The cost to deploy Panther Server will be much less than Win 2003 Server at the same client license points. In fact, it could (or almost) pay for the new Xserves to run it on!
Windows Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/pricing.mspx
$999 for 5 CALs (user or device) [Standard Edition]
$1,199 for 10 CALs (user or device) [Standard Edition]
$3,999 for 25 CALs (user or device) [Enterprise Edition]
Additional CALs are $199 (5) or $799 (20).
External Connector License (...for those who would like to allow external users, such as business partners and customers, to access their network...) is $1,999.
Mac OS X 10.3 Server
http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/
$499 for 10 Client license
$999 for
unlimited Client license
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In order to have 10 clients and to allow external connections to the network, it would cost the following total:
Win: $1199 + $1999 = $3198
Mac: $499 + 0 = $499
(($2699 more for Win, or almost buy a singe G5 Xserve in std. config with the savings))
If you had 25 clients and wanted to allow external connections to the network, it would cost:
Win: $3999 + $1999 = $5998
Mac: $999 + 0 = $999
(($4999 more for Win, or buy a dual G5 Xserve with 2gb ram and 3x80gb drives with the savings ))
If you had 50 clients and wanted to allow external connections to the network, it would cost:
Win: $(3999+799+199) + $1999 = $6996
Mac: $999 + 0 = $999
(($5997 more for Win, or buy a dual G5 Xserve with 4gb ram and 3x80gb drives with the savings or two std config single g5 Xserves! ))