The Mac mini Desktop Computer from Apple is a quiet and compact desktop computer in a sleek aluminum unibody enclosure. The system, only 7.7" square and 1.4" high, is a great option for users who would like a compact, inexpensive system to use as a server. It ships sans optical drive, keyboard, mouse, and monitor, allowing you to add peripherals as needed.
The system is powered by a quad-core 2GHz Intel Core i7 CPU. Dual 500GB 7200rpm hard drives are installed, making the system an ideal choice to serve data-intensive network applications. The system's impressive spec set is rounded out with 4GB of RAM, integrated Intel GMA HD 3000 graphics, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi.
The computer is loaded with Apple's Mac OS X Server operating system. The 64-bit OS is able to run a File Sharing Server, IM server, Mail Server, Address Book Server, Calendar Server, and Web Server with the robust OS.
Mac OS X Server includes Time Machine backup, which automatically backs up system data to an external hard drive. It also features intuitive natural scrolling, the innovative Launchpad application launcher, and support for full screen applications. Mission Control combines the functionality of Dashboard, Exposé, and Spaces -- giving you a bird's eye view of everything that is happening on your computer.
Mac OS X Server also adds Auto Save to your Mac, ensuring that you won't lose data if you forget to save a file. The OS tracks different versions of your documents, so you can go back to a previous draft of a document with ease. AirDrop makes it easy to transmit files wirelessly between computers, even if there is no central Wi-Fi network available. The revamped Mail application takes full advantage of modern widescreen displays.
You can expand the functionality of your computer system by browsing through the multitude of productivity applications, games, and other software that is available for purchase from the Mac App Store. Because the software in the store is curated by Apple, you can be sure that it is free of malware and safe to use. And, like the iOS App Store, you'll automatically be notified when updated versions of your favorite programs are available for download.
And of course, a Mac wouldn't be a Mac without iLife '11. The complete suite of digital creativity applications is installed on the system. Easy enough for anyone to use, iLife will help you edit your home movies, organize digital photos, and compose original music. The system features an HDMI output port, making it a great option for users who would like a home theater computer for Internet video streaming and big-screen computer gaming. An optional remote control is available separately for purchase.
Quad-Core Power
Mac mini with Mac OS X Server features a 2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor that delivers incredible speed and performance, thanks to innovations like Turbo Boost 2.0, Hyper-Threading, and an integrated memory controller. Add in 6MB of L3 cache, and you'll find that Mac mini with Mac OS X Server is packed with power. It also has two 500GB 7200-rpm hard drives built in, so you can host wikis and websites, back up the data you need, and store just about anything.
High-Speed Thunderbolt I/O
Now the speed of your server isn't limited by the speed of your connection. Thunderbolt technology lets you daisy-chain a display and up to six devices, including high-performance storage solutions such as the Promise Pegasus, via one compact port. And you'll see data transfer rates up to 12x faster than with FireWire-800.
Mac OS X Server -- The Server for Everyone
Mac OS X Server is perfect for any small business or group -- retail shops, medical and law offices, classrooms, design studios, you name it. Now you can have your own server to help you communicate, collaborate, and share information.
The More Users the Merrier
Mac mini with Mac OS X Server lets you add an unlimited number of Mac and PC users without per-user licensing fees. So you can grow your business without growing your budget. And you get amazing hardware and software that are ready to go, right out of the box, for less than the cost of most server software alone.
Server App -- Your Own Mini IT Department
The Mac is famously easy to use, and so is Mac mini with Mac OS X Server. That makes it perfect for people who've never run a server before, or for overtaxed IT departments. The Server app will walk you through the setup process step by step. And if you want help at any stage, just click the question mark icon for more information.
Fits Right Into Your Environment
Advanced network hardware and software make it incredibly simple to integrate Mac mini with Mac OS X Server into any Mac or PC environment. And it's compatible with a wide range of displays, keyboards, mice, and other peripherals, so you can put it to work with the equipment you already have.
Management Skills
Tools like the Server app let you quickly set up all your key services and manage users and groups. And a Server Status Dashboard widget makes it easy to keep an eye on the status of services such as email, file sharing, web hosting, and more.
Space Saver, Energy Saver
Mac mini with Mac OS X Server uses as little as 13 watts of power when idle -- a fraction of the power needed by a similarly equipped tower server. So it has a big impact on the way your office works, but only a tiny impact on the planet.
It's Not Just a Server -- It's a Full-Featured Mac
Mac mini with Mac OS X Server comes fully loaded with all the server apps you need. But that's just the beginning. It also includes everything you love about OS X, like Mission Control, Launchpad, full-screen apps, and the Mac App Store -- along with iLife '11, which lets you do amazing things with photos, movies, and music. Just like on every other Mac.
Mac OS X Server Features
Server App
The Server app is your go-to place for practically everything related to your server, and it couldn't be easier to set up. It includes a setup assistant that guides you step by step through the configuration process. Just a few clicks and you're off and running. You get local and remote administration of features and services such as users and groups, file sharing, calendaring, e-mail, contacts, chat, Time Machine, VPN, web, and wiki services. Want to know how your server is performing? The Server app can tell you. It displays graphs for monitoring access and server performance and gives you an overview of your hardware configuration and storage use. The Server app even lets you configure your server to send you e-mail alerts if problems arise or if new software updates are available.
Profile Manager
Profile Manager offers you simple yet powerful ways to set up and remotely manage computers running Mac OS X and iOS devices such as iPad and iPhone. It also simplifies the creation of new configuration profiles and user accounts for mail, calendar, contacts, and chat, enforcement of restrictions, PIN and password policies, configuration of system settings, and more. Because it's integrated with the Apple Push Notification service, Profile Manager can send out updated configurations over the air automatically. And it includes web-based administration, so you can manage your server from any modern web browser. Profile Manager even gives users access to a self-service web portal where they can download and install new configuration profiles, as well as clear passcodes and remotely lock or wipe devices that are lost or stolen.
File Sharing for iPad
Mac OS X Server delivers wireless file sharing for iPad. When you enable WebDAV in Mac OS X Server, users can access, copy, and share documents on the server from applications such as Keynote, Numbers, and Pages right from iPad.
Push Notifications
Mac OS X Server is integrated into the Apple Push Notification service and can immediately notify users when they receive new mail messages, calendar invitations, changes to meetings, or updates to contact information.
Wiki Server
Wiki Server 3 brings even more ease of use and control to your wikis. Use Wiki Server to host a website or wiki where your users can add content using the new Page Editor. Your wiki includes a document repository where users can upload, preview, and download files to their computers, making sharing and collaboration a breeze. With the new navigation bar, users can quickly switch to the server's home page, My Page, Updates, Wikis, People, or Podcasts. People Browser lets you discover and share information outside a wiki. And automatic e-mail notifications let users know when a page has been updated or when new comments have been added.
iCal Server 3
Now anyone can maintain schedules, appointments, and to-dos. iCal Server 3 lets you share a calendar with colleagues, family, and friends. So multiple people can access the same calendar to add events or update meeting details. You can also create a shared to-do or reminders list whose items can be prioritized and marked as completed by anyone with access to the shared calendar.
Mail Server 3
Mail Server 3 includes features that enhance client services. With attachment searching, users can search the content of message attachments stored on the server. Searching works with all standard file formats, including iWork and Microsoft Office documents, PDF files, and QuickTime videos. Mail Server includes a webmail service with a modern web design. It supports rich text and HTML messages, multiple languages, drag-and-drop message management, and threaded message listings.
Xsan
Now built into OS X Mac OS X, the Xsan file system allows any Mac with appropriate connectivity to access an Xsan volume. Mac OS X Server includes the Xsan Admin application for hosting and configuring Xsan volumes. And for improved performance and simplicity, you can create case-insensitive Xsan volumes that act like traditional HFS+ volumes and do not distinguish between uppercase and lowercase characters in filenames. Mac OS X also supports industry-standard multipathing and failover, so Xsan can be used with a variety of Fibre-Channel RAID storage arrays.
Mac OS X
Hardware and Software Made for Each Other
Since the software on every Mac is created by the same company that makes the Mac, you get a fully integrated system in which everything works together perfectly. OS X works with the processor in your Mac to deliver the best possible performance. The Multi-Touch trackpad on every Mac notebook gives you more than enough space to pinch, swipe, and tap your way around most of the apps on your system. OS X gives you long battery life by dimming the screen in low-light conditions and even regulating processor activity between keystrokes.
Interact with Your Computer in a Whole New Way
Tap, scroll, pinch, and swipe using Multi-Touch gestures, directly controlling what's on your screen in a more fluid, natural, and intuitive way. When you scroll down on your trackpad or Magic Mouse, your document scrolls down. When you scroll up, your web page scrolls up. When you swipe left, your photos move left. And there are many more gestures that make all you do on your Mac the best experience you can have on a computer. Hands down.
Easy to Use and Incredibly Powerful
From the desktop you see when you start up your Mac to the applications you use every day, everything is designed to be simple and intuitive. Of course, making amazing things simple requires some seriously advanced technologies, and OS X is loaded with them. Not only is it built on a rock-solid, time-tested UNIX foundation that provides unparalleled stability, it also delivers incredible performance, stunning graphics, and industry-leading support for Internet standards.
Easy Access to All of Your Apps
Working and playing on a Mac is all about apps, so OS X makes it simple to find and open those apps fast. The Dock is a handy place on your desktop for storing and launching your favorite apps, and it makes switching between them a breeze. The Dock also includes Stacks, folders that give you quick access to documents, files, and downloads. Launchpad is a full-screen home for all the apps on your Mac. It lets you arrange them the way you want, group them in folders, and delete them with ease. And apps purchased from the Mac App Store automatically appear in Launchpad, so you can browse thousands of apps and start using the ones you buy right away.
Find, Organize, and Share Files Fast
The Finder gives you easy access to all the files on your system. It lets you find, organize, and access practically everything on your Mac -- including applications, files, folders, discs, and shared computers on your network. You can sort files by kind, application, date modified, date added, or size. But with so many files on your computer, finding a specific one can be a challenge. Not on a Mac. Features like Spotlight and Quick Look make locating the file you're looking for effortless -- even if you don't know the filename. Say you're searching for a document, and the only thing you recall about it is the phrase "surrealist painters." Open Spotlight, start typing "surrealist painters," and your Mac generates a list of files that contain those words. And with Quick Look, you don't need to open an application to verify that you've found the right file - view a full-screen preview by hitting the space bar. Want to share a file with someone nearby? Just drag and drop to send it to the person wirelessly with AirDrop.
See Everything Running on Your Mac. In an Instant
OS X offers systemwide support for gorgeous, full-screen apps that use every inch of your Mac display. You can have multiple full-screen apps open at once -- along with multiple apps in windows. And it's easy to switch between full-screen and desktop views. Mission Control gives you a bird's-eye view of all your windows and full-screen apps, and allows you to instantly navigate among them.
It Does the Saving for You
Say goodbye to the worry and the hassle of manually saving your work. Auto Save automatically saves your work, while you work, without you having to do a thing. Versions creates a new version of a document each time you open it and every hour while you're working. It saves only the differences between successive versions, so the impact on your disk drive is minimal. Just open Versions to see the current document next to a cascade of previous versions. You can copy and paste between versions or revert to an earlier version. And when you share a document, you share only the most recent copy.
Highly Secure by Design
OS X doesn't get PC viruses. And with virtually no effort on your part, the operating system protects itself from other malicious applications. Because every Mac ships with a secure configuration, you don't have to worry about changing complex settings in order to stay safe. Even better, OS X won't slow you down with constant security alerts and sweeps. Apple responds quickly to online threats and automatically delivers security updates. And with FileVault 2 in Mac OS X, all the data on your Mac is protected by powerful encryption.
Built for Compatibility
The versatility and power of OS X help a Mac fit in just about anywhere -- including Windows networks. Want to transfer your files, photos, and other data from a Windows PC? OS X lets you do that easily. If you want to run Windows on your Mac, you can do that, too. OS X has built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, so you can use your Mac at home and at work and keep all your messages, meetings, and contacts in one place. OS X works with virtually all of today's digital cameras, printers, and other peripherals without the need to manually download separate drivers. And it opens popular file types such as JPG, MP3, and PDF, as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.
Accessible Innovation
OS X comes standard with a wide range of assistive technologies that help people with disabilities experience what the Mac has to offer, including many features you won't find in other operating systems -- at any price. For example, built-in VoiceOver screen-reading technology, available in over 20 languages, makes it possible for those who are blind or have low vision to control their computers using key commands or gestures on a Multi-Touch trackpad. OS X also offers out-of-the-box support for more than 40 Braille displays (including Bluetooth displays) and many other accessibility features, such as dynamic full-screen magnification, playback of closed captions, and a scalable screen.
Reliable from the Very Start
Just about everything you do on a Mac -- even upgrading to the latest version of the OS -- is safe and reliable. OS X checks your applications to make sure they're compatible and sets aside any programs known to be incompatible. If a power outage interrupts your installation, OS X can start again without losing any data. Best of all, upgrading doesn't require reformatting your drive -- you keep all your compatible applications, files, and settings. And if something goes wrong when you're using your Mac, Time Machine is there to restore your data if needed.
Built-In Apps
iPhoto
iPhoto is an easy-to-use photo application that makes it fast and fun to organize and find your pictures, as well as make them look their absolute best. With features like Faces, Places, and Events, iPhoto helps you keep track of your photos by who's in them and when and where you took them -- all in an immersive full-screen view. Use quick and simple editing tools to make so-so shots picture perfect with just a few clicks. iPhoto even lets you share your photos with the world with beautiful photo books and letterpress cards or online via Facebook and Flickr.
iMovie
Don't settle for boring home movies. With iMovie, you can transform the videos you shoot into your very own indie flicks. Create a Hollywood-style trailer that'll make your audience laugh, cry, and cheer for more. If you know how to drag and drop, you can make a movie in iMovie. It comes with Apple-designed themes that look fun and professional. Just choose one and iMovie does the rest, adding animated titles and sophisticated transitions automatically. Customize your screen gem further with your own words and audio.
GarageBand
Whether you're musically gifted or mostly curious, GarageBand is the application for you. Plug in your electric guitar or USB music keyboard and get ready to rock with virtual replicas of the most revered amps and stompboxes in the world, as well as over 100 software instruments. Just because you didn't grow up learning your A, B, and C sharp doesn't mean you can't. Basic Lessons teach you just that: the basics. Choose from 40 lessons that cover blues guitar, rock guitar, classical piano, pop piano, and more. Or get a private lesson from one of your musical heroes, like Sting or Death Cab for Cutie, with Artist Lessons.1 GarageBand even tells you how well you're playing in real time with a feature called "How Did I Play?"
Mac App Store
Just like shopping the App Store on iPad, the Mac App Store offers endless possibilities to browse and purchase apps. Apps install in one step right to Launchpad. And the Mac App Store lets you know when app updates are available, so you always have the latest versions.
Safari
Designed with the Mac in mind, Safari emphasizes browsing, not the browser. In full-screen view, the browser frame is only a pixel wide, and you can hide almost the entire interface if you choose. So there's nothing to distract you from an article, video, or photo album. Navigating web pages is easy with trackpad gestures -- flip through web pages with a swipe, and double tap or pinch the trackpad to zoom in on text or images. Safari also features Reader, which lets you peruse articles sans annoying ads. Or save articles for later with Reading List. And since pages render fast in Safari, you won't miss a minute of the web.
Mail
Mail makes it easy to manage all your e-mail from a single, ad-free inbox. It features powerful search capabilities, with search suggestions and tokens built in. It works with most e-mail standards -- including POP3 and IMAP -- and popular e-mail services such as Gmail, Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, Cox, Yahoo! Mail, and AOL Mail. Mail supports Microsoft Exchange 2010, too. If you have more than one e-mail account, no problem. Add your accounts to Mail and you'll be able to access all your e-mail from one place.
And Mail looks as great as it works. It makes full use of your display with a gorgeous widescreen view featuring a full-height message and a message list that includes snippets. With Conversations, messages from the same thread appear in an elegant timeline showing each communication as it was sent while hiding redundant text.
And Mail looks as great as it works. It makes full use of your display with a gorgeous widescreen view featuring a full-height message and a message list that includes snippets. With Conversations, messages from the same thread appear in an elegant timeline showing each communication as it was sent while hiding redundant text.
iCal
Keep track of your busy schedule and share it with others using iCal. Create separate calendars -- one for home, another for school, a third for work, and so on. See all your calendars in a single window or choose to see only the calendars you want. iCal lets you create invitations using contact information from your Address Book, update your guest list, keep track of responses, and receive the latest status information. When you or another Mac user receives an iCal invitation via Mail, it's automatically added. iCal works with Yahoo! and Google calendars too, and syncs to iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, so you'll always be up to date on all your devices.
Address Book
With Address Book you have a flexible and convenient place to store contact information for everyone you know. You can import names, numbers, addresses, and photos from other applications, create smart groups for clubs, activities, and business purposes, print address labels and envelopes, and more. It syncs to iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch so there's no need for duplication. And since Address Book is built on vCard, an industry standard for storing contact information, your friends can send you cards that you can add simply by dropping them in -- no typing required.
Time Machine
Time Machine works with your Mac and an external hard drive or Time Capsule. Connect the drive, assign it to Time Machine, and start enjoying some peace of mind. Time Machine automatically backs up your entire Mac, including system files, applications, accounts, preferences, music, photos, movies, and documents. But what makes Time Machine different from other backup applications is that it not only keeps a spare copy of every file, it remembers how your system looked on any given day -- so you can revisit your Mac as it appeared in the past.
FaceTime
FaceTime for Mac makes it possible to talk, smile, and laugh with anyone on an iPad 2, iPhone 4, iPod touch, or another Mac from your Mac. So you can catch up, hang out, joke around, and stay in touch with just a click. And when someone tries to reach you, the call rings through on every Mac you own, even if FaceTime isn't running. So you never have to worry about making yourself available. If you don't want to receive calls, just turn FaceTime off in preferences. FaceTime is integrated with your Address Book so you can initiate chats easily.
Photo Booth
Take photo snapshots and video clips with your Mac using Photo Booth. Send them to your friends, use one as an iChat icon, add them to your Address Book, or organize and edit them in iPhoto. The real fun starts when you use the effects and backdrops in Photo Booth. Snap a photo of yourself at the Eiffel Tower or in outer space. Choose from nine effects that use facial tracking technology so effects look great whether you're front and center -- or left of center. Snap single photos or shoot multiples in a four-photo burst. You can even shoot video clips, complete with effects, then trim them right in Photo Booth and send them to friends and family. And since Photo Booth can be viewed full screen, you'll enjoy every detail down to the last pixel.
The Mac Experience
Every Day Use
Every Mac is designed to make your life easier, not more difficult. The system ships with Mac OS X Server, which gives you all the tools you need for e-mail, personal organization, Internet browsing, watching movies, and more. Its software and hardware are designed work to together seamlessly, eliminating the compatibility nightmares that often plague PC users. What's more, the Mac mini can run Windows via Boot Camp, perfect for users who have a Windows-only application that they absolutely need to use.
iLife '11
The included iLife '11 suite is a suite of applications that help you organize your digital life. It includes iPhoto for photo management and editing, iMovie for HD video editing, iDVD to burn your movies to disc, GarageBand for music production, and iWeb for web publishing.
Secure and Reliable
Worried about viruses and malware? Don't be. The Mac mini isn't plagued by constant attacks from the outside world. It is designed to be secure out of the box, eliminating the need for additional software to protect your system from danger. OS X will warn you if a downloaded file is potentially dangerous, ensuring that you don't accidentally open a malicious application. Apple responds quickly to any security threats, prompting you to download updates that keep your Mac up to date and safe.
Advanced Technology, Standard
Powered by an Intel quad-core CPU, the Mac mini is fully loaded with 3D graphics, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. You'll find features on this system that are foreign to the PC world. A powerful 64-bit operating system built on a UNIX foundation, Mac OS X Server, is pre-installed on the system.
Environmentally Friendly Design
Apple understands that the Earth is our most precious resource. They've worked to create a computer that is energy efficient, free of many toxins, and highly recyclable. Because Apple designs both hardware and software, the Mac mini is able to use a highly efficient power supply that reduces wasted power. The computer is free of mercury and arsenic, and its internal components are free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). When the computer reaches the end of its long life, you can rest assured that it can be recycled. It is constructed from materials that are highly desirable to recyclers. The Mac mini has been awarded EPEAT Gold status for responsible manufacture, energy efficiency, and recyclability.
Tech Support
Have a problem with your Mac? Get support and advice at the Genius Bar, located at every Apple Retail Store. Apple also provides online tutorials, troubleshooting forums, and 90 days of phone support for users who aren't able to make it to an Apple store.
Optional AppleCare
Apple provides 90 days of free phone support and a 1-year limited hardware warranty on the computer. You can opt to add an AppleCare Protection Plan, at additional cost, which covers support and repairs for 3 years from the date of purchase. AppleCare can be purchased at any time within the first year of ownership of the computer.