Sun statement sends Compaq sparks flying

A war of words broke out last week between Compaq and Sun Microsystems over which manufacturer offered the best server at the cheapest price.

In a statement issued on 9 September, Sun stated that Compaq ?has been stung with the unexpected news? that the vendor?s Ultra Enterprise 450 workgroup server will cost #1,000 less than the Compaq Proliant 6000.

But a Compaq representative launched a counter-attack, claiming Sun had not taken into account price cuts made by Compaq on 18 August and adding that it was ?pretty amazed at the statement?.

?These prices come from Compaq?s current price list, it is like telling the company that it has got its prices wrong,? he said.

Under the headline ?Sun shocks Compaq with server pricing?, Sun?s statement also claimed that the Ultra Enterprise 450 workgroup server has ?significantly more power and performance than a Compaq Proliant 6000?.

The Compaq representative said: ?We are amazed that Sun doesn?t check its figures if it makes claims like this.?

The battle originally commenced on the back of a claim made by Hugh Jenkins, systems group product manager at Compaq, who said: ?I can guarantee [Sun] will not beat the price of the Proliant 6000.?

However, in reply to Sun?s claims, Compaq stated that the Proliant 6000 server with the same specification as the rival vendor?s Ultra Enterprise 450 would cost #2,000 less.