2012 mac mini server question

[raniel]

This weekend Im going to buy the server version of the mac mini (the 1TBx2)
Got few questions:

1. what is the default drive configuration of the two drives? RAID 1, RAID 0?
2. if I upgrade one harddisk to an SSD, can i fuse the two drives???
3. Im thinking of buying the non-server version (i7) and upgrade it myself. I will buy data doubler kit, 128gb ssd anf ML Server OS. Lets say the mini suddenly died, can I send it to apple for repair without removing my upgrades? Will it void the warranty if they saw I added some parts?

Thanks

 

[FreakinEurekan]

1. Pretty sure it's mirrored (RAID 1) but easy to change.

2. That would be a DIY upgrade, you can't do a BTO of Server with one SSD and one HDD. You could Fuse, but if you're going to do that don't bother with the Server edition. I would just buy the i7 with Fusion and add Server ($19.99 download from App Store)

3. RAM is the only user-upgradable component, so if you change out drives you'll want to un-do those changes if the machine needs service. For that reason I'd recommend factory Fusion.

 

[chrfr]

1. Pretty sure it's mirrored (RAID 1) but easy to change.

No, the 2 disks come as individual volumes.

 

[raniel]

1. Pretty sure it's mirrored (RAID 1) but easy to change.

2. That would be a DIY upgrade, you can't do a BTO of Server with one SSD and one HDD. You could Fuse, but if you're going to do that don't bother with the Server edition. I would just buy the i7 with Fusion and add Server ($19.99 download from App Store)

3. RAM is the only user-upgradable component, so if you change out drives you'll want to un-do those changes if the machine needs service. For that reason I'd recommend factory Fusion.

thank you.

apple charges too much for the mini with fusion. maybe I'll consider the server version and buy a much more faster/larger harddrive than the 120gb from apple. (plus I have 1tb extra)

----------

No, the 2 disks come as individual volumes.

So if I changed the other drive to ssd Mountain Lion SERVER wont force me to do a fusion drive?

I may be wrong but I've searched around the web and If you add a second drive to a non-server version of mini, the disk utility will force the user to create a fusion. I believe it requires a special version of disk util to proceed with the 2 drives not fused?

 

[opinio]

This weekend Im going to buy the server version of the mac mini (the 1TBx2)
Got few questions:

1. what is the default drive configuration of the two drives? RAID 1, RAID 0?
2. if I upgrade one harddisk to an SSD, can i fuse the two drives???
3. Im thinking of buying the non-server version (i7) and upgrade it myself. I will buy data doubler kit, 128gb ssd anf ML Server OS. Lets say the mini suddenly died, can I send it to apple for repair without removing my upgrades? Will it void the warranty if they saw I added some parts?

Thanks

If you do not actually need the server app do not buy the server? just buy the normal mini and add an SSD (or HDD if you want the same config as a server.

 

[stukdog]

So if I changed the other drive to ssd Mountain Lion SERVER wont force me to do a fusion drive?

I may be wrong but I've searched around the web and If you add a second drive to a non-server version of mini, the disk utility will force the user to create a fusion. I believe it requires a special version of disk util to proceed with the 2 drives not fused?

Adding a second drive (or changing one on the server version) won't force a fusion drive. It just shows up as a second, empty drive.

 

[pingjintao]

If you are going to upgrade one to an SSD, don't buy the server. But the regular mini and get an upgrade kit from OWC. Both together will cost about the same as the server.

 

[linds15]

If you are going to upgrade one to an SSD, don't buy the server. But the regular mini and get an upgrade kit from OWC. Both together will cost about the same as the server.

this. in the past the server had advantages over the mid level model in terms of processing power. the 2012 just gives you a second drive, which if you are going to change to an ssd, makes it an unnecessary. the software is only 20$ as others have mentioned

 

[raniel]

this. in the past the server had advantages over the mid level model in terms of processing power. the 2012 just gives you a second drive, which if you are going to change to an ssd, makes it an unnecessary. the software is only 20$ as others have mentioned

but the risk of breaking the mini in the process is what scares me.
Back to question no3. what if my mini suddenly died? you will undo the upgrades and go through the risk again of breaking some parts. I'm confused now

 

[FreakinEurekan]

but the risk of breaking the mini in the process is what scares me.
Back to question no3. what if my mini suddenly died? you will undo the upgrades and go through the risk again of breaking some parts. I'm confused now

That's the biggest issue with a DIY upgrade. I chose to get the Apple fusion because at $250 price difference, as compared with buying an SSD and data doubler kit, it wasn't worth the small savings to worry about service concerns down the road. Even if you value your time as $0, you're saving perhaps $100 on the DIY route - not worth it to me. You have to decide for yourself if that savings is worth the trouble to you.