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eServer i5 systems provide small and medium sized businesses with unprecedented power, 

flexibility and cost benefits. The eServer i5 Model 520 (one to two way POWER5 processors) 

and eServer i5 Model 570 (one to four way POWER5 processors featuring Capacity on Demand) 

offer up to 40 percent in system price/performance improvements over previous iSeries models.  

In January, IBM introduces the eServer BladeCenter HS40, an ultra slim, 4 way Intel Xeon MP 

processor based blade server that offers unprecedented, on demand processing power for 

consolidation minded businesses. Blades are ultra slim servers that are stacked in a chassis side 

by side, much like books on a shelf. Because they take up significantly less space than traditional 

rack servers, Blade servers enable customers to reduce  sever sprawl  and better manage their 

computing infrastructures. That announcement is followed two months later by the debut of the 

IBM eServer BladeCenter T, a powerful extension of IBM's industry leading BladeCenter 

family of products that is designed to address the unique needs and requirements of the telecom 

industry.  

IBM announces in March the eServer xSeries 206 and xSeries 306 with innovative features that 

help lower the ownership cost of entry level servers. The new systems include revolutionary new 

simple swap Serial ATA drives and integrated management and data protection features never 

before available in entry level systems. In August, the company introduces new  scale out  IBM 

eServer xSeries servers that include high performance features inspired by IBM mainframes and 

supercomputers. The new eServers include the x206, x226, x236, x306, x336 and x346. 

IBM rolls out in September the eServer 326, the only second generation server based on the 

AMD Opteron processor from a major vendor. The e326 incorporates sophisticated mainframe 

inspired features to provide reliable performance for compute intensive applications such as 

financial modeling, digital rendering, life sciences analysis, design automation, database 

management and other high performance business and research tasks. That same month, the 

company introduces the IBM eServer OpenPower 720, a POWER5 microprocessor based server 

tuned for Linux. It brings a decade of 64 bit architecture experience and mainframe inspired 

reliability features to an entry level server.  

In March, IBM announces the IntelliStation A Pro workstation    the first workstation from a 

major, worldwide vendor to be powered by AMD Opteron processor technology. The A Pro is 

designed to meet the increased memory and graphics requirements of next generation 

applications and offers customers a seamless transition from 32 bit to 64 bit computing.  

IBM unveils in February its completely redesigned ultraportable notebook computer, the IBM 

ThinkPad X40, setting new standards for portability, battery life and wireless connectivity in 

ultraportable systems. Starting at only 2.7 pounds, the new X40 is the lightest and thinnest 

ThinkPad ever and boasts the smallest footprint in its class with a full size keyboard. Two 

months later, the IBM ThinkPad R50e, R51 and G40, all equipped with cost saving IBM 

ThinkVantage Technologies, are debuted. In May, the company rolls out the IBM ThinkPad T42 

and T42p, new 15 inch models providing increased flexibility and comfort with larger, brighter 

and higher resolution screens. Select models come with  Flexview  technology, offering 170  

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