Could you help me find information on total cost of ownership (TCO)
comparisons between Windows and Unix (not Linux)?  I've found a lot of
info on linux vs Windows, but not a lot focusing on Unix.  Also, any
info you can find on market share comparisons would be a bonus.
Thanks!

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Clarification of Question by atlguy1975-ga on 23 Apr 2005 06:16 PDT

This doesn't have to be unbiased. Simple case studies would be fine. 
I just need some examples.  The problem is that they MUST be Unix and
demonstrate the cost comparison.  I'm doing research for a project and
just don't have enough to work with.  I need some further examples to
include to show different scenarios.

TCO for Unix will be similar to Linux (except that licensing costs and
costs of different hardware may appear).

Finding articles on this is easy - but are there any unbiased articles ?
Maybe a large organisation has calculated on a comparable basis what
these things cost _to them_.  Short of that I suspect it's nearly all
hot air.

TCO for UNIX will NOT be very comparable to Linux.

Many unices require their own hardware.
Many unices require more expensive administrators.

On the flip side, many unices have much better service agreements.
Many unices have better documentation and offer a good trusted
facilities manual making security cheaper and easier to establish.

Now comparing to Windows is a different animal altogether.

In pretty much every study I've seen (mostly at places like ANZ and
such) on TCO of Windows vs a major UNIX. Windows has been cheaper, for
a number of reasons:

Most organizations already use Windows on the desktop and a homogenous
systems is always cheaper to support.
Typically cheaper hardware.
Cheaper administrators.
Comparable licensing...

Have a gander at this:
http://www.cioview.com/index.aspx?id=QuickLinkCalculators

For some ideas on TCO comparisons... they are not the best, but will
give you a better idea. Lastly keep in mind, part of the TCO is
considering what you currently have.

cheers,

catch