A good set of questions which a lot of companies should start thinking
about...

Assuming HP doesn't up and decide to listen to me and keep support for the
9x7 series... my general comments on the options...

Option 1: 3rd party support is easy and cheap if you are in CA... I've got
names of companies that do HP-3000 HW support but only HP is nationwide as
far as I know.  I'd say some third party guys are BETTER at servicing a lot
of HP hardware than the average HP service person.    Especially when it
comes to older peripheral devices.

Option 2: Switch to a 9x8 which is what many many companies will be doing...
Just a matter of $$$$ and work effort.

Option 3: Switch to a new HP-3000 - more $$$$$ and similar work effort
compared to option #2.

Option 4: Get a 2nd backup system (9x7s will be getting much cheaper soon -
I'll be buying some then.) If 957s go to $1000 or less each, why not have a
few???

General comments:  HP's HW support is done on a product # basis - some
equipment on a 9x7 will continue to be supported after the CPU isn't and some
items  are already being dropped from HW support.  DTC-48s for example but I
wouldn't pay support for those even if HP would do it.

The value of any 9x7 system is already down and will continue to go lower as
companies phase them out.  If you intend to replace a 9x7 system soon, do it
now if you want to get much of anything for the 9x7 as a used unit.

And then there is Option 5... complain LOUDLY to HP about this policy
decision...or is that an "opinion" not an "option"?

Wayne