mac mini server a good choice?

[chimpboy74]

Hi
Quick question. i recently bought a macmini to act as a media centre (more than happy). My Father in Law is impressed with set up and wants the same BUT he wants more capacity on the HDD. He has seen a refurb mini server with plenty of HDD space which he is tempted by but keeps asking me what the downside to having one of these over the standard version will be. He isnt fussed for the DVD drive as all his files are downloaded.

Can anyone quickly give reasons why he should/shouldnt go for this? He will not be usingit as a server but only to get the extra specs.

Hope someone can help or point me to where I can get the info on the difference.

 

[mdgm]

A refurb is a unit that has been returned to Apple e.g. a DOA unit. The unit is repaired and thoroughly checked by a Apple tech and then sold again. It's a good way to buy a second hand unit as you get it cheaper than new, but still get the standard 1 year warranty with the option to buy AppleCare to extend the warranty to 3 years.

 

[philipma1957]

it has server osx not regular osx. it is a bit different

 

[PurdueGuy]

If all he wants is extra drive space for downloads, get the regular with an external drive. The price per GB is much smaller.

Also, no iLife with server versions. You can buy that separately.

 

[chimpboy74]

thanks all. I'm aware of the apple refurbs (my mini and macbook are refurbs. its a great way to save some cash!)

Thanks for the advice all. iLife is definitely required so I think he will just go for a standard version

thanks again

 

[srexy]

thanks all. I'm aware of the apple refurbs (my mini and macbook are refurbs. its a great way to save some cash!)

Thanks for the advice all. iLife is definitely required so I think he will just go for a standard version

thanks again

I don't think it's worth it. If you're going to raid1 the drives in the server you'll only be getting 500gb of usable space (- the space used for applications and OS-X). For the $200 saved over the server edition you'd be well on your way to a Drobo style storage solution, or even cheaper, the OWC Mercury Elite dual enclosure which you could use for Raid1 storage anyway.

Unless you have to have OS-X server - save your shekels.

 

[Primejimbo]

it has server osx not regular osx. it is a bit different

Sorry, I am new to this idea and I want to do the same. What is the difference between to 2 OSX?