Contents
Why use a Mac mini as a server?
When it comes to using the Mac Mini as a server for file sharing, remote desktop access, backups, and media streaming, it can definitely hold its own. Devices designed to be servers might ultimately be more powerful and better for groups of people all accessing files at once.
What can I do with an old Mac mini server?
Unless you want to turn it into a home decor item, you could use at least these 7 creative ways to turn it into something new.
- Install Linux on your old Mac.
- Make your old Apple laptop a Chromebook.
- Make a network-attached system out of your old Mac.
- Create an emergency Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Sell or recycle your old Mac.
Can I use Mac mini server as a desktop?
It’s perfectly ok to use the server as a desktop computer. In fact, I’m sure the quad core processor will benefit you more than the dual core model.
What can you do with a Mac server?
macOS Server lets you set up and manage multiple Mac computers and iOS devices, right from your Mac. And it’s so simple to use, you don’t need an IT department.
Can a Mac mini be used as an iPhoto server?
You keep the Mac mini on as a photo server and this Mac becomes the “master” library where you will download your different photos coming from point-and-shoot and SLR cameras. The only caveat I see is when you have iPhones, because iPhones sync their picture libraries with iPhoto after each iTunes sync.
Can you run iPhoto on a home computer?
Simply running iPhoto and iTunes on a designated home computer is the best idea that I can think of but it requires that you ‘move’ items off of your laptop and on to the server on a regular basis.
How to use a Mac mini as a home server?
(Tangent: a really budget alternative would be to go for a A1283 2009 Mac mini (the last of the generation with plastic on the top of the housing), use a patched version of macOS (see compatibility here ), put 8Gb of RAM in it, and replace the DVD drive with a SSD in a caddy. But that still only has USB 2…)
What kind of RAM does a Mac mini have?
That then leads me to the late 2012 A1347 Mac minis that exist in three versions – core i5 2.5GHz, core i7 2.3GHz and core i7 2.6GHz. These are the first Mac Minis to have USB 3, have no optical drive, have upgradeable RAM (2 slots for 1600MHz SO-DIMMs, so 2 x 8Gb max), and space for 2 2.5″ hard disks.