Apple Mac Mini 2.53GHz Intel C2D w/ SL Server $699 at B&H Photo Video

Mac Mini Server,,, isn't that like saying Jumbo Shrimp or Government intelligence or #2 m0m and classy

I'm not offended by the m0m reference. I was born in a test tube and therefore don't have the maternal/paternal bond that you were hoping to target.

Now to my real point:

With the influx of iOS devices and the popularity of non-iTunes based apps (b2b and such), there is a market for device like this to marshal devices that rely on Apples Push Notifications and such. An inexpensive, native OSX solution comes handy in implementing this, and all development tools can reside there.

I saw this first hand at a high end beauty salon (the kind that number #1's m0m could not afford) that handed out iPads to guests. The iPad users used the salon's app to read digital print, listen to music/watch videos, purchase items and fill out surveys, etc...

The back-end solution was...drum roll....an Apple Mac Mini Server. Sure, it could've been a 12-Core Opteron Linux box or dual Quad Window Server box with RAID 14, but it wasn't.

Interesting piece of info here, Mac OS X Server on it's on is $500 from Apple.

Read the description on Snow Leopard Server under the BnH URL above. Very interesting....

Big Server in a Tiny Package

What is Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server?
Exactly what you'd expect -- a Mac mini specifically designed to be a server with Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server preinstalled. Instead of a SuperDrive, there are two 500GB hard drives that give you all the power and storage you need to help your group work more efficiently than ever

What Can It Do for You?
Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server is designed to help you communicate, collaborate, and share information. It's perfect for any small business or group -- retail shops, doctor and law offices, classrooms, design studios -- you name it. Now you can have your own server that supports email on Mac computers, PCs, and iPhone. Sync and share calendars and contact information. Access and swap files securely, and at lightning speed, between Mac computers and PCs. Easily create full-featured wikis and high-quality podcasts. And automatically back up all your important data

Add as Many People as You Want
Mac mini with Snow Leopard 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 costs. 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