Mac Mini or Epia?

FishFluff · 31 Mar 2006 at 13:00

I'm currently wanting to put together a tiny little box that's going to run Apache/MySQL/PHP and act as a test server for the odd bit of development work I do. I was going to put together an Epia based box but then I had a look at the prices of the old G4 Mac Mini on everyones favourite auction site.

Does anyone have any experience of using one as a test server? I could get the 1.4ghz G4/512mb/80Gb model with built in wifi for about £350. A similar Epia based build would cost about £400. Having it run OS X isn't an issue as it will happily run all the server apps I need.

Anyone got any opinions?

scott.holmes · 31 Mar 2006 at 13:35

Well i have used Epia for years now all different motherboards and OSs and they are great little machines. They are quite expensive to build but you get the ability to be able to run MS and Linux OSs on them, plus there are loads of support available and addons.

I have now just bought a Mac Mini as well, ive not used it as a server more of a way to get into Macs.

My choice would be Epia for a server, more people do it this way and there are just more options open to you. Macs do however, keep their value so resale is better for a Mac.

Tuff choice, but Epia is my choice.

Arc · 2 Apr 2006 at 17:15

I'd probably go with the Mac Mini.

In simple CPU horsepower terms it will leave an Epia for dead. I've got a fair bit of experience with Epia's and tbh whilst they are nice little machines there are certain situations in which they struggle. My current one has a rather annoying DMA issue (plagues most of them).

scott.holmes · 2 Apr 2006 at 17:48

For sure he is correct with the CPU Power issue, of that size the Mac Mini would blow anything out of the water really

Only thing that holds me back from choosing it over the Epia, is that you have to learn a whole new OS with OS X. And ok, its a GREAT OS and it doesnt take that much to pick up, Epia's are just easier and more supported it seems

Si MPS · 3 Apr 2006 at 17:50

Isn't there PPC versions of linux you could use on it?

scott.holmes · 3 Apr 2006 at 19:33

On a Mac, is that possible?

/me Is interested...

Si MPS · 3 Apr 2006 at 20:01

http://releases.ubuntu.com/5.10/ubuntu-5.10-install-powerpc.iso

scott.holmes · 3 Apr 2006 at 20:02

Oh i am so going to try that tomorrow, ty

FishFluff · 3 Apr 2006 at 21:26

scott.holmes said:
On a Mac, is that possible?

/me Is interested...

You can put linux on them, but since OS X is basically BSD with a fancy gui, it uses most of the same commands anyway.

gib786 · 3 Apr 2006 at 21:41

is it possible to put xp on a mac mini? need to make a tiny comp for bro in a box thats 10 inches long, 6 inches deep and 9 inches wide so thinkin of just bungin a mac inside the box, but he hates everything apple (kinda like me) so dunno if i should go the epia or mac mini route

ajgoodfellow · 3 Apr 2006 at 21:51

Officially no

On a PPC powered Mac Mini, forget it

On an Intel Mac Mini people have managed

The Mac OS is superior though