Need a new Mac. Considering Mac Mini.

[skira]

Is there a relevant difference? The quad-core mobile i7 processor in the Mac Mini server has Hyperthreading and Turboboost, and MACWORLD found that a BTO Mac Mini (using a dual-core i7 and not even the quad-core in the Mac Mini server) beat an i7 iMac.

Customized Core i7 Mac mini offers iMac-like performance | Macworld

Intel® Core™ i7-2635QM Processor (6M Cache, up to 2.90 GHz))

I'm not an expert on the numerous variants of Intel processors so I could be off but I really doubt there's an appreciable speed difference between a Mac mini server and an iMac. (Of course with the iMac you get a monitor, Superdrive, videocam, keyboard and mouse [or trackpad.])

[PhilTheBeard]

Mac mini user here using a 2.0ghz quad i7 server and the thing is a little beast. run's cubase 5 and logic 9 just fine. still haven't really put it through it paces but I'll be doing that in a week or so.

[phas3d]

The Mac Mini Server is a great machine. The only thing that might be worrying is if you push it too hard for a long time. Such a small enclosure. I don't know how it can handle the heat. Waiting for the new desktop releases might be a good bet IMO. They're just around the corner.

[skira]

You can cool your Mac mini by putting it on a laptop cooling stand ($5-$20) or even simply by elevating it slightly.

[phas3d]

Problem with cooling stands it that they're noisy. That's the last thing you want in a studio.

[Silky Smoove]

I've been propping my MBP up with a couple of books to help it dissipate heat more effectively. It works... Well... It helps, but my laptop is nearly toast, so it can only do so much at this point.

[phas3d]

IMO dissipating heat on a MBP is easier than the Mini. Although as in the Mac Mini the whole enclosure dissipates the heat, you have way more surface that you can put in contact with thermal conducting material. Heat needs to go somewhere. Either by air getting heated by forcing it to impact the heated surface or by transferring it to another surface by contact.

[C//AZM]

Has anybody tried this?
Sonnet - RackMac mini: Mac mini Rack Enclosure for 1U Rack Space

It looks cool and also it looks cool. the other side can store external drives, they even have adapters for that. I will probably order myself one.