Microsoft has entered the supercomputer market with Cray CX1, the first high performance computing machine to run a version of Windows designed especially for that. Windows HPC (High Performance Computing) Server 2008 is the name of the new operating system, and it competes against Linux and Unix operating systems.

Cray CX1 is powered by Intel processors, and it's the smallest supercomputer ever designed by Cray. It is expected to appeal to the smaller companies, such as the designers of auto parts. Instead of having to share time on a supercomputer with other companies, they could plug the Cray CX1 in a typical wall socket and use it inside the office.

The supercomputer is already available for purchase with a delivery date scheduled in October. The most affordable configuration comes at about $25,000, and the high-end configuration costs up to $80,000. More supercomputers powerred by Windows HPC Server 2008 are expected to hit the market soon, but not necessarily from Cray, since Microsoft has been partnering with other manufacturers as well.