Four CPUs aren't always greater than two - Appro's speedy, quad-Opteron 1U server has limited uses.(Product/Service Evaluation)

Yeah, it's got a Hemi. Four of them, in fact.

Appro recently unveiled its 1U, quad-Opteron, 848-based 1142H server and I put it through its paces. The short story is this server moves like a much larger system. Although the server is packed with performance power, its limitations will likely relegate it to a fairly narrow audience.

In theory, 1U servers are destined for medium-duty tasks. They make good directory servers, DNS/DHCP servers, application and Web servers, but rarely do they move beyond those tasks. Internal expansion, or lack thereof, is usually the primary reason.

Add a few SAN HBAs into the mix, however, and a standard 1U, dual-CPU server can really stretch its legs. Even with two additional processors in the chassis, the Appro 1142H lacks relevance for many organizations, due to the server's limited expansion possibilities.

Appro doesn't target standard enterprise tasks with the 1142H; it looks straight at …