new computer...mini server?

[penguy]

Hello

This is strictly for home use (I do a fair amount of photography...use Aperture), some handbrake ripping, etc, but for the most part, the computers are for school work, browsing, emails, etc.

My personal desire is for the best bang for the buck, and at the moment, I really like the hardware side of the Mini server...I don't see a need/advantage for the server, but was hoping someone here could tell me if it's a good fit...

For starters, the other computers are C2D Mac Mini and a C2D unibody Macbook as well as an old G4 Mini. Plus three iPhone (4) and someday soon and iPad. From where I sit, the server s/w isn't essential, but appears to offer a few features that might make life easier....

I guess what I'm asking is would you leave the server s/w on this computer or install Lion over it...or opt for something comparable, but different, say a base level imac... Thoughts? perhaps this should be in the Mini forum?

Thanks

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

Hello

This is strictly for home use (I do a fair amount of photography...use Aperture), some handbrake ripping, etc, but for the most part, the computers are for school work, browsing, emails, etc.

My personal desire is for the best bang for the buck, and at the moment, I really like the hardware side of the Mini server...I don't see a need/advantage for the server, but was hoping someone here could tell me if it's a good fit...

For starters, the other computers are C2D Mac Mini and a C2D unibody Macbook as well as an old G4 Mini. Plus three iPhone (4) and someday soon and iPad. From where I sit, the server s/w isn't essential, but appears to offer a few features that might make life easier....

I guess what I'm asking is would you leave the server s/w on this computer or install Lion over it...or opt for something comparable, but different, say a base level imac... Thoughts? perhaps this should be in the Mini forum?

Thanks

If I gather correctly you want a Mac Mini Server but want just the standard Lion OS? If so then just do an erase and install with Lion and don't install the Server components.

 

[DustinT]

If you don't really need the server features, I'd recommend you take a look at an iMac instead. The base iMac is just a couple of hundred more than a Mini Server and you get a lot for your money, dedicated graphics card, 21.5 1080p monitor and a faster quad core processor. Compared to the Mini Server you'd lose the Server software and the second hard drive.

For me, I'd grab an iMac. If you really needed to second hard drive, just grab an external of some kind and rock on.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

If you don't really need the server features, I'd recommend you take a look at an iMac instead. The base iMac is just a couple of hundred more than a Mini Server and you get a lot for your money, dedicated graphics card, 21.5 1080p monitor and a faster quad core processor. Compared to the Mini Server you'd lose the Server software and the second hard drive.

For me, I'd grab an iMac. If you really needed to second hard drive, just grab an external of some kind and rock on.

+1 on that. You can get really good priced refurbs off Apples website. They come with the standard 1 year warranty.

 

[penguy]

If you don't really need the server features, I'd recommend you take a look at an iMac instead. The base iMac is just a couple of hundred more than a Mini Server and you get a lot for your money, dedicated graphics card, 21.5 1080p monitor and a faster quad core processor. Compared to the Mini Server you'd lose the Server software and the second hard drive.

For me, I'd grab an iMac. If you really needed to second hard drive, just grab an external of some kind and rock on.

I hear what you are saying, and just looking at the clock speed, you would think that would be the case, however the mini server is at least 20% faster than the entry iMac. That, coupled with being tied to a monitor which could fail leaving me with a paper weight, I'm partial to the mini...but you probably saw that from my op.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep thinking about it...now that my son got the Macbook I'm not in a huge rush

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

I hear what you are saying, and just looking at the clock speed, you would think that would be the case, however the mini server is at least 20% faster than the entry iMac. That, coupled with being tied to a monitor which could fail leaving me with a paper weight, I'm partial to the mini...but you probably saw that from my op.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep thinking about it...now that my son got the Macbook I'm not in a huge rush

Don't get caught up in the 20% faster fluff. In the end its just a Mac Mini with redundant Hard Drives and OSX Server.

 

[wrinkster22]

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC508LL/A
this years model: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC309LL/A