There are again rumours that the Mac Mini is dead—which is a pity since it’s something I’d like to see. In fact, it’s something I’d like to buy. In particular, as a “Mac OS X Home Server” machine.

Something like that exists already in the specialised platforms: the AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule and Apple TV. But the things I’d like to do are:

1. •Mail Server (for the family)
   

2. •Squid Cache
   

3. •File Server
   

4. •Time Capsule
   

So, something like a lightweight XServe, with a cut down Mac OS X Server would be fine. But, just being able to run a normal instance of Mac OS X (not server) would also be fine. That leaves the hardware. What I want is something that is small, fairly quiet, has FireWIre to attach multiple external disks and had 802.11n wireless networking. That’s pretty much a Mac Mini, with the exception of the 802.11n.

I could always put together a cheap server and run Linux or FreeBSD or FreeNAS, except that when I spec up a compact form factor PC with equivalent features it comes out significantly more expensive (and that’s using cheap local suppliers).