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My basic thought here is that it is a solution to a need that doesn't exist. It is at the very best a niche product unless Apple throws some extra software its way.
1) It isn't a home server. It is too expensive. It doesn't have enough storage to do multi-user backups and isn't very expandable beyond adding a USB drive. OS X Server is targeted at administrators, not end users. Windows Home Server, especially HP's newest Mac-compatible models, are far better and far cheaper for this purpose.
2) It isn't an enterprise server. Way to under-spec'd. Not enough drive space. Not enough processing power. In the enterprise I could see it playing minor roles as, say, a development web server, a departmental intranet server, or as a specialized app server for a small number of users, but there are FAR better options (including similarly spec'd Linux boxes for about a third the cost). The #1 draw in this environment would be power consumption, but you can spec boxes with similar power needs for FAR less.
3) It isn't a small business server. Even a Mac-loving small business. It could serve limited use as a file server, but not many files fit in 500GB (assuming mirrored drives) these days. Could serve as an intranet server (even providing some of the other services Apple claims on the site like shared contacts and such)--probably it's best use. But small businesses are MUCH better served by cloud services. No startup or admin costs. Small monthly fees and generally will offer more storage and better services (especially in a mixed OS environment). And even if I want to keep this stuff on site, I'm going to be spending a ton on startup and admin, so why not spend a little more for a "real" server.
4) It isn't a media server.
5) It isn't a NAS.
6) It isn't, well, anything mainstream.
I think this would be a good development server for Mac-only shops. But that may well be the only even semi-mainstream use for the box. That and a niche novelty for the most die-hard Mac fans.
What I WANTED to see for $999 was this:
- Mac Mini with Core i5
- 500 GB drive
- Super Drive ($199 blu-ray option!!!!)
- 4 USB 3.0 ports, 1 F/W 800
- Real HDMI port (mini okay so long as it also includes the audio channel)
- IR Port + Remote (maybe +$49 for remote--it's Apple afterall)
With the following USB 3.0, stackable and daisy chainable accessories (same square aluminum form factor):
- 3.5" Expansion Drive ($99 for 500GB, $199 for 1TB, $299 for 2TB)
- Multi-Stream Cable Card/SDV HD Tuner ($199)
- Media Card Reader / iPod Dock ($99)
Snow Leopard with full-screen software that married AppleTV with DVR capabilities and all the internet TV and Audio you could lick up.
Upgraded AppleTV software to allow them to serve as "extenders" to this box. Lower the price to $199 and add a $299 version with 1080p and a snappier processor.
Basically I wanted a "good" Mini that could be upgraded easily to be the ultimate expandable AppleTV Media System we've all been thinking Apple should be making. THAT would have been innovation. What we got was just "huh?"
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