I agree with Jeff and would like to add several other points.
First the cost to own and operate.  The 980 box uses an increadable
amount of electricity for both operating and air conditioning.  Hardware
maintenance is very expensive.  The price for memory is still high and
the maximum memory allowed for the machine is low because
you can only use 64Mb and 16Mb memory boards.  The machine uses
three phase power, therefore, if you don't already have it you will need
to get it installed.  This could cost you a bundle. Moreover, third party
software costs could exceed the cost of the hardware if you
purchase a 980.

Does your friend need an unlimited user license?  What machine do they
have now?  Once a clear picture is drawn on the real user requirements
and the true upgrade costs, it just might be cheaper to get a 969/100!
[log in to unmask]
Charles Finley, Open-Ended Systems Corp
310-419-5903

----------
> From: Jeff Kell <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Desperately seeking Susan (980/400 or /300 needed)
> Date: Tuesday, January 21, 1997 6:59 PM
>
> James B. Byrne wrote:
> >
> > I have been asked to locate a HP3000/980, either 400 or 300
> > sub-series.  Memory requirements are said to be 512Mb.  This is for a
> > direct business to business purchase. The used equipment  brokers
> > have already sniffed this one out and are all over my colleague which
> > is why he has asked me to do this.
>
> If this is a "new" acquisition, you should really reconsider this.  Even
> if this is an upgrade, let's take a pause here.  Let me elaborate:
>
> We have a 950 and 960 (same box as 955 and 980) and I always considered
> an upgrade to the 980 as a worthwhile and trivial upgrade, especially in
> light of the fact the 960 is an upgraded 950 (3rd party, inexpensive).
> The 980 upgrades are inexpensive (relatively speaking) from the hardware
> perspective, but the 980 is in a different software support tier - the
> same one as the 99x Enterprise servers.  The software upgrade costs far
> exceeded the hardware cost.  The 980, given the costs to enter the tier,
> is no longer cost effective when the newer 9x9 servers give greater
> performance on a lower tier.  And unless things have changed, the 9x0
> machines preclude an unlimited MPE license (if I'm wrong, please tell me
> now to save on my own support costs!).  But then again, "trading down"
> in user licenses yields no credits.
>
> But the "killer" proposition here is that of the MPE license.  You
> cannot transfer MPE licenses across physical "boxes".  I now own two
> unlimited user licenses for MPE/iX for our machines (the only option at
> the time we acquired them).  It cost us a considerable chunk of change
> to acquire them (and the associated software licenses); but in the
> upgrade I suffer considerable losses (if I downgrade to a user-limit
> license) or considerable costs (if I perpetuate the unlimited license).
>
> This is a "big deal" when the MPE license fees exceed the hardware cost.
> Especially on an upgrade, when you pay the big bucks again; the
> trade-ins were based on hardware, not MPE license level (again, hope I'm
> wrong and this has changed).
>
> Unless you already have software licenses in place, the 980 is not a
> wise choice given you can get more bang for your buck at a lower tier
> with newer hardware (even 9x7 or 9x8; you probably don't have a 9x9
> within your budget).
>
> Food for thought, but it comes back to haunt me at times, and perhaps
> this may solicit some other opinions/options from others in similar
> situations.
>
> Jeff Kell <[log in to unmask]>