can I use mac mini server as a desktop computer

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.

zeitgeist100 wrote:

Thank you Eric,

your answer is a good help for me. I just have to decide. :-)

No problem. An iMac actually might get you more bang for the buck depending on how you configure it; they also take larger 3.5" HDs, where as the mini uses notebook 2.5" HDs. The Mini is more like a laptop in a different form without the LCD screen.

You can hook up one external monitor via the Thunderbolt port to an iMac, which is physically identical a MiniDisplay port. So on the Thunderbolt port you can use a MiniDisplay cable or adapter.

So if you have the space for two monitors, then you could use that type of setup. I assume like most people I know doing photo and/or graphics work typically, you have your monitor(s) you prefer to use. Of course if you have two monitors that you want to keep using then, the iMac won't do that without some 3d party adapter/mechanism of some sort, and the Mini or Mac Pro would be a more natural choice.

Good luck with your decision. I had the same one myself, but went for the Mini Server because I already keyboard, mouse, and 23" opaque monitor, didn't have space for two monitors 20"+ monitors, and I also wanted to experiment with Lion Server, which in the end I ended up using.