New Mac mini Runs OS X Server for $999
Calling it a “new, mightier mini,” Apple (s aapl0 updated its smallest desktop with special attention to the optical drive. No, Blu-ray wasn’t added, rather Apple now offers a model with no optical drive at all.
However, contrary to rumors and wish-fulfillment on my part, Apple did not lower the price of the entry-level mini to $499.
On the low end, the $599 Mac mini has a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, up from 2.0GHz, and 2GB of RAM, up from a measly 1GB, and a 160GB hard drive, up from 120GB. You still get five USB ports and one FireWire, as well as NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics and a SuperDrive. The $799 model now has a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB of RAM, and a 320GB hard drive. So, same price, a little faster, more memory, a bit more storage on the low-end. It’s not much of an update to talk about, if not for the Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server.
For $999, you lose the optical drive, but do get two 500GB hard drives (5400 RPM) on a Mac mini running OS X Server. The other specs match the $799 model. Essentially, for another $200 you are getting an additional 500GB of storage and OS X Server (upgrading the $799 model to one 500GB drive balances out against buying an external SuperDrive for the $999 model). But why?
Apple advertises this curious machine as a “simple” server “perfect for any small business or group,” but how many of those types of customers are going to drop a thousand dollars on a server? It seems like Apple missed an opportunity here, no doubt on purpose, to offer a media and backup server, an iServer for the rest of us. Of course, that would have been competing with the beleaguered “hobby” that is the Apple TV, so instead Apple has extended its overpricing of the Mac mini into the sever market.
Tweet This (23)
Raoul on October 20th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
LOL @ complete lack of business knowledge
How many small businesses are going to drop $1000 on a server? Uh lots? It happens every day. How much do you think servers cost?
Staff Comment Charles Jade, TheAppleBlog on October 20th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
A couple of hundred bucks from Dell? And aren’t most server drives 7200 RPM? RAID? Wouldn’t a Mac Pro mini be a better fit for Snow Leopard Server? Lots of questions about this thing. But if it helps keeps the Mac mini as part of the desktop lineup, I’m all for it. I just wish the Mac mini was $499 again.
MacRat on October 20th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
You fail to mention that Mac OS X Server alone costs $499 and is included with this Mac mini.
It’s a VERY good buy.
Terry on October 20th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Raoul is absolutely correct. For $1000 you get server hardware and server software with unlimited client licenses. Plus, while you may have a consultant help you set it up, one it is operating it is essentially free. No nickle and diming from MS for every little addition to the server and no consultant fees when you want to change something. This baby will be a huge hit with small businesses.
Raoul on October 20th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
The cheapest Dell server available is the PowerEdge T100, bundled with Windows Server and 5 user licenses, it is $1,498. (That is with a single 250GB Hard Drive, mind you…)
So, what website are you shopping where you find them for a couple hundred bucks?
#FAIL
Staff Comment Charles Jade, TheAppleBlog on October 20th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Who says you have to run Windows SBS?
jdq on October 20th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Raoul is absolutely right. $1000 for a server with unlimited clients is very reasonable especially for a small business.
$200 Dell server? Maybe every 4 years when there is a price mistake at Dell and it appears on FW, SD, etc. (like the 400sc).
The dual drives in the Mini server edition are perfect for running software RAID. It’s natively supported by OS X and works great.
Raoul on October 20th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Charles, ok fine, I’ll play your game. The absolute cheapest Dell server I could find is the PowerEdge T105, with 2.3 Ghz Dual Core AMD (instead of Intel) and two 500 GB drives, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux instead of Windows…. still comes up to $1,140.
But hey, don’t let the facts get in the way of a story.
;-)
Darren on October 20th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Whaaa? $1k for what is essentially an unlimited user server on a super low power and compact platform? This will sell VERY well.
Among the many uses as an actual business server, it will make a great dev platform for web apps, iPhone push notifications, etc.
And as for ‘overpriced’ – have you priced out a server lately? $1k would be a bare minimum for one without an OS on it. Plus for one of those you need a closet or server room to stick it in because they are hot and noisy.
Frankly, this is a great deal, and a great base for apple to build a home server off of.
Kurtis on October 20th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Even more so than a home server, I think Apple may use this as an entryway into OSX Server. When it comes to IT, many professionals will simply choose the tool they know best. By creating an easy gateway, Apple gives the opportunity for more people to check out their server offerings and presumably choose it when they upgrade to full servers.
quandmeme on October 20th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I want to duck the rage but ask a dumb question. I can understand an MacBook air sideloading software from a DVD, but this requires an external drive right?
MacRat on October 20th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
These days, software installs require a network connection.
matwyn on October 20th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Charles, you obviously don’t get out much. In the past 6 months I have installed over 40 Mac Minis with varying collections of external HDD’s hanging off the back of them, all running OS X Server. Who’s been buying them? SME’s and SoHo workers, who require more than just file storage (a la Time Capsule etc). Companies looking for a cost effective, reliable and feature rich server have been embracing the Mac Mini as a server idea for years. Hell, we’ve even been taking the DVD’s out and replacing them with hard drives ourselves. This is Apple’s validation of what’s been happening for years – ask Mac Mini Colo! We will sell loads of these babies – at £697 ex VAT, there isn’t a thing to match it in the UK for SME’s looking for a server.
Saber on October 31st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Really (matwyn)??? You must be a robot that never sleeps. Since you would have to install one of these every 3 business days, to install over 40 in just 6 months (stretching the truth a bit, hey?). Do you just install and run? Leave the configuration and support for someone else to clean-up. No wonder you think this is great.
I haven’t seen a post about backing this thing up. Can anyone say RAID or at least mirrored drives? How about the cost of the external drive for Time machine?
This is a CHEAP solution. I’m not so sure how great it is. I guess if you don’t mind the downtime when a drive fails or you’re just going to drop $599 to replace the system at the first hardware failure. Maybe it’s great if your reselling Mac minis. As a long term solution for a small business that might decide to put all of their business data in one basket, I don’t think it a good idea.
Spend another $800 – $1000 for external storage or maybe a fail-over Mac mini and then you might have a solution a business can rely on.
Shaun C on October 20th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
There seems to be a lot of experts commenting, so I figured this would be a good time to ask.
Setting a computer up as a server is always something I’ve heard about, but I’ve never had a reason to look into it. Seeing the new Mac Mini Server perked my interest, but I’m not sure how I (or my small business) could benefit from it.
Could someone please explain to me, or give me a few links, pointing out some amazing uses of something like this? Or why Mac OS X Server and not just normal Mac OS X?
Is it strictly for running a web server (say, like Apache or something?) Or, would this benefit our workplace (network of about 5-6 apple computers, apple tv, etc).
Oli on October 20th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Shaun,
Mac OS X Server comes with a collaboration “site” (a Wiki), mail server, iCal server, Address Book server, etc. This means you can have shared calendars and central contact lists just like big companies have with Exchange.
Zoran on October 21st, 2009 at 12:13 am
Here’s a good video explaining what a server is useful for: http://movies.apple.com/movies/us/podcast/leopardserverquicktours/quicktours-01_intro.m4v
There are many short videos in that podcast, all about OS X Server (http://www.apple.com/podcasts/leopardserverquicktours/leopard_quick_tour.xml)
Vanni on October 21st, 2009 at 10:10 am
I think that this Article by Charles, with all due respect, should have a follow up article by Raoul. He has come across as much more knowledgeable and informed. I for one would love to learn more about the use, setting up and deployment of a Mac Mini Server, and the benefits to be had. Please consider doing a follow up article Raoul!
chano on October 21st, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Looking at this article and looking back over your published work so far it seems clear that you are trying to oust Meister Shill Enderle and earn your 30 pieces of silver from Ballmer, Gates and Co.
Dishonest moron would be a gentle understatement, in describing you.
Higgsy on October 21st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I agree with Raoul, I manage 12 servers, 3 states, and about 300 clients. We do have Servers running windows, recently I compared 3 new Dell servers with appropriate MS licensing, and 3 Xserve’s and after all was said and done the Xserve’s were over $10,000.00 cheaper, had better hardware spec’s and more functionality. I will be deploying these new mac mini servers in large functional/departmental groups for some of the collaboration services they offer. As for the SME and SMB these will be a hit, hide and watch!
Vanni on October 21st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Well here is someone with some very usefull information o nteh new mini servers:
http://www.macminicolo.net/state2009.html
DBX on October 23rd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I’ll join in the praises of the new server. It’s the first time in five or six years that Apple has put out a headless Mac that meets my needs. It’s good value for money, it has a low enough power draw to leave switched on which I’d think is a rather important spec for a server, and having a server OS that doesn’t require an IT guy is kind of nice too.
The only thing overpriced here is the standard Mac Mini. $599 was steep before — given the new server and iMac choices, it’s inexplicable now.
Kendall Tawes on October 26th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Unlimited License Mac OS X Sever used to cost $1000 by itself. For that price I now get a Mac Mini with two 500GB drives too. I would say that’s a great deal indeed.
And yes the base Mac Mini should be $499. There is no reason for it to be $599 anymore.
BitGolum on November 1st, 2009 at 1:33 am
The precious will be mine. Oh yes!
Conrad on November 9th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
The new Mac Mini server is a great idea.
I would immediately pull the two 500GB drives, sell them on eBay, and install whatever size SSD drives I felt I needed, either in RAID 0, with an external back up like a 2TB drive via Firewire, or back up over ethernet. Another option, that would keep the whole package tiny, is to use RAID 1.
SSD’s make a Mac Mini blazing fast, and they are reliable.
RAID 0 would nearly double your access speed.
I’m not sure RAID 1 would be needed with reliable SSD drives, but on a server you need some redundancy don’t you? I’d lean towards RAID 0 and remote storage over ethernet–which puts your “back-up” at a different location for true redundancy.
The big advantage of the SSD drives is they run much cooler than hot running spinning disks in the poor thermal environment of the Mini.
I don’t enjoy checking temperatures constantly. I use software to spin up the fans to manage heat with the hotter conventional disk drives. I’d rather rely on cooler, more reliable Solid State Drives, and save energy too.
So the last issue is cost. It is still cheaper to use a Mac Mini server with SSD’s than any other brand server with SSD’s. For many applications a large SSD is not necessary–so size it appropriately.
The real question is this:
Do you need to run “Snow Leopard Server”, or can you run “Snow Leopard” {the non-server version} as your server?
That would keep costs down and still provide great performance.
Older, slower Mac Mini’s can do the job as well as the new Server Version.
The newest, fastest processor has one advantage:
—-with Solid State Drives, a faster processor does make a significant difference keeping the data moving.
Frustrated OSX Server Admin on November 11th, 2009 at 10:24 am
REALLY? Just “set it” and “forget it.” Hmm. You are dreaming.
Good Luck!
Regi on November 13th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Conrad says: “Do you need to run “Snow Leopard Server”, or can you run “Snow Leopard” {the non-server version} as your server?”
So, this is exactly the doubt I have now, I mean for a home or small business use. Any one could help with this doubt, please?