Executive Summary:
Small businesses and hobbyists will want to take a look at Windows Server 2008 Foundation (aka Foundation Server) for its low price and simplicity; Amazon Kindle 2 is almost perfect--except for the price.
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Windows Server 2008 Foundation
Pros: Lowest-cost version of Windows Server yet.
Cons: Lacks virtualization, works only with single-socket servers, sold only with new hardware.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: What I call “Foundation Server” is Microsoft’s low-capacity, low-cost server OS, ranging from $150 to $200. It’s similar to Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition but supports only single-socket servers, no more than 15 users, and doesn’t offer Hyper-V or support for third-party virtualization solutions. It can be a new Active Directory domain but can’t be added to existing domains. Still, if you want to avoid the overhead or complexity of Small Business Server, Foundation Server’s price is right.
Contact: Microsoft• 800-426-9400
Discussion: Full review of Windows Server 2008 Foundation
Amazon Kindle 2
Pros: Most full-featured eBook reader on the market, free access to wireless store.
Cons: Egregious upfront cost outweighs any benefits.
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: I wanted to love Amazon's second-generation Kindle, as I've been using the device every day since late 2007. But Kindle 2 is just as expensive as its predecessor and too expensive to justify the benefits. That's a shame, because the hardware and software are nearly perfect. Dedicated book lovers might overlook its $360 price, but others should wait until Amazon prices it like the mass-market consumer product it truly is.
Contact:
Amazon
Discussion: More about Amazon Kindle 2