from assessment and planning to validation and deployment. Dell performs more than three million customer deployments each year to simplify the adoption of standards-based technology. These experiences help customers decrease downtime of essential business activities by providing a high quality, low risk migration process. Dell services also can help customers realize the cost savings and performance advantages of running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions on Dell’s industry-standard technology. For more information on available Dell services, please visit www.dell.com/services.
Dell Precision2 workstations and PowerEdge3 servers with 64-bit Intel Xeon processors purchased with Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003 (32-bit versions) may be eligible to obtain Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions license and media, as applicable. This OS update program is available to customers for a nominal shipping charge.
Same Powerful Applications, Enhanced Capabilities
Dell’s standards-based Dell Precision and PowerEdge product lines have had the ability to run the x64 versions of Windows since last summer. For more information on Dell Precision, please visit www.dell.com/precision. For more information on Dell PowerEdge servers, visit www.dell.com/server. For more information on 64-bit operating systems and the OS update program, please visit www.dell.com/64bit.
About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) is a trusted and diversified information-technology supplier and partner, and sells a comprehensive portfolio of products and services directly to customers worldwide. Dell, recognized by Fortune magazine as America’s most admired company and No. 3 globally, designs, builds and delivers innovative, tailored systems that provide customers with exceptional value. Company revenue for the past year was $49.2 billion. For more information about Dell and its products and services, visit www.dell.com.
2. Eligible workstations shipped between June 2004 and June 30, 2005 include the Dell Precision 370, 470, and 670. Availability start dates vary by location.
3. Applies to PowerEdge servers, except the PowerEdge 800 and SC420, purchased between August 2, 2004 and June 30, 2005. Availability start dates vary by location.
