It looks like they have added a new edition to make sure that you smart guys have something new to learn for your MCP tests and now you the prices are about the same, anywhere from FREE-over $25,000. Here is the link to read more about it.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/feb05/02-24ExpandedProductSuitePR.asp
The SQL Server 2005 product line will consist of the following:
- SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition , a complete data and analysis platform for large mission-critical business applications
- SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition , a complete data and analysis platform designed for medium-sized businesses
- SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition , an affordable, easy-to-use and simple-to-manage database solution for small to medium-sized organizations
- SQL Server 2005 Express Edition , a no-cost, easy-to-use version of SQL Server 2005 designed for building simple data-driven applications
Along with the SQL Server 2005 product line, Microsoft announced it would immediately make available SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition. This version will have the same focus as SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition, but will be based on SQL Server 2000 functionality.
Recognizing the advantages of delivering Workgroup and Standard Editions for small to medium-sized companies, Dell Inc. today announced it will be the first vendor to agree to offer Workgroup Edition and Standard Edition for both SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 prepackaged with Dell PowerEdge servers. Delivering a proof point of the enhanced value of SQL Server on Dell servers, Dell today made available results of a new record-breaking price/performance benchmark for TPC-C* using SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition on Dell PowerEdge servers at $1.40/tpmC.
-- Brendon Schwartz