HP 6005 HP Enterprise/Mid-Market Desktop PC Power Supply Architecture - Page 11

Summary of HP Power Supply Standard Compatibility As shown in the discussion above, HP Enterprise/Mid-market business PC products have not supported a formal power supply design standard for many product cycles. The mechanical standards were abandoned long ago, and the few remaining products that followed the industry's electrical standard have now been replaced by a new HP power supply architecture beginning with the 2009 business PC platforms. This new architecture will continue forward for future products. Future Opportunities There is currently no effort by the industry to define a new power supply standard. It is common for the industry to go through technology cycles in which standards are created and then fade away when those standards no longer meet industry needs. The start of the ENERGY STAR and EuP regulatory efforts signals the beginning of the end for the current ATX power supply interface standard. Notebook products have never followed this standard, and server products require more power than the ATX standard can support. The desktop industry is the only product group that still leverages the ATX standard, but the ATX power supply standard has fallen behind. Eventually, a new generic industry standard will be developed to cover the new requirements that did not exist when the original ATX specification was created and to allow more flexibility and innovation to support new technologies that are sure to come. At the moment, the regulatory requirements are still evolving and are unstable, which means that a new industry standard cannot focus and consolidate around a specific target. In the meantime, the industry is left to its own resources to create solutions until the time is right for a new industry standard to emerge. The new HP power supply architecture is simply a first step in that direction, and it enables HP to provide new and innovative features and products to best serve the needs of our customers. © 2010 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Intel is a trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. 617685-001, March 2010 11