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On 24/7
- Thread starter iMaven
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My late 2009 ran 24/7 for about 4.5 years and never had a problem! I never even put it to sleep. Just turned the monitor off.
My mid-2011 Mac Mini runs as a media server 24/7 with no complaints. It has a 960GB SSD and a 1.5TB hard disk for photos, music and movies. Since it is idle a lot (we don't watch movies ALL the time) ... it also serves as a Time Machine backup NAS for all the household computers storing the backups on a 12TB RAID-5 box (along with a Synology NAS buried in the basement for dual redundancy).
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Awesome set up. My setup will be similar, meaning, Mac Mini (media server) to NAS to off-site storage. I already have everything, except the mini. Are you using the regular Mac OS or the server version?
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I've replaced the HD for an SSD, so for me, its a moot issue
Is it difficult to replace or did Apple replace it for you?
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I've got an early 2006 intel Mini I bought brand new in 2006. It has been on more or less 24/7 since I bought it. The only problem was a failed hard drive after about 5 years!
Replacing the HD isn't too hard, just follow the guides on you tube or ifixit.
I've now recently bought a 2nd hand late 2009 Mini server which runs as a media server. The 2006 is semi retired for light use but still on 24/7.
They are great little computers, very reliable.
Replacing the HD isn't too hard, just follow the guides on you tube or ifixit.
I've now recently bought a 2nd hand late 2009 Mini server which runs as a media server. The 2006 is semi retired for light use but still on 24/7.
They are great little computers, very reliable.
Run it 24/7, go for it. My brother has one that he uses for watching online content on his TV and it's permanently hooked to his TV and always on on one of his other HDMI sources. I think he turns it off or throws it into sleep if he goes on a trip, but it's on 99% of the time. Never had any problems.
I am running OS X 10.9.4 with the Server extensions (mainly for the TimeMachine backup server function).
It is also connected to my TV via the HDMI interface to watch content on that TV. Other rooms use AppleTV for watching the server content.
I purchased a Mac Mini "server" in October 2010 with an EyeTV to use as a DVR.
It has been running esentially 24*7 since that time.
The original drives have long since died, which is OK, I am using external 3.5" drives via Firewire 2, which is plenty fast for TV/video use and provides much more storage space vs the original internal drives.
Drives aside, the box has been great.
It has been running esentially 24*7 since that time.
The original drives have long since died, which is OK, I am using external 3.5" drives via Firewire 2, which is plenty fast for TV/video use and provides much more storage space vs the original internal drives.
Drives aside, the box has been great.
Is your OS the server version? I was thinking of just using Mavericks or Yosemite when it's released.
The current "Server" OS is simply a $20 function add-on extension to the standard Mavericks installation. It used to be a higher priced separate operating system, but now you can simply add it at any time.
If all you need is to share iTunes content, you don't need it. You can check the Apple description of the Server functionality to determine if you really need any of the additional functions. I mostly use it to provide additional Time Machine NAS capability to other computers on my network, for which you do need the Server add-on.
http://www.apple.com/osx/server/
I have an early 2009 mini I bought second hand three years ago and have left it on 24/7 as a media server ever since. Only reboot as necessary for updates and I do turn it off when I'm away for extended periods. Not one problem at all. They are indeed fantastic and reliable little computers.
Apple Says That My 2012 2.3 i7=11W/85W Idle/Max
The Mac mini is a very "green" desktop computer. Mine is probably way under the maximum power figure most of the time. The system fan reminds me when the i7 is under load. Until I begin working with videos it usually idles at 1800 rpm.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3468?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Don
The Mac mini is a very "green" desktop computer. Mine is probably way under the maximum power figure most of the time. The system fan reminds me when the i7 is under load. Until I begin working with videos it usually idles at 1800 rpm.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3468?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Don
My 2011 is on all time. Has a 750 GB hybrid HD and a 1.5 TB HD.
I upgraded the 500GB HD and added the 1.5 TB HD - was not difficult, just do the procedure slowly and check your work.
Have a 3TB ioSafe indestructible HD for Time Machine backups and networked storage.
The Mac Mini is used as a media server and my business machine. When I update my business computer the Mini will be a dedicated HTPC - It was purchased with that intent.
I will update to a 969 GB SSD in it eventually, spent the $ on the ioSafe for sound business reasons.
I upgraded the 500GB HD and added the 1.5 TB HD - was not difficult, just do the procedure slowly and check your work.
Have a 3TB ioSafe indestructible HD for Time Machine backups and networked storage.
The Mac Mini is used as a media server and my business machine. When I update my business computer the Mini will be a dedicated HTPC - It was purchased with that intent.
I will update to a 969 GB SSD in it eventually, spent the $ on the ioSafe for sound business reasons.
Use a mac mini 2009 which is left on 24/7. Is used with a Elgato Diversity TV Tuner, and EyeTV for use as a DVR.
Has been upgraded to a 60Gb SSD and 8Gb RAM. Still on 10.8.5.
60Gb SSD is perfectly fine as all of the Elagto Recordings/iTunes Library is stored on a DroboPro attached via FW800. Less then 15Gb is in use on the machine.
For serving the Apple TV3 then the drobo is fine.
Connected directly via Ethernet into an Airport Extreme then the mini wakes up and records via Elgato, wakes up for TV Guide Updates or when fire up the AppleTV.
So far 5 years and apart from reboots for software updates, hardware upgrades, and when the Drobo was being replaced then hasn't been off in 5 years.
Has been upgraded to a 60Gb SSD and 8Gb RAM. Still on 10.8.5.
60Gb SSD is perfectly fine as all of the Elagto Recordings/iTunes Library is stored on a DroboPro attached via FW800. Less then 15Gb is in use on the machine.
For serving the Apple TV3 then the drobo is fine.
Connected directly via Ethernet into an Airport Extreme then the mini wakes up and records via Elgato, wakes up for TV Guide Updates or when fire up the AppleTV.
So far 5 years and apart from reboots for software updates, hardware upgrades, and when the Drobo was being replaced then hasn't been off in 5 years.
It is running Mac OS X server 10.6, upgraded to 10.6.8.
From Apple, it shipped with a grey 10.6.4 DVD. I am happy to own a legal copy of 10.6 server, but for my needs, I would be better off with the regular 10.6.x OS software. I know that XServe hardware needs specific stuff from the server version, but I don't believe that is the case for the Mac Mini "servers".
My problem is that a regular 10.6.0 DVD isn't new enough for my particular Mac Mini. I would like to hunt down a similar 10.6.4 DVD that would have come with a single disk drive + DVD drive Mini, but so far, I have not been able to locate one.
Mine's been going since 2006, never turn it off unless going away for more than a week or so.