[Super Mario]

SGI used to make the best workstations for graphics. Now Macs and PCs are good solutions too. SGI is better for propriety solutions because Hollywood has programmers that code apps for their SGI machines. I want to buy a cheap O2 or other SGI workstation. I saw on eBay they are selling for very little compared to how much they cost when new. Which is the best machine to choose?

What does the future of SGI look like? Do you think they will keep being strong in scientific and media circles? I read a rumor that the company is on a threshold securities list that will force shorts to cover on unsettled positions. What does this mean in normal speak?

[roam]

Hollywood was always only a small part of SGI's customer portfolio, albeit a very prominent one. Once that section of the market fell away to Linux/Windows machines, SGI pretty much focused on the high-end super computer market, and visualization systems for film and tv. Problem being, that market couldn't sustain enough money to generate the type of research SGI once had for the vast range of machines they had going.

I guess they are consolidating their resources, and focusing on Governmental, scientific and defence contracts; while keeping a low profile for those who need very powerful media workstations (where they still have some of the fastest machines out there), all the while transition from the MIPS/IRIX era to whatever they are planning to do.

If you're going for a used SGI, I'd probably say an Octane.

[ajprice]

ajprice notes Super Mario's momentary lapse in 'The Rock says...' speak.

Anyway, one reason is probably that their market has been taken by high end workstation PC's and Macs, which are capable now of doing the stuff that SGI's were made for, and if SGI are still charging mucho moolah for their machines, then people will go elsewhere for a PC or Mac that does the same job.