Headless Mac Mini Server with Snow Leopard - A great solution just got better.

Using the Kanex iAdapt 20 - MDP to HDMI w/ 2 Chanel Audio with a Mac mini server

The MacMini server is a fantastic idea, @ $999 it's a super idea. This setup comes with a minimum unlimited Mac OS X Server 10.6 license, two built-in 500 GB drives, and 4 GB of RAM, enabling almost anybody to own a server that provides email, instant messaging, calendaring, a wiki, podcast production, and more to a medium size workgroup.

Since the footprint is so diminutive, we can basically stick it anywhere, in a corner, on a desk, on top of a file cabinet. It doesn't need a dedicated monitor, but in some situations one would be a nice addition, but most of the time screen sharing works well to administer the mini servers. An Xserve requires a rack mount, or at least a small rolling rack. Sure you're limited to 4GB of ram and a 5400 RPM HD, but the heat savings will pay off in longevity of those drives in spades.

Compared to Xserve, the Mac mini is an inexpensive choice for small and medium size businesses.  You can easily migrate to Serves if and when you outgrow the mini servers, and even keep them around to run dedicated tasks. They do not lose their value very quickly.  The number of ports on a Mac mini server is fantastic: 5 USB 2.0 ports, 1 FireWire 800 port, and a gigabit Ethernet port. The Mini is also very simple but powerful; Mac OS X (UNIX power) Apache, PHP, Samba and Jabber/XMPP stacks all incorporated with ease of the Mac OS.  Being able to administrate the server this easily is a fantastic tool, given the standard unlimited-license version of Server is $499 by itself. Total Bargain.

The mini makes very little noise, and uses about 14 watts of energy when it's in an idle mode. The mini server does not impact your electricity bill nearly as much as any other traditional server.

Some have even upgraded their own mini's to include more ram and faster hard drives. http://blog.fosketts.net/2009/03/23/super-mac-mini/

There is a great article on how to turn one into a great media server for home here from Engadget: How to turn your Mac Mini into a media center.

Some great business/personal uses for a Mac mini server

·         Personal web page/personal WIKI/ Personal iCal/ Personal email hosting.

·         Remote Backups of all your machines on the network

·         File storage server - between Bonjour, SFTP, and AFP and with a properly configured router you can access files from anywhere.

·         One can store all of their files/TV/photos on a server at home - which they can access from home or work.

·         Tivo server by running pytivox

·         Media / iTunes server, print server, bit torrent 'server' downloader

·         External Storage Galore