Mini server advice

[ryanide]

I currently have a Mac Pro and MacBook pro and I'm thinking of getting a Mac mini server to use primarily for a central iTunes/storage. I don't like having to run my Mac Pro all the time in order to stream content to my AppleTV. I also plan to use it with my home automation software (so the low power consumption is a plus).

I plan on putting it in the closet with my network storage where it will be accessed only remotely from my MacBook (Im not interested in another display and keyboard setup), therefore the graphics part of the mini is really irrelevant for me.

I will continue to rip and encode on the Mac pro and then transfer the files to the mini/NAS. That said, is there any reason I should pay for the server model or just get the basic mini and download the server software for $50 (plus drop an extra 2GB ram in there)?

 

[Tulpa]

If you're using it for storage the server model has faster and bigger hard drives. TBH you might want to consider the 2010 Snow Leopard server mini which has the same amount of storage (though slower) as the 2011 server, and is available for $749 refurbished. I have no personal experience with it but some people are saying that SL server > Lion server.

 

[ryanide]

I'm storing most data including the iTunes library on the 10TB NAS.

 

[Mak47]

For your purposes, simply as an iTunes server, the server version is total overkill.

Honestly, you can pick up a 2010 refurb that will work beautifully for that purpose. If you're using an external 10TB for storage, just go with the base model. The extra drives, faster CPU's and server licenses you're paying for (built into the price of server editions) are doing nothing for you sitting in your closet.

 

[throttlemeister]

I'm storing most data including the iTunes library on the 10TB NAS.

Most NAS' can do exactly what you want the mini to do, without having to run additional hardware. Just saying'. Don't know what NAS you have, but there is a real possibility you can already do what you want without spending extra money.

 

[Vermifuge]

If you're using it for storage the server model has faster and bigger hard drives. TBH you might want to consider the 2010 Snow Leopard server mini which has the same amount of storage (though slower) as the 2011 server, and is available for $749 refurbished. I have no personal experience with it but some people are saying that SL server > Lion server.

The new mini has an option for twin 750 GB drives. i think the 2010 mini topped out at twin 500 GB. If storage is important this could be a deal breaker. i know my personal collection is about to reach 500 GB and I HAVE to find a new solution for hosting my videos

 

[ryanide]

thanks for the advice. Yes, I have a Synology DS1010+ which does in fact have iTunes streaming (for music) but my main interest in having my iTunes movies available to stream to multiple TVs. The NAS will not do this.

Plus I plan to use Home automation software on the mini (which needs to be on in order to work). After researching the speed of the mini server I realize that it may be faster at encoding than my older Mac Pro. In which case I can simply rip the blu-rays on the Mac Pro and offload the files to the server for batch encoding.

That's the plan so far. Thanks.

 

[DisMyMac]

The base mini server has two 500BG hard drives.... Is it a good plan to RAID them?