That developer’s 3000 got a steeper cost for entry-level financing Some fine print emerged on HP’s Series 918DX developer’s system that might make deliveries a more expensive first bite. The system can only be leased if you spend a total of $20,000, which can include software and support. As it turns out, HP support will also add to the cost of the system if you want anything other than Web-only support. Telephone support adds $1,000 a year to the purchase price of the $7,077 unit, according to Cortlandt Wilson, a member of the SIGCONSULT group who helped HP craft the bundle. The $20K minimum lease value drives up the payments to about $630/month for a three year lease; a two year lease with higher payments is also available. Developers who spend less than $20,000 must either purchase the system outright or rent the 918DX at anywhere from $375 to $450 a month. What it amounts to is a somewhat less attractive financing deal from HP’s finance division, which has apparently has minimums for the leases it can write. You can call them for more info at 888.999.HPTF. To be sure, $7,077 is a marvelous price for a purchase of an HP 3000, but the financing needs some work. We’ve heard from IBM’s Finance Division that it’s not a problem to get an AS/400 leased at under $300 a month. One solution may lie in outside financing for developers who can’t work with the HP Finance numbers, like the American Express business equipment financing that comes with a Corporate Gold Card. Copyright 1998 The 3000 NewsWire. All rights reserved