Filed under: Xserve, Apple, Mac mini, Mac OS X Server
Mini gets a server-style upgrade
Apple has given the mini a bit of a bump this morning, including a mini without an optical drive, twice the storage and of course a copy of OS X Server. It is meant to be a solution for those small businesses out there that are too small to need an Xserve, as well as media enthusiasts who are looking for a quick and easy way to share their stuff. Since it lacks an onboard optical drive, it works with the USB Super Drive, originally meant only for the MacBook Air, for disc-required functions. The Mac mini server sells for $999US.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Michael said 12:41PM on 10-20-2009
I love my mini server. This is awesome news!
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beto said 12:47PM on 10-20-2009
Wow! Now Apple finally delivered
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Stephen0493 said 12:49PM on 10-20-2009
New Remote!!
Silent.. but true. UK Store is up now btw.
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MC377?mco=MTMzNzQ4ODg
^^ Link to the new remote
please add a new post ;) Be sure to mention your truly haha :P
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Stephen0493 said 12:49PM on 10-20-2009
Apple Remote with iPod and iPhone
If you connect your iPod to a home stereo, powered speakers, or TV set, the Apple Remote lets you experience your songs, slideshows, and more from across the room. Plug your iPod into the Universal Dock and choose a playlist, slideshow, or video. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy. Ready to move on to the next song? No need to get up. Just press the Next button on the Apple Remote. Getting a call on your iPhone? Press Pause, then pick up where you left off.
The Apple Remote requires the iPod Universal Dock and any iPod with a dock connector or any iPhone.
Apple Remote with Mac
The Apple Remote gives you total command of your music, photos, videos, and DVDs from anywhere in the room. It works with Front Row — a menu-based, full-screen interface — to make accessing the digital content on your Mac as simple as navigating your iPod. When you press the Menu button, your desktop fades and the sleek Front Row interface takes its place to give you control over your music in iTunes, your photos in iPhoto, the videos in your Movies folder, and your DVDs. Turn up the volume. Shuffle. Skip to the next chapter on your DVD. Play a slideshow, a home movie you made in iMovie, even a movie trailer.
Compatible with Apple products introduced in 2005 or later that have a built-in infrared (IR) receiver.
More info for it!
macserv said 12:52PM on 10-20-2009
This is just spooky... I was totally going to buy a Mini to replace my old G4 tower server that handles DNS and other networky stuff on my LAN... and now here's a Mini specifically designed for that purpose. I wonder what I should wish for now.
This'll be a big boon for the plethora of Mac Mini co-locators out there.
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Michael said 12:55PM on 10-20-2009
macminicolo.net is the best :D IMHO of course!
Jerry said 2:12PM on 10-20-2009
Can you do an article of how to best use a MacMini Server?
Blue skies!!
Jerry
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mixotic1 said 1:52PM on 10-20-2009
Hmmm....for some reason I keep thinking "Apple TV Pro" when I see this optical driveless wonder. Although personally, I prefer my mini with a DVD drive (they can keep the Blu Ray for all I care).
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macxprt said 2:11PM on 10-20-2009
What people are failing to mention is that this comes with an unlimited user license of Snow Leopard Server. The unlimited user license use to cost $999 by itself about a year ago, before Apple started cutting the price of the server software.
So in effect, you are getting the hardware for free with an unlimited user license on the server software. Good way to justify to the higher ups for a new purchase.
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Le Big Mac said 2:39PM on 10-20-2009
Not really, since you could buy the included software for $499. So you're getting the Mini for $499. Or you're getting the Mini for $599, with Server discounted $100, which reflects roughly the price/value of OS X, which doesn't come with it.
MannyV said 2:34PM on 10-20-2009
Well, all those copies of SL server will be hitting ebay soon. Wish they had the 10-client version as an option - I don't need the file sharing so much (the client limit only applies to the file sharing part).
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XedMada said 2:50PM on 10-20-2009
Anyone else notice the irony of the Mini server with no optical drive and a DVD propped up behind it?
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MikeWard1701 said 3:17PM on 10-20-2009
Yes, I was wondering about that.
How do you go about restoring/reinstalling OS X?
Buy a superdrive? Make a USB edition on another computer?
Toren said 4:28PM on 10-20-2009
It looks like the Mini Server can only be ordered with the dual 500 drives. Wouldn't it make sense to have configurations with larger/smaller drives? (If you're going to keep everything on the mini or everything on a drobo)
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L Smith said 8:59PM on 10-20-2009
Wonder how well it would work with an EyeTV plugged into it? ;)
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x23 said 4:45AM on 10-21-2009
"as well as media enthusiasts who are looking for a quick and easy way to share their stuff."
what features does OSX Server have that are lacking in regular OSX that would make it worth $500 to the "media enthusiast".
i've been using OSX Server since it was released and on multiple servers and multiple iterations of both hardware and software... and i have NEVER once thought 'oh! this would be *great* for serving media at home! definitely worth $500-$1000!'... and believe me... i definitely am a 'media enthusiast' who stores and serves up media to multiple devices.
so i have both the familiarity with the software and the proposed hobby of 'media enthusiast'... and i can't think of a single reason it would be applicable.
so what *exact* features make the $500 premium of OSX Server a better choice than regular OSX (and *maybe* $25 worth of shareware) for that particular purpose?
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Toby said 1:22PM on 10-21-2009
I'm not so sure about the longevity of two 2.5in. laptop drives in a server that's running 24/7... I specifically built a somewhat larger server (in a lunchbox) which lives in my closet, just so I could use 3.5in drives.
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S.Bennett said 3:10PM on 10-21-2009
Why do you think they're "laptop drives" just because they're 2.5" form factor?
You've been able to get servers with 2.5" drives for years now.
Tony W. said 5:17PM on 10-22-2009
Does anyone know if the Air Superdrive support is carried over to the new Mac Mini's, or is this a feature that's only available to the Mini Server?
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