Mac Mini Server i7 2.0 GHz mid 2011

Having recently upgrade two MacBook Pro's with Crucial's SSDs, and today increased the ram to 8GB on the newer MBP - I am now considering replacing the main drive (of two-being a server) with either the Samsung 840 EVO 1TB or the Crucial 1TB which have been successful in the two MBPs. 
However, I am somewhat floored by some of the comments on this site re-the Mac Mini server.  Ideally I would like to have put two 8GBs ram sticks to total 16 but I have read in Apple Spec that 8 is the maximum strength!  I have also read that some users have floundered with SSDs in the Mac Mini and are not seemingly compatible. 
I realize we may be pushing boundaries here, but as a Publisher the Mac Mini has been very adequate with Quark Xpress 10 and several Adobe applications.  The problem is there is no midway position between the mini and the Mac Pro which is an expensive unit. 
Any comments would be appreciated and having used Macs for the last 30 years I'm sorry that Apple hasn't filled a gap in the market with something that isn't exactly upgradeable.  We all can't afford to rush out and buy Mac Pro's and have to make do with the tools we have.
Yes, we also have a 21" iMac but they're not upgradeable at all when we have to use as a minimum the Thunderbolt displays. 

Thank you.  Appreciate that.  I actually don't use it as a server at all, so I plan to use the server drive as backup to the publications.   I have considered buying the MacProp but when I visited the Southampton UK store two weeks ago, I noticed that the power lead going into the back of the Mac Pro had actually split all the way around leaving the core wires bare albeit for their protective sleeve.  So if that's the quality of the build I thought this is a lot of money for what is a marketing design.  Frankly that design doesn't work because for professional applications we users need something practical - not pretty.
However, the Mac Mini design for us is OK although I don't see the need to design computers as small as they can be. If something goes wrong you need to fix it not have to take a University degree in mechanics and electronics.  Yes the previous G5 style computers were built like tanks, but something in between would suit us professionals.  It doesn't need to fit in a ladies handbag but something of a cube 7 or 8 inches all around would be very practical.  I hope Sir Jonathan reads this!  
Thank you for your help. 

Similar Messages

  • Mac Mini Server Mid 2011 i7 problems

    I have a Mac Mini Server with an i7 Mid 2011 that had a lot of issues with memory because we were running so many services with 4GB of memory and would have 4 pages of usage in activity monitor after the 4GB of memory was full. It wouldn't restart on us or crash when running just really slow down due to usage of RAM. We just bought new RAM to bring it up to 8GB (2 x 4GB). It's the right memory for the computer. And now Lion crashes and restarts on us and even becomes way unresponsive too. Is there a way to check RAM to make sure it isn't bad without install a program. I recall someone once saying you could hold some buttons down at start up to do a RAM check.

    I think verbose mode runs a simple check,
    Starting up in single-user or verbose mode
    1. Shut down your Mac if it is on.
    2. Press the power button to start the computer.
    3. Immediately press and hold the Command (Apple) key and
    one
    of the following:
    the "s" key for single-user mode.  (Command-S)
    the "v" key for verbose mode.  (Command-V)

  • Mac Mini Server mid 2010 problems

    I have a Mac Mini server mid 2010 model, running Mountain Lion server.
    It reported a fault with the HDD in the lower drive bay some months ago, so I changed the disk. It still reports a fault with a new disk and the original disk works perfectly in a portable enclosure, so it cannot be a disk problem but something more serious.
    I have now discovered that bank 1 ram slot has failed. I have two 2GB ram modules, and whichever way I insert them bank 1 claims to have no ram.
    Are these two problems related, and what is the fix. I'm just hoping there is something simple and that I don't need to replace the logic board.

    Run Apple Hardware Test to try and pin down where issue is.
    However, it does sound like it is a logic board issue.  These
    days, since pretty much all the ICs on the board are BGA
    (ball grid array), even the best electronics hobbyist can't
    replace them.
    I just did a quick Google of logic boards for 2010 Mini and
    they are pretty pricey ($500-$600 range).  If you have Applecare,
    however, you should be covered.
    At that price for logic boards, you may be better off looking for
    someone selling a 2010 Mini and just replace yours.

  • Clean install Mountain Lion on Mac mini Server (Mid 2011)

    Hi.
    I am trying to do a clean install of ML on a Mac Mini Server. This is just a test machine, so not interested in any backups, etc.
    The machine is a Mid 2011 Mac Mini, and had Lion Server on it to start with (has been re-installed, reimaged, etc multiple times in it's short life with me so far ..)
    I would like to set the internal disks up as a Software Raid 1 config.
    I have a successfully created and tested USB stick with OS X ML install on it. I boot the mini with the USB stick, and once the installer options are available, I use the disk utility to create my software raid 1 config. Once this is completed, I proceed with the rest of the install.
    Before I can go any further, I am warned that the installer will NOT be able to create a recovery partition, and use time machine backups on this drive.
    If I break the raid and install on either one of the drives, the install proceeds without any problems.
    Is there a method I can use to do a clean install on this machine with the drives configured as RAID 1?

    This is the message that would happen with Lion, see this: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4649
    Basically when you setup a Raid 0/1, the Lion and Mt. Lion installer won't/can't create a recovery partition.
    When you boot from a recovery partition you have access to certain tools, e.g. Disk Utility to restore a Time Machine back up, redownload the OS, etc.
    The recovery partition provides a certain bit of convenience but isn't absolutely necessary to run the OS. When you see the message, doesn't it let you go ahead with the install, accepting that no recovery partition will be created?
    If you need some of the recovery partition tools, you have a bootable USB stick as well as a backup of the Mt. Lion installer, no?

  • Hello, I just wanted to know when an update would be available for my mac mini server os x lion to resolve the issues regarding my m-audio fastrack pro usb audio interface (no midi messages recognized)

    Hello, I just wanted to know when an update would be available for my mac mini server os x lion to resolve the issues regarding my m-audio fastrack pro usb audio interface (no midi messages recognized)

    Have you reported your problems to Apple?
    BugReporter
    <http://bugreporter.apple.com>
    Free ADC (Apple Developer Connection) account needed for BugReporter.
    Anyone can get a free account at:
    <http://developer.apple.com/programs/register/>
    And/Or
    Mac OS X Feedback<http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html>

  • Installation of Mountain Lion Server (OS X Server) fails on Mac Mini Server (Mid 2010)

    This is just a very short statement...
    Is it really not possible to upgrade to OS X Server on a Mac Mini Server Mid 2010 which run Snow Leopard Server without any problems...????
    Joke...???!!!!!!

    Hi
    I know you may know this but just in case you don't and for the benefit of others these are the tech specs for ML:
    http://www.apple.com/osx/specs/
    It seems as if your hardware does meet the requirements. However you've neglected to mention what error message (exactly) you see when trying to upgrade.
    HTH?
    Tony

  • What applications and utilities are established on OS X Server bundled with a Mac mini server mid 2012 purchase ?

    What applications and utilities are established on OS X Server bundled with a Mac mini server mid 2012 purchase ?
    I know about the Server app and the iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand), but what else applications and utilities bundled with a Mac mini server mid 2012 purchase ?

    And I said that OS X Server includes all the Mountain Lion apps and Server. Server includes utilities: Keychain Access, Boot Camp Assistant, Migration Assistant, MIDI Audio Configuration, Console, AppleScript Editor, Grapher, System Information, Grab, Bluetooth File Exchanger, Digital Color Meter, Activity Monitor, Java Preferences, Terminal, AirPort Utility, ColorSync Utility, Disk Utility, Network Utility, RAID Utility and VoiceOver Utility.
    Also, you should have some Server specific programs. Is this what you want to know about Server?

  • Mac mini server Mid 2011 Maverick upgrade problem

    Help needed I have a mac mini server mid 2011
    2x500gb hard drives
    Hard Drive one is Macintosh HD
    Hard Drive Two is Server HD
    I upgraded to mavericks osx onto drive one Macintosh HD
    I went to upgrade os x server for mavericks and it went to install on hard drive one Macintosh HD not the Server HD
    So I formated both drives which partition map scheme is GUID Partition Table on both drives.
    I done a new Install of Mavericks on drive one Macintosh HD that works fine
    I downloaded OS X Server again and it is installing on hard drive one Macintosh HD and not Server HD
    and it will not give me an option to Install on the Server HD.
    I have also looked in the system preferances Startup disk and now I have a question mark showing.
    When I open it it only shows Macintosh HD and NOT the Server HD
    Can someone please advise
    I'm not bad on computers but this has stuped me.
    Iif anyone can help please can you explain in easy terms if there is any.
    Thank you

    Server.app will install on the same disk OS X resides on.
    What I think you are seeking here is to have the server data on the other disk, and that is configured via Server.app, once you have Server.app installed.  Launch Server.app and select the server name at the top of the left column and then go to the Settings on the right side, and select where you want the service data there.

  • Removing OSX Lion Server from Mac Mini Server (Mid 2011)

    Hello, fellow apple fanboys!
    I was wondering if anybody knew the sollution to my problem. I have recently purchased the Mac Mini Server, the mid 2011 model, and I wanted to replace the server edition of Lion with the standard one. However, when I plug in my lion installation thumbdrive the system just displays a stop sign, meaning that I cannot boot from it. I was wondering if I could just wipe the Server HD and reinstall standard Lion OS on it.

    I have the 2011 Mini Server and all I did was just not enable
    any server functions.  It works just fine.  Unlike previous
    versions of OSX, the server is an add on to the OS and
    not intertwined with the OS.  So, my suggestion is don't
    bother.  Just isn't worth the time.
    As to why the thumbdrive doesn't work, it is probably a version
    that is older than what the Mini was shipped with.  This is not
    anything new as this is the way OSX has always been.

  • Mac mini server mid 2011 lion mouse pointer disappears after sleep

    Hi,
    I bought a mid 2011 mac mini server (quad core) running OSX Lion (10.7.2), and I use it with the magic trackpad. Sometimes (not every time) when I wake the computer from sleep (I let it sleep via the menu at night), the mouse pointer is not visible. I can use the trackpad, and move the mouse and click, only I cannot see where I click because the mouse pointer is not visible.
    The batteries in the trackpad are OK.
    When I plug in a USB mouse, I can move and click that too, but the mouse pointer is still invivible.
    So it seems to be OSX related
    The only thing that seems to help is to restart the system. After reboot the mouse is back as normal. Still this is very annoying as it makes sleep quite useless.
    Anyone else suffering from this? Any solutions? Thanks.
    Thanks,
    Gino

    I also have this issue intermittantly but fairly often.
    But sometimes the cursor comes back but the screen stays black except where the cursor has moved across, revealing the screen, a bit like using the spraycan tool in MacPaint years ago.
    And to top it off I have a problem with sleep making all the open apps try to quit, but one is always unable to, and it seems to lock everthing up until I wake up the mac, and then all the apps that were open do resume, but in the meantime any TV programs that should have recorded (by waking up mac to record) using my Elgato EyeTV have been missed ...

  • Mac Mini Server (mid 2011): after erasing both drives, do I need to reinstall OS X on both drives or just one?

    After purchasing a new mac mini, I am selling the mid 2011 server.  I am not sure if I need to reinstall Yosemite on both hard drives (I have erased both drives).  I assume I need to but I thought I read that I don't and have not been able to find that article again.  The manuals available are only for the earlier mac mini server or my year, mid 2011, the "regular" mac mini.

    You should NOT install Yosemite on your 2011 model. That model DID NOT come preinstalled with OS X Yosemite. If you do you're using YOUR Apple ID not the buyer's.
    Before you sell your 2011 Mac Mini you need to install the original OS that the Mac shipped with. If it came preinstalled with OS X Lion or Mountain Lion, you can use Internet Recovery (Command+Option+R) which will boot into Apple's servers and verify the Mac and allow it's preinstalled OS to be reinstalled. Here is a link that should help you prepare it for resale.

  • 27' Cinema Display Connected to Mac Mini Server Mid 2011

    Hi all, i currently have my mac mini server Mid 2011 hooked up to my 27' inch apple cinema display and it flickers once a while.

    Problem seems to have being solved after mem upgrade to 16GB from original 4GB.

  • Mac Mini Server - Mid 2010

    Greetings All.
    Regarding Mac Mini SERVER [2010].
    My Intentions:
    1) Wipe Clean.
    2} Install Snow Leopard
    3) Use as regular Computer employing 2 7200 rpm HD's and 2.66 Processor.
    My Questions:
    What Issues/challenges can I expect?
    Is apple cool with this?
    Thank you all.
    Regards.
    tabliss

    I don't know what you mean by "challenges", the only thing with reinstalling would be not having iLife on the computer anymore. Also, on the Install DVD, you could configure the drives in RAID like what I do with my Mac mini Server. It would not void the warranty or anything.

  • Mac mini Server mid.2010 upgrade to Mavericks?

    Hi, my Mac mini Server (2.66GHz Intel Core Duo, 8Gb RAM) running OS X 10.8.5 does not propose me to upgrade to Mavericks through "Software Update". Does it mean it's not safe to upgrade? Why do I read that a Mac Mini more recent than 2009 can run Mavericks?
    My Mac Book Air upgraded through "Software Update" so I did not do anything with the Mac mini yet. Any advice on wether to upgrad or not is appreciated. I do not use the Server part, I understand that if I upgrade to Mavericks I'll have to pay for the upgrade of the Server should I need it.
    Basically my question is why doesn't the Software Update propose me to upgrade my Mac mini.

    OS X Mavericks requires an Early 2009 or newer Mac mini. As your Mac has got an Intel Core Duo processor, you shouldn't be able to upgrade, but to check this, open the Mac App Store and try to download OS X Mavericks. The Mac App Store will show an error if your Mac is not compatible.
    If it's compatible, you will have to purchase OS X Server after upgrading. Make a backup of your files with Time Machine and check that your applications are compatible > http://www.roaringapps.com

  • Mac mini server (mid 2010)  10.7.2 and 10.7.3 won't  install

    My Mac Mini Server running Lion 10.7.1 will not accept the update to 10.7.2 or 10.7.3. I know that there have been some MacBook Pro's that wont accept the install. I have run disk utility and repaired disk permissions and verified the disk. I cant boot off a disk as Lion is a direct download from the App store. I have read that 10.7.2 was very buggy and some people were restorong back to 10.7.1. Can I update to 10.7.3 from 10.7.1. I have also tried the stand alone installers. The same problem the .dmg downloads and opens I run the install package which validates and runs. When I am prompted to restart a message comes up same unexpected error ocurred unable to install and a restart option. Its driving me nuts.

    Did this Mini come with 10.6.x?
    If so, Boot off your *original* Install Disk while holding down the *d key*, (not c key), then run the extended Apple Hardware Test. Some disks require you to use the Option key at bootup to select AHT.

Maybe you are looking for