Mac OS X Server is probably the only server platform I can think of that can speak LPR/LPD, SMB/CIFS, AFP, and NFS right out of the box!!! No additional software needed!!! Server 2003 won't do it, Linux won't do it without adding extra packages (at least not any of the distros I've installed). I have always thought the Mac is really underrated as a server platform. It's actually my personal favorite for file/print services. As long as the power supply is solid, I think the Mac mini would make a great home/small business server.
I agree! Why is it Windows users feel that they have to slam EVERYTHING Macintosh? You don't see Apple users dogging the latest Acer Tablet PC just because Apple doesn't make one. I feel sorry for close-minded people.
Let me start by saying, I am Microsoft Certified, and am currently attending night school for my Linux certs. I work in IT and live and breathe computers.
That being said, I think a lot of people are missing the point of the Mac mini. Everyone has commented on the hardware, the board design, the expandibility, the specs, etc. The Mac has never really been about the hardware, it's about the software. Windows Movie Maker does not hold a candle to iMovie. Windows Media Player does not hold a candle to quicktime, and there is no equivalent of iPhoto on the PC. TextEdit is wayyyyyy better than Notepad... do I need to go on?
After you get done pricing the hardware, start building a software package to make the PC half as user friendly as the Mac... there's no way you'll do it for less than $1000.
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Mac OS X Server is probably the only server platform I can think of that can speak LPR/LPD, SMB/CIFS, AFP, and NFS right out of the box!!! No additional software needed!!! Server 2003 won't do it, Linux won't do it without adding extra packages (at least not any of the distros I've installed). I have always thought the Mac is really underrated as a server platform. It's actually my personal favorite for file/print services. As long as the power supply is solid, I think the Mac mini would make a great home/small business server.
I agree! Why is it Windows users feel that they have to slam EVERYTHING Macintosh? You don't see Apple users dogging the latest Acer Tablet PC just because Apple doesn't make one. I feel sorry for close-minded people.
Let me start by saying, I am Microsoft Certified, and am currently attending night school for my Linux certs. I work in IT and live and breathe computers. That being said, I think a lot of people are missing the point of the Mac mini. Everyone has commented on the hardware, the board design, the expandibility, the specs, etc. The Mac has never really been about the hardware, it's about the software. Windows Movie Maker does not hold a candle to iMovie. Windows Media Player does not hold a candle to quicktime, and there is no equivalent of iPhoto on the PC. TextEdit is wayyyyyy better than Notepad... do I need to go on? After you get done pricing the hardware, start building a software package to make the PC half as user friendly as the Mac... there's no way you'll do it for less than $1000.