HP Adds Ultra High-End Workstations

Catering to multimedia professionals, HP updated its already high-end workstations, putting Quad-Core AMD Opteron and dual Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors within reach.

HP used a joint keynote address with DreamWorks at this year’s National Association of Broadcasters exhibition in Las Vegas to announce the availability of two new high-end workstations. The special edition xw8600 and xw9400 were developed especially for professionals in the broadcast, film/video post-production, animation and graphic arts industries.

Although both models already existed in HP’s line-up, the new versions are akin to supercharged editions customized for the most demanding work. The xw9400, which previously came with a choice of different Dual-Core AMD Opteron processors, now also boasts Quad-Core Opteron 2300 processors as choices. The xw8600, which already came with a broad array of different Intel processor options, now picks up the option for dual Quad-Core Intel Xeon X5482 processors, which boast a 1,600MHz front-side-bus and 800MHz memory.

Both systems will be available immediately, but HP has not yet updated its only ordering pages with the new processor options. Prices will depend on configuration, but current xw9400 systems start at $2,578, and xw8600 systems start at $1,699.