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Apple's Mac Mini server compared with other Mini PC servers
Brandon Davenport
Compared to other small form factor PC servers, the Mac mini server supplies a far more powerful processor than the low-powered Atom or Celeron found in many mini computers such as the $350 Asus Eee Box. The Asus Eee Box also has slower DDR2 RAM, lacks the Mac mini's FireWire 800 for fast external expansion, and hard drives top out at just 180 GB.
Also, you'll have to spend at least $460 on Amazon's "Microsoft Small Business Server Standard 2003 R2 32-bit for System Builders," which includes just a five user license. They have to be purchased in blocks of five for $150. The Mac Mini server has Unlimited users.
In comparison, the version of Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server bundled on the Mac mini is the same as you'd get at retail or on an Xserve. Like Microsoft's Small Business Server package, Snow Leopard Server bundles both core server features (DNS, DHCP, directory services, and file and print sharing services with support for Macs, Windows, and other Unix/Linux clients); calendar, chat and email services (with mobile push messaging and calendaring support); web and web-based wiki, blog, and calendar collaboration features; routing, firewall, RADIUS, and VPN services; and client machine backups, software update, and group policy management features.
Also the price difference is very noticeable, and that makes the Mac Mini server a no-brainer for small buisnesses, and other establishments who need to share, publish and communicate with all the power of a full blown server, the size of a double Big-Mac.
[Read more over at AppleInsider]
