Are IBM Workstations any good?

[simplysteve]

Hi all, first timer here. I realize that most of you build your own systems but I am far from a techie and would probably get lost trying to build a system from scratch. So anyway, I'm looking to buy a workstation to use for 2D grpahics. There are some offerings from IBM (Intellistation) that seem pretty good but I would like to know what you all think of them or perhaps you may be able to recommend something else? Is the extra price for a Xeon processor worth it or will a regular 800Mhz PIII EB do?

I have a $3800 USD budget just for the computer(no monitor)

Thanks

 

[simplysteve]

Oh, I'd also like to run a dual monitor setup. Any recommendations for a good card?

 

[Windogg]

Get a Dell. Better customer service and better customization.

Windogg

 

[Ulysses]

Maybe check out this PC Magazine 2-D Workstation comparative review from August, 2000.

Edit:

PC Mag preferred the Dell too.

You definitely want dual monitors. See this.

I think I'd use dual P3 Coppermines and Windows 2000 rather than a Xeon, but it might depend on just what apps you run and what you do with them. The Xeons with the large caches are quite expensive though.