Multiple choice technology mainframe

Mainframes have a historical reputation for being "expensive," but the modern reality is much different. As of late 2006, it is possible to buy and configure a complete IBM mainframe system (with software, storage, and support), under standard commercial use terms, for about how many US dollars? (approx)

  1. $1,500
  2. $50,000
  3. $35,000
  4. $75,000
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

By late 2006, IBM's entry-level mainframe systems (like z890 or z9 BC) could be purchased for around $50,000 including software and basic configuration. This was significantly lower than historical mainframe prices.

AI explanation

This is a source-dependent trivia figure drawn from an introductory mainframe tutorial arguing that mainframes are no longer prohibitively expensive. That source cites roughly \$50,000 (late 2006) to buy and configure a complete entry-level IBM mainframe with software, storage and support under standard commercial terms. Of the offered options (\$1,500 / $50,000 / $35,000 / $75,000), $50,000 matches the intended source answer; \$1,500 is far too low for any complete system, and the others are near-distractors. The exact number cannot be independently verified against IBM price lists (entry z9 BC list configurations were often quoted near six figures), so this rests on the specific courseware the question was authored from, where \$50,000 is the stated figure.

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