Anyone using Mac Mini as a home server?

[uller6]

The dongle tricks the mini into thinking there’s a screen attached so you get hardware accelerated video (no lag) and can set non-default (1080p) resolutions. I’m not sure if the 2012 or 2014 minis have the same problems running headless, but having no screen attached makes the 2011 near unusable.

 

[LumbermanSVO]

Mine runs 24/7 as an iTunes/Plex/file server and never misses a beat.

The HDMI port is plugged into my receiver so it always thinks there is something connected. I hacked the silver RAID enclosures so they have eSATA connections instead of USB 3, and I use an Akitio Thunderbolt dock to connect them. SuperDuper! and ARQ handle my regular backups.

 

[raymanster]

My 2012 i7 has been upgraded with 16GB RAM, 240 GB Samsung Evo SSD and I used a new carrier to keep the 1TB drive in there for storage. A few other drives connected via USB for a total of around 10 TB of storage.

It's used for serving media with Plex server, and media collection. I also have Sierra server installed and I've enabled VPN, time machine etc. Not to mention it has Squid installed (proxy software) and Homebridge to make non-homekit devices compatible.

It runs headless on my desk and like others I simply remote in when I need to. Great machines that generally last a long time.

 

[ihonda]

My 2012 i7 has been upgraded with 16GB RAM, 240 GB Samsung Evo SSD and I used a new carrier to keep the 1TB drive in there for storage. A few other drives connected via USB for a total of around 10 TB of storage.

It's used for serving media with Plex server, and media collection. I also have Sierra server installed and I've enabled VPN, time machine etc. Not to mention it has Squid installed (proxy software) and Homebridge to make non-homekit devices compatible.

It runs headless on my desk and like others I simply remote in when I need to. Great machines that generally last a long time.

How hard was the upgrade for 2 drives? I’m very worried about attacking this task myself. Was gonna order the upper bay OWC kit just to have the extra tools because I’m not sure of the location of the internal drive

 

[Boyd01]

How hard was the upgrade for 2 drives? I’m very worried about attacking this task myself.

i use my 2012 quad for video editing and boot into Sierra from a 1tb Samsung T3 external SSD. Not quite as fast as an internal SSD but still very speedy and no risk of damaging anything by opening up the Mini. Just plug it in and you're all set.

 

[raymanster]

How hard was the upgrade for 2 drives? I’m very worried about attacking this task myself. Was gonna order the upper bay OWC kit just to have the extra tools because I’m not sure of the location of the internal drive

I'm no expert but I managed to add the SSD ok. I watched the online OWC video a couple times and just followed the iFixit guide step by step and made sure I didn't rush things. Double check your work against the guide at each step, both at disassembly and re-assembly.

Also make sure you have a way of organising the screws and parts you remove, so a multi compartment tray or a piece of cardboard labeling each step.

That's a good idea to order the OWC kit with the tools if you don't have them already. There is nothing worse then tackling a job without the right tools.

Again make sure you set aside enough time and work in a quiet area.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

I literally just bought one last night for this task, though for different reasons.

I have a 2tb Western Digital that will house my iCloud Photos and iTunes Libraries with a 6tb WD for Time Machine backups and external LG optical for ripping CDs on the way.

My reasons were that I was tired of having Tier 3+ level engineering problems regarding why my iCloud Photos library would not sync to and from my Windows PC. Now, everything gets backed up to the Mac Mini, and the Mac Mini itself gets backed up as well.

I have it plugged in to my Omen monitor via HDMI and just switch between it and my gaming rig.