Xserve Specs History

On April 7, 2009, the Xserve was updated with Intel Xeon ("Gainestown") processors at 2.26GHz, 2.66GHz, or 2.93GHz, PC3-8500 DDR3 memory (1066MHz), two FireWire 800 ports, Mini DisplayPort output, and a maximum internal storage of 3TB (using three 1TB drives, with the option to add a 128GB SSD boot drive that doesn't occupy a drive bay). It was also the first Xserve to use PVC-free internal cables and components and no brominated flame retardants.

Announced in January 2008, the Xserve (Early 2008) replaced the Xserve (Late 2006). It shipped as a single, highly customizable model with a base price of $2,999. BTO options included dual Quad-core 2.8GHz or 3.0 GHz processors, up to 3TB of storage via three hot-plug bays, 32 GB of RAM across eight slots, dual-channel Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express cards, dual- and quad-channel 4 Gb Fibre Channel PCI Express cards, dual-channel Ultra320 SCSI PCI-X cards, and the Xserve RAID Card.

Announced in August 2006 but shipping in November, the Xserve (Late 2006) was the first all-new Xserve in over two years and replaced the Xserve G5. The most significant change was that the Xserve (Late 2006) was built around two Dual-core Intel Xeon 5100 processors, completing Apple's transition to Intel. It shipped in a single, highly customizable model with a base price of $2,999. BTO options included 8x DL SuperDrive, up to 2.2 TB of storage via three hot-plug bays, 32 GB of RAM across eight slots, Fibre Channel PCI Express and dual-channel Ultra320 SCSI PCI-X cards, and the Xserve RAID Card.

On January 3, 2005, Apple updated the Xserve G5 with faster processors in dual-processor configurations. 400GB hard drives became available, bringing internal storage capacity up to 1.2TB. The slot-loading optical drive was upgraded to a standard combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW, with an optional DVD+/-RW. Shortly after, Apple updated both the Xserve and Xserve RAID to allow for 500GB hard drives. Xserve G5 models shipped before April 2005 included Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and thereafter included Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger".

On January 3, 2005, Apple updated the Xserve G5 with faster processors in dual-processor configurations. 400GB hard drives became available, bringing internal storage capacity up to 1.2TB. The slot-loading optical drive was upgraded to a standard combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW, with an optional DVD+/-RW. Shortly after, Apple updated both the Xserve and Xserve RAID to allow for 500GB hard drives. Xserve G5 models shipped before April 2005 included Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and thereafter included Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger".

The Xserve G5 brought the architectural improvements of the Power Mac G5 to the Xserve series. In addition to adding single or dual 2.0 GHz PowerPC 970FX processors, the Xserve G5 featured a significantly faster data and memory bus, more and faster RAM, FireWire 800 and USB 2.0, and support for Serial ATA and PCI-X. The Xserve G5 was available in two configurations: a single 2.0 GHz processor model with 512 MB RAM for $2,999, and a dual 2.0 GHz processor model with 1.0 GB RAM for $3,999. A Cluster Node configuration was also available.

The Xserve G5 brought the architectural improvements of the Power Mac G5 to the Xserve series. In addition to adding single or dual 2.0 GHz PowerPC 970FX processors, the Xserve G5 featured a significantly faster data and memory bus, more and faster RAM, FireWire 800 and USB 2.0, and support for Serial ATA and PCI-X. The Xserve G5 was available in two configurations: a single 2.0 GHz processor model with 512 MB RAM for $2,999, and a dual 2.0 GHz processor model with 1.0 GB RAM for $3,999. A Cluster Node configuration was also available.

Released in March 2003, the Xserve Cluster Node was designed to function as a node within an Xserve cluster. It lacked an optical drive or graphics card and supported only a single ATA hard drive. The Xserve Cluster Node featured dual 1.33GHz processors and was priced at $2,799, the same as the single-processor version of the full Xserve.

Released in February 2003, the Xserve (Slot Load) was a minor upgrade to the original Xserve. In addition to faster processors and memory bus, it added a slot-loading optical drive. The single-processor model was $2,799 and the dual-processor model was $3,799.

The Xserve marked Apple's first major entry into the server market since the discontinued Apple Network Servers. While Apple had sold server versions of various Power Macs, the Xserve was the first machine designed by Apple specifically for the server market. Its most notable feature was its rack-mount enclosure, only 1U (1.75 inches) thin. The Xserve enclosure was a masterpiece of engineering. Behind a single front panel was access to four drive bays, a FireWire port, and a CD-ROM drive. Multi-color indicator lights on the front panel displayed drive access, processor load, and Ethernet link status. Targeted at the corporate and education server markets, the Xserve came in two configurations. The low-end model featured a single 1.0GHz processor, a 60GB hard drive, and 256MB of RAM for $2,999. The high-end model featured dual 1.0GHz processors, 512MB of RAM, and a 60GB hard drive for $3,999.

Xserve RAID was Apple's dedicated RAID storage solution for the Xserve and Power Mac G5. It supported higher capacities later through larger drives (officially up to 7TB, unofficially up to 10.5TB). It supported up to 14 hot-swappable Ultra ATA drive modules, featured dual independent RAID controllers, supported hardware RAID levels, and connected to the host via 2Gb Fibre Channel. It was primarily used for storage expansion for Xserve or Power Mac G5 systems.