An empty 4U server with 96+ bays looks like it will set you back ~$7k minimum. At $500 per drive (I have no idea what volume discounts are like) filling it with drives would be in the range of ~$50k. You'd still need RAM. And (as you noted) space and power.
I have no idea how the math ends up working out, but a 1PB appliance in working order is nowhere near as cheap as $11k.
An empty 4U server with 96+ bays looks like it will set you back ~$7k minimum. At $500 per drive (I have no idea what volume discounts are like) filling it with drives would be in the range of ~$50k. You'd still need RAM. And (as you noted) space and power.
I have no idea how the math ends up working out, but a 1PB appliance in working order is nowhere near as cheap as $11k.