Xserve Discontinued By Apple

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Apple’s rackmount server, the Xserve, has quietly been sitting in its corner of Apple’s webstore since 2002, when it was introduced. I remember a rather impressive unveiling of the product at the 2002 MacWorld keynote, but since then, Apple hasn’t given the rackmount servers much love. Now, they’re discontinuing the servers and suggesting you get a… Mac Mini?

News broke this morning when a note appeared on Apple’s webstore. Apple explains that they will not be developing future iterations of Xserve:

Apple will not be developing a future version of Xserve. Xserve will be available for order through January 31, 2011. Apple will honor and support all Xserve system warranties and extended support programs. Apple intends to offer the current shipping 160GB, 1TB, and 2TB Apple Drive Modules for Xserve through the end of 2011 or while supplies last. Apple will continue to support Xserve customers with service parts for warranty and out-of-warranty service.

As mentioned, Apple and Steve Jobs gave a fairly impressive introduction to the Xserve in 2002 and I think a lot of Mac-friendly IT people started imagining an all-Mac workplace. They’ve given the Xserves a quiet upgrade every year (the last one being in 2009), but like with all Mac products, the hardware was a bit pricey for what you got.

What are you to do if you want new Mac servers? In a PDF (oh the irony) posted on Apple.com, Apple suggests that customers either order a Mac Mini or Mac Pro with Snow Leopard Server installed. Yep – exchange that $3,000 rackmount server for a $600 micro-computer. Thanks, Apple! We joke, of course.

Are you sad to see the Xserve go? Or who cares? I think this perfectly underscores Apple’s transition from a computer company to a consumer electronics company. Tell us your take in the comments section.