Q: Snow Leopard on Mac Mini Server

I found this forum when doing a search for "Mac Mini, or Mac Mini Server?" because I'm trying to decide which to buy. While I'd love to run my own server, I NEED a new computer (and have already promised this mini to my daughter). While I could probably figure out how to install SL after following this forum for a while, I've made my decision to buy the standard new Mini and wait on the server.

It's absolutely absurd that I won't be able to run a regular mini setup on the other hard drive of the Server without going through contortions to do so. Thank you people for alerting me to the fact that it would not be a breeze to do so; it's a shock.

It's probably only a matter of time before regular SL install disks work. Maybe if you buy it at an apple store, they can load the SL client os on as a courtesy. I bought online, so I have to wait. Good Luck.

If you want a server and an SL client for it, try calling Apple and explaining to support that you want to purchase the Server but also need a SL client. At most you might need to purchase a the current SL, but then they should be willing to order you a SL for mac mini (being it won't work with your new mini. Even if it takes a few weeks you'd at least be sure to get what you need.

I'm curious now as to why many people want to install Snow Leopard Client over/instead of Snow Leopard Server??

If you don't want to use the SLS's services, on initial setup, do it manually and do not turn any services on. After booting up, just create another local user account that you'll normally use, and viola, you're good to go. I guess you'd need to get iLife if you're planning to use that, but otherwise, what's the big deal?

not trying to be sarcastic, just wonder what I'm missing....

I'm currently considering upgrading my current system with a view to running logic 9 (not in a heavy way - just recording a small number of audio tracks with a minimum effects). I understand that having a separate hard drive as a scratch disc improves performance for programs such as Logic and Final Cut.

So my thinking is that having a computer with an additional internal hard drive would be ideal for this use. It would mean the firewire port would be free for the audio interface and remove the need for daisy chaining devices. I think I am correct in saying that the internal hard drive connection is faster than firewire. This is the attraction for me in considering the server version of the mini (at least from a hardware perspective).

I would be concerned that while the various audio interface manufacturers would support SL Client when updating drivers, there may be issues with support for the Server version. So I think that having the SL Client might be a safer bet - but that's only my thinking).

(This might be for another discussion, but I too would be interested in how the server version of the mini performs acoustically- would it be quieter for example than an imac?)

This does not work for me either, I bought a Mac OSX 10.6.3 install DVD. And it will not install. I get the stop/prohibited sign on startup.

seanactc wrote:
I'm curious now as to why many people want to install Snow Leopard Client over/instead of Snow Leopard Server??

Couple of reasons:

jcmguitar already articulated my main reason. But also, I think many are probably intimidated or just don't want to administer a server. No matter how simple OS X Server is it still requires a lot of extra knowledge to administer than does the client version. And if you have more than one machine, you'd like them to all act the same.

I also got the mini to run logic. I was running a 2ghz dual processor PPC and it seemed that the mini should be on a par if not better. Plus, as was stated, having 2 drives that might work OK frees the Firwire for use with an audio interface.

But also, besides the intimidation factor of the server and the possibility that the server allocation of resources might not be as optimal for Logic as with the client, the drives that come with the server are 7200 rpm whereas I was informed that the upgraded 500 gb drive on the client would still be a 5400 rpm drive.

I personally think the time has come for the "Mac Mini Pro" - a small, quiet unobtrusive unit with dual removable hard drives; similar in power to the imacs; which would run the standard SL out of the box. I wouldn't mind if there was no optical drive included.

I suppose I am really talking about an updated reincarnation of the G4 Cube. I would definitely purchase such a unit.

jcmguitar wrote:
I personally think the time has come for the "Mac Mini Pro" - a small, quiet unobtrusive unit with dual removable hard drives; similar in power to the imacs; which would run the standard SL out of the box. I wouldn't mind if there was no optical drive included.

I suppose I am really talking about an updated reincarnation of the G4 Cube. I would definitely purchase such a unit.

Just give it some time. We will be able to install SL on the machine once a new version is released on dvd. I think for now there is not much that can really be done, unless we can get our hands on a Mini restore dvd.

Some solutions are being offered elsewhere on the web and I would suggest you try these search terms:

mac mini mid 2010 osx client disc

Thanks MacProCT!!
I'd been looking for this but couldn't find it....
New mini server, here I come!!

Message was edited by: arbitrage

I was able to get my hands on a MacMini restore DvD. I can confirm that the DvD installs perfectly and there are no problems. Thank you to everyone in the mac community.


-Andrew

We had a similar issue with DVD Player reporting -70017 errors, this turned out to be that a monitor is required to be plugged in before it will work properly (same issues with Quartz Extreme etc).

Hi, I cannot format the disk on the Mac Mini 2010 Server. I got the client disk and want to install it, but in the disk utillity on start up I get the message +"Disk erase failed. Disk Erase failed with the error: POSIX reports: The operation couldn't be completed. Resource busy."+ I have a RAID config, striped RAID Set. But I cannot delete the RAID Set either. I boot the mini with the client disc, I have also tried the server install disc with the same results.

Anyone got any ideas?