Apple Mac Mini MC936LL/A with Lion Server (OLD VERSION)

by Apple

• 2.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
• 4GB SDRAM RAM
• Dual 500GB 7200RPM Hard Drives
• Intel HD Graphics 3000
• Mac OS X Lion

Product Description

Amazon.com

The Mac mini with Lion Server is even more of a powerhouse, thanks to a new quad-core Intel Core i7 processor and ultrafast Thunderbolt technology. It also comes with OS X Lion, the world's most advanced desktop operating system. And Mac mini with Lion Server now features a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor for incredible performance. But it's as easy as ever to set up and run.

The tiny server that packs a quad-core punch (see larger image).

This version of the Mac mini with Lion Server (model MC936LL/A) features a 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core processor and Intel HD Graphics 3000 integrated graphics as well as 4 GB of RAM (expandable to 8 GB) and dual 500 GB hard drives (see full specifications below). It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X Lion Server operating system.

OS X Lion Server

This Mac mini comes with OS X Lion Server, the latest release of the world's most advanced desktop operating system. With over 250 features including Multi-Touch gestures, Mission Control, full-screen apps, and Launchpad, OS X Lion Server takes the Mac further than ever.

 

Key OS X Lion Server Features

• Mission Control provides a bird's-eye view of everything running on your Mac.
• Launchpad puts all your apps front and center for easy access.
• View apps full screen and switch between them with a swipe.
• Interact with your Mac using intuitive new Multi-Touch gestures.
• Ideal for any small business or group--retail shops, medical and law offices, classrooms, design studios, and more.

Key Features

Serve It Up

The Mac mini with Lion Server is a great choice for sharing files, calendars, and e-mail amongst users in a workgroup or small business--whether it be on a Mac, an iPad, or an iPhone. It offers two 500 GB hard drives (for a 1 TB total), providing a wealth of storage for active files as well as backing up all your important data using Time Machine. And Lion Server is easy enough to run even by people who have never thought of running server software before.

Small Footprint, Excellent Versatility

The Mac mini with Lion Server features a precisely constructed unibody enclosure that even houses its own integrated power supply into the 7.7-inch square aluminum enclosure (that's also 1.4 inches thin)--eliminating the need for an external power brick. Additionally, the Mac mini helps contain your environmental footprint with a 10 watt power consumption.

Despite its smaller size, the Mac mini with Lion Server offers a full range of ports for connecting to your existing peripherals--from keyboards and mice to external hard drives and displays (via the Thunderbolt and HDMI ports). And when you're ready to add more memory, the Mac mini's bottom removable panel makes the upgrade process a breeze.

 

Just add your own display, keyboard, and mouse--such as the Apple Thunderbolt Display, Wireless Keyboard, and Magic Mouse (not included; view larger).

 

A full range of ports, including Thunderbolt and HDMI plus an SDXC card slot (view larger).

Revolutionary Thunderbolt Technology

Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O (input/output) technology delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second of transfer speeds in both directions. Built into the Mac mini with Lion Server, the Thunderbolt port allows you to connect to new Thunderbolt-compatible peripherals as well as existing USB and FireWire peripherals using simple adapters. You'll be able to move data up to 20 times faster than with USB 2.0 and more than 12 times faster than with FireWire 800, and you can daisy-chain up to six high-speed devices without using a hub. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI, and VGA displays.

Key Specifications

• 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core processor (6 MB on-chip shared L3 cache) helps you breeze through everyday tasks such as emailing, web browsing, and working with documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in iWork or Microsoft Office for Mac (both sold separately).
• Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor (with 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory) for an outstanding everyday graphics experience.
• Dual 500 GB hard drives (7200 RPM)
• 4 GB installed RAM (1333 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
• Wireless-N Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
• Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000BASE-T)
• Bluetooth 4.0 technology for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and cell phones.
• Four USB 2.0 ports
• One FireWire 800 port
• Thunderbolt port with support for up to 2560 x 1600-pixel resolution (compatible with Mini DisplayPort devices)
• HDMI audio/video output with support for up to 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution and multichannel audio output (included adapter for DVI output).
• Combined optical digital output/headphone output (also includes line-in/microphone jack)
• Secure Digital memory card slot compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC media
• Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: 2.7 pounds

What's in the Box

Mac mini with Lion Server; power cord; HDMI to DVI Adapter; printed and electronic documentation

Note: The Mac mini does not come with an optical drive, however OS X Lion offers the convenient DVD or CD Sharing feature, which lets you wirelessly "borrow" the optical drive of a nearby Mac or PC. So you can install applications from a DVD or CD and have full access to an optical drive without having to carry one around. Additionally, you can connect an optional optical drive (such as the MacBook Air SuperDrive) via one of the USB ports.

Included Software

• OS X Lion
  Includes Mail, Address Book, iCal, the Mac App Store, iTunes, Safari, Time Machine, FaceTime, Photo Booth, Mission Control, Launchpad, AirDrop, Resume, Auto Save, Versions, Quick Look, Spotlight, QuickTime, and more.
• Lion Recovery
  OS X Lion includes a built-in set of tools for repairing your Mac in the Recovery HD, a new feature that lets you repair disks or reinstall OS X Lion without a physical disc.

Limited Warranty And Service

The Mac mini comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a 1-year limited warranty, which can be extended to 3 years with the AppleCare Protection Plan.

AppleCare Protection Plan

Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call. Extend the complimentary service and support on your Mac to 3 years from the original Mac purchase date with the AppleCare Protection Plan. You get direct telephone access to Apple experts for technical questions, and you get global repair coverage--including both parts and labor--for your Mac and select Apple peripherals.

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Optional Accessories and Related Products

	Apple Thunderbolt Display The world's first Thunderbolt display doesn't just give you more pixels. It gives you more possibilities. Built-in Thunderbolt technology lets you connect as many as six devices through a single port and transfer data up to 20 times faster than with USB 2.0.
	Time Capsule Time Capsule is the revolutionary backup device that works wirelessly with Time Machine in OS X Leopard or later. It automatically backs up everything, so you never have to worry about losing important files. It also doubles as a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station. Choose from 2 TB and 3 TB models.
	AirPort Extreme Base Station Speed, range, and easy setup make AirPort Extreme the perfect wireless solution for home, school, and small business. It offers simultaneous dual-band support and lets up to 50 people share Internet access, a wireless network, a hard drive, and a printer.
	AirPort Express Base Station AirPort Express is powerful enough to run a home Wi-Fi network for up to 10 people, yet small enough to take on the road. It also lets you stream music from your iTunes library through your stereo or powered speakers using AirPlay.
	Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive If you want to burn discs or install software you already own on disc, consider the external USB-based MacBook Air SuperDrive. It takes up very little space and easily connects to Mac mini with a single USB cable--there's no separate power adapter.
	Apple Wireless Keyboard Incredibly thin and streamlined, the Apple Wireless Keyboard lets you type on your desk, on your lap, or anywhere within range. Wherever you put it, the keyboard will take up minimal space. Just like your Mac mini.
	Apple Magic Trackpad Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer, and it supports a full set of gestures. Click, scroll, swipe, and rotate to control what's onscreen. Use it along with your mouse or as an alternative to one.
	Apple Magic Mouse Magic Mouse is unlike any other mouse you've ever used. The Multi-Touch surface lets you use gestures to swipe through photos and scroll down web pages. And the entire mouse is the button, so you can click anywhere.
	Apple Remote Control your Mac mini from afar with the sleek aluminum Apple Remote. Play, pause, adjust volume, move forward and back, and access menus while playing music and video.

Product Description

Mac mini is a good choice for those who need a compact, powerful Computer but already own the essentials - like a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Mac mini features a sleek, aluminum design and includes ports and slots to connect to all your devices and networks. Mac mini is the world's most energy-efficient Desktop computer, and it's the most affordable way to enjoy the new Mac OS X Lion Server and iLife.

Mac mini features a 1.4-inch-thin seamless unibody enclosure carved from a single, solid block of aluminum. The power supply is built right into Mac mini. So there's no bulky brick, and there are fewer cables to connect. A removable panel on the bottom makes upgrading the memory completely painless. Mac mini is full of big ideas.

The latest dual-core Intel Core i7 processor comes standard on Mac mini. Built-in Thunderbolt technology lets you daisy-chain up to six Thunderbolt peripherals, including the new Apple Thunderbolt Display, to a single port. It also supports Mini DisplayPort peripherals you might already have, including the Apple LED Cinema Display. The HDMI port lets you connect Mac mini to your HDTV with a single cable. And a built-in SDXC card slot makes speedy work of transferring photos and videos from your digital cameras. The latest 802.11n wireless technology is built into every Mac mini. Bluetooth wireless technology is also built in, so you can connect accessories such as a wireless keyboard and mouse. Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet Audio - Built-in speaker, Audio line in minijack (digital/analog), Audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog), HDMI port supports multichannel audio output, Support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone Connections & Expansion - 4 x USB 2.0, FireWire 800, Th

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 76 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb, Unique Macintosh and mini! November 5, 2011

By Steve H TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Amazon Verified Purchase

My primary desktop, iMac, was a few months over four years old. It began to feel a bit slow with the latest operating system, programs, etc. Therefore, I decided it was time for a new Mac. Despite great notebooks, iPhones, and iPads that we all have today, my desktop computer is still what feels most "right," to me. It's my favorite place to discover music, work on photographs, maybe do a little video work, write, email, browse the web, etc. A comfortable chair, large screen, and fast desktop just feels "right."

How did my search for a new Mac lead to mini Server and what makes it a good choice?

Naturally, coming from an iMac, I considered a new iMac. However, having purchased the newer iMacs for other uses and family members in the past two years, I regularly saw issues with their displays. Yellow tint to certain parts of the display. Furthermore, besides RAM, iMacs are extremely hard to upgrade. The hard drive is very difficult to get to, which makes upgrade and even repair, once out of warranty difficult. Furthermore, it is hard to take an iMac to an Apple Store, even while under warranty, due to their large size. A mini can easily be taken to an Apple store, or better yet, Apple I believe (if I am not mistaken) offers mail-in service for the mini, if you're in the middle of nowhere. I would still purchase an iMac in the future, but it just felt like a lot of things were adding up against it this time. I might want a SSD at some point too, and it would be "risky," to do that myself on a still warrantied iMac. iMacs don't come stock with two hard drives for RAID options either.

Therefore, I knew the Mac mini might be a good choice and the Server model was especially inviting! Why? For one thing, the mini Server Mid-2011 has a faster processor than the lower entry-level iMacs. Yes, it an i7 Quad Core 2.0 GHZ. While all iMacs are now quad-core, the lower end models have i5s, which get Geekbench scores somewhat lower than this mini Server. The mini-Server had the same CPU as the seventeen-hundred dollar 15-inch MacBook pro from early 2011, though the MacBook Pro did get a slight processor bump in late 2011. Nevertheless, you can see, the mini Server, for its size, gets an extremely impressive processor. Geekbench scores put it right at, or even slightly faster than the entry level mid-2010 Mac Pro desktop, now that is saying something! The speed of a machine which costs 2.5x more money!

Second, two hard drives. 1TB of storage in a mini is nothing to laugh about (2 500 GB drives are included). Furthermore, the key here is that the mini Server gets 7200 RPM hard drives, the same speed found in full-sized desktop computers. The two lower end mini models have only 5400 RPM drives, significantly slower and makes them feel more like "notebooks." Furthermore, by having two hard drives, you have many options. You can use one for time machine, just use both drives for storage, or even put them in RAID 0 or RAID 1 with disk utility when booted into a recovery disk. There are some risks in using RAID, but if you're a pro user, you will know the risks (higher possibility of losing your data in RAID 0), and you lose Apple's new Recovery HD which isn't compatible with RAID. I went ahead and used RAID 0 because this gives me much faster disk reading and writing. More performance, more reason to choose mini Server.

The lack of Apple including any restore disks or USB stick on new Macs is frustrating. I recommend reading some online tutorials on backing up your system, backing up your recovery HD, or even backing up an entire recovery install for easy reinstallation should you ever need it.

Next, memory. The mini Server has 4GB of RAM which is fine for many home users. However, those who do a lot of photography and video work, may want to upgrade it to 8GB. These minis make RAM upgrades simple. A panel rotates on the bottom and allows easy access to the memory, if not access to much else. I upgraded to 8GB, and it is a noticeable improvement. This was less than a fifty dollar upgrade to do myself, and again, offers me more performance and multitasking.

Software: The mini Server has Mac OS X Lion Server included, which is essentially the same consumer version of OS X Lion with the extra "Server," application included. This application can allow you to use the mini Server as a more professional "server." You could serve up iCal calendars to people in your home or office, serve local email, etc. However, unless you know you need these features, you'll likely leave the server functions turned off, or just not open that application. It is there though, should you ever need it, or if you do need it now. You can read more about server at Apple's website. Of course, every copy of Lion allows you to share files with other Macs as well as use iTunes to serve music and videos around your home, this is unrelated to the "server," application which has much more professional and specific uses.

Connectivity: HDMI, Thunderbolt, Firewire 800, 4 USB 2.0 Ports, Ethernet, Audio in, Audio out. Plus Wireless N Networking and Bluetooth! I connect two displays, using both the HDMI and Thunderbolt outputs. Apple includes a HDMI to DVI adapter. You might also pick up a mini display port to DVI adapter, if you have an older display and want to use the thunderbolt port to connect to the mini, as the thunderbolt port supports higher resolution displays than the HDMI port.

Of course, Apple includes the iLIfe Applications, which nearly everyone enjoys for photo editing, video editing, music making, etc. with the applications iPhoto, iMovie, and Garageband. iCal, iTunes, Mail App, DVD player, etc. are always found on a Mac too. However, if you want to use the DVD player you will need to purchase either a third-party USB DVD drive (these can be found cheap on Amazon including Amazon's own branded model), or for the sleekest look, get Apple's Superdrive for MacBook Air USB product. Again, don't forget, no minis have a DVD drive built in now, so this is no longer a server model only drawback.

mini Server uses intel integrated graphics which is a drawback over the mid-range mini which has a discreet Graphics Processing Unit. Apple likely feels a "server" model doesn't need a discreet GPU if it was truly being used as a server. Furthermore, if you do not play games on your computer, like myself and many others, the integrated graphics are fine and offer similar performance to last year's NVIDIA integrated graphics.

Some use mini Server as a home theatre PC, but it is probably overkill for that and you might be better off with the low end or mid range model for such a use. I use a mid-2009 mini as my home theatre PC, and it still works great.

I did receive a couple machines with issues at first, one was completely cosmetic though. Amazon put it right fast!

Overall, the mini Server mid-2011 is truly my best Mac ever and certainly the fastest. I have two displays, Firewire hard drives, USB devices, speakers, etc. all plugged into the mini. It feels like a powerful setup with the oh so fast processor, memory, huge hard drives, etc. mini Server serves an unique niche of the Mac market, and it's a favorite among many Mac enthusiasts. This machine would no doubt last me a long time, but I like it so much, I might upgrade the next time an updated version comes out. There are some great Macs I would only give four stars. However, mini Server is so special and unique that I cannot help but give it five stars. It might not be right for everyone, but if it fits your needs, it is truly five stars! It is that cool! Recommended.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Perfect for running Logic December 9, 2011

By Derrick

After 10 years running Logic 5.5 on a PC it was finally time to get a mac.

Well my first Mac Mini would not boot. Turned out to be something with the ram. If I removed 1 stick of ram it would boot. I exchanged it for another and was good to go.

This thing is fast and perfect for music. Running a ton of plugins and the cpu meter barely registers.

2.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Dual 500GB 7200-rpm hard drives
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor
Mac OS X v10.7 Lion

I upgraded the ram to 8GB for just under $40.00 using the Corsair 8GB 1333mhz PC3-10666 204-pin DDR3 SODIMM Laptop Memory Kit CMSO8GX3M2A1333C9.

Best of all there are no heating problems. I did add some rubber feet to the bottom to play it safe: 1" Sorbothane Hemisphere Rubber Bumper Non-skid Feet with Adhesive 50 Durometer - 8-Pack.

No problems with Lion either as all the plugins I have are supported so far.

I use the main hard drive for the os and programs, 2nd hard drive for time capsule, and a Glyph Technologies GT062E 2TB Dual RAID and Spanning Hard Drive Array with FireWire 800, USB 2.0 and eSATA Interfaces for all the music files.

I added a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI TV Monitor Adapter for Macbook for the 2nd monitor.

I was using a Apogee ONE USB Interface with Microphone and was really disappointed in the sound. I was getting a ton of hiss. More than likely it was a defective unit as I keep reading good things. Plus Apogee recommended to return it. Ended up going with a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 Professional 20 In/20 Out Firewire Audio Interface with Eight Pre-Amps. Made more sense since I have 5.1 in the studio.

I am just blown away by Logic. I knew things would be different since the last version I had was 5.5 on the pc. They sure make it easy now.

I ended up getting a used version of Logic 8 plus a used upgrade to 9 all for less than $300.00 total on Amazon.

The hardest part for me was the command control and options keys, plus getting used to a new os. I ended up buying a LogicKeyboard Logic 9 Custom Keyboard and has helped out a ton as it has all the shortcuts for Logic shown on the keyboard.

I hope this helps anyone having the same question that I had: Will the new Mac Mini work for music production?

Yes

Finally a Mac owner.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect upgrade August 8, 2011

By Alan F. Northam

Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this to replace a 2010 model mini (non server version). The first thing I did was to upgrade the ram to 8GB. Next I rebooted into internet recovery mode and configured the disks into a RAID 0 (striped) volume and reinstalled the OS. You should make good backups (Time Machine) if you use RAID 0 in case of a hard drive failure. I have a fast internet connection and the whole process took approximately 40 mins. Note the internet recovery install doesn't install the iLife type applications that came with the factory install but you can install them from the Mac App Store for free after recovery.

The i7 in this unit is a huge jump in performance vs my previous mini with 2.4ghz c2d. Like the previous model, 1080p video content plays perfectly even while running a busy minecraft server in the background. The Intel graphics have given no issues in use as an htpc. The DVD drive in my old mini was used exactly zero times so I don't miss it in the new model.

The only thing I've noticed is that the new model gets warmer than the old. Also I never heard the fans in my old model but occasionally I do hear them in the new one. This might not happen with better air flow, my mini is in an enclosed component stand along with a NAS, cable box, XBOX 360, etc. I wouldn't go so far as to call this an issue or a con, just something you should be aware of if you are accustomed to the old model. It's a reasonable trade off for the increased performance.

UPDATE:

The heat issue on my unit got worse until it caused a complete failure. I took the unit to the Apple store and they repaired it under warranty. However when the time came for me to pick it up, I received a phone call from the store saying that they would have brand new unit waiting for me when I got there. They said the first unit was working and passing all tests but they didn't feel it was operating up to the standard it should be. So as usual Apple customer service went above and beyond and sent me home with a new unit that I've been using for about 7 months now with no further issues.

The temperature readings on this new unit are significantly lower than the first unit but still warmer than the previous generation mini. I still do occasionally hear the fans kick in but only when doing a cpu intensive task that runs longer than approx 30 secs.

A mac mini plus Plex (media server and client application) plus rowmote iphone app makes a great HTPC.