I think we could get a linux box &/or mac that is as good as some of the suns, for 1k (or so).

-----I also have sun.txt and macsys.txt:
Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon [8core option] 
8GB (4 x 2GB) [can double it later] 
four: 750GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s = 3Tb
AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro; total $6,643
	& this is before an edu discount is applied
(That is overkill really, you can get one for 1/2 that
	or to test the waters a mini for 1/10th that) ??

or go w/Linux; 
you can even get2micro clusters for this price, http://littlefe.net/
but w/o the support http://www.calvin.edu/~adams/research/microwulf/

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2007/11/30/ubuntu_dell_sales/