How much does a server cost?

For a half decent enough machine, probably about $500-$700, then for the OS your looking at $999.00 for server 2008 standard edition (any other MS OS after this just goes up in price)

Then what do you want on this server - do you want it to do emails. You need exchange. Just for the standard exchange 2003 (not the latest edition) your looking at $499.00 (used from Amazon).

Do you want sharepoint (this is pretty popular), your looking at $348.95 (used on Amazon).

You want citrix... actually you get the idea. Your probably looking at about $1,500.00 just to get the server up and running. If your not technically minded enough to install the OS, your probably looking at about another $60 -100 to get somebody to do that for you, depending on where you live.

Servers are expensive. No matter what route you go with it, its going to be expensive.