The InfoWorld Westmere blade server shoot-out

As is often the case with first-generation machines that use a new chip, the performance deltas among the Dell PowerEdge M1000e, HP BladeSystem c7000, and IBM BladeCenter H blade systems were slight. Differences in cost and manageability led the InfoWorld Test Center to pick a winning blade system nonetheless, but in the real world, businesses in the market for this class of system will probably make their selection based on the vendor with which they already have the best relationship.

Small and midsize businesses have always been the target market for blade servers. With the Dell PowerEdge M1000e, HP BladeSystem c7000, and IBM BladeCenter H, that's still true, although the high performance of these systems combined with low power consumption and extreme space efficiency could also appeal to some larger enterprises, particualrly for branch offices.

At the very least, these Westmere blades are yet another indication of the narrowing gap between the technology available to large and small businesses. Invest in one of these babies, and you're dangerous.

This story, "The InfoWorld Westmere blade server shoot-out," was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Follow the latest developments in servers, processors, and other hardware at InfoWorld.com.

Read more about hardware in InfoWorld's Hardware Channel.