Q: can I use mac mini server as a desktop computer
Hi -
is ist possible to use a mac mini SERVER as a normal desktop computer.
Is it fast enough for graphic programms and photoshop as well as some small movie cutting?
Thank you
Mac mini
Posted on Mar 29, 2012 3:55 AM
Sure. Lion Server is just a layer -- apps and services -- on top of regular Lion client. You can turn the services off and toss the apps if you want. There's an Apple article about that: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4827
I have Mini Server that splits time for some server services and as a desktop; so I'll just say that the one server services that requires a bit more to turn off is the DNS, which gets setup automatically by the server setup wizard. But it should not be a big deal.
Mini Server is quad core i7 2.0ghz. It's faster than my 13" MBP i7 2.7ghz dual core for CPU intensive tasks. Both have the integrated Intel GPU and have 8GB RAM. Used to be PS could benefit from a faster dedicated GPU like the faster regular Mini that has an AMD GPU; it's probably still is true.
The Intel GPU (on the Mini server and my MBP) is fine for my work in PS, which is mostly retouching and correction. I don't do heavy design work in PS. I do some basic cutting in FCP Studio (last version) also with no complaints, again my needs are modest.
Posted on Mar 29, 2012 4:15 AM