How should I set up my 06 mini server?

[The Guv]

Hey all,

I have an 06 mini with the 1.5ghz solo chip, 1Gb RAM and 10.6.8. It barely runs torrents or even a web browser at the moment but I would like to get a few more years use out of it.

I'm thinking the 2Ghz C2D chip and 2Gb of RAM but I'm not sure if I should stick with 10.6 Server or add the extra RAM, do the flash and try 10.7 server.

What I would like to run:
- time machine backups for laptop and eventual new mini across network
- torrents (and storage thereof)
- run storage off the back of it (RAID and USB drives)
- AirPrint server (via Printopia)

Would be great to get some ideas, thanks in advance!

 

[maflynn]

The only piece of advise I'd offer is consider the cost of what you're looking to do. It could easily come close if not surpass the cost of a new mini. I don't know the cost of a new CPU, but new Mac Mini's are not all that expensive.

 

[The Guv]

The only piece of advise I'd offer is consider the cost of what you're looking to do. It could easily come close if not surpass the cost of a new mini. I don't know the cost of a new CPU, but new Mac Mini's are not all that expensive.

I have definitely kept that in mind Mike. The 2.0 processor is pretty much the cheapest one I can get at $40 shipped, 2Gb of RAM should be the same - I have spare hard drives floating around, it's really the system that has me worried. I might have to buy 10.6 server and thats the same again-ish.

So, I'm thinking I should have the foundations for $120-ish (AUD). It's a good AirPrint server at the moment, would like it to do more!

Ben

 

[MultiFinder17]

For your uses, you may want to consider a used 2009 mini; it has all the features that you're looking for, runs the latest OS, can take more internal upgrades for future needs, has more modern internals, and they are getting very cheap these days! Just a thought before you sink much money into a machine from 2006.

 

[The Guv]

For your uses, you may want to consider a used 2009 mini; it has all the features that you're looking for, runs the latest OS, can take more internal upgrades for future needs, has more modern internals, and they are getting very cheap these days! Just a thought before you sink much money into a machine from 2006.

Yeah, it's a fine line to be sure. I think the conservationist in me wants to keep it going rather than bin it and get something newer. It will bite me when the latest OS no longer plays with SL but hopefully that's in the future. Thanks for the thought though!

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So I've bought the 2Ghz C2D, 2Gb RAM, spare heat sink screws for $60 and have a 750Gb drive ready to go. Looking forward to opening the little bugger up.

I'm leaning to SL server over 10.7 server purely for the reduced load on the processor, any thoughts on that?