Mac mini Server or Kerio Mail Server?
Mac Geeks rejoice! Apple has finally released the Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server preinstalled. Our prayers have been answered Or have they?
First, let me say that I love the new Mac mini Server from Apple. With (2) 500 GB hard drives, albeit slower 5400 rpm drives, and what is arguably the easiest Server Platform to setup and use, all for a “Cleveland”. (The president on the old $1000 bill). What’s not to love?
I guess if Snow Leopard Server actually delivered on the hype, then I would love it, but there are few shortcomings that make me want to kick somebody over at Apple. Yes, you can setup your own Snow Leopard Server at home or your small business. It’s not too hard to do if you don’t mind reading a few PDF manuals along the way. I don’t dispute the value of the Mini Server, but will you get what you where hoping for?
For me, it’s all about collaboration. Apple is pushing Snow Leopard Server as a collaborative Hub where your files, email, calendar data and address book can live and be seamlessly synced to your Mac, your iPhone and your PC.
Sounds great, but you might be sad to learn that you’ll still need to connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC to sync contacts since their Address Book Server does not provide over-the-air syncing to the iPhone. Address Book Server also does not allow you to share your contacts with other users on the server. You might also become a bit more sad to find out that your Windows users will need to find, and install a decent “CardDAV” client for their Address Book Server connection. They also will not be able to use their iCal Server calendar without finding and installing a CalDAV calendar client too. Oh, and when you setup Mail and Calendar access on your iPhone, you’ll have to setup those up as separate items. No all-in-one ActiveSync support here. I still don’t understand why Apple has not added a Snow Leopard Server account type for the iPhone yet?
Unified messaging is starting to unravel.
So what would I do? That’s simple. Just install Kerio MailServer, and your done. I would use all of the services in Snow Leopard Server that I could, without Mail, Calendar and Address Book Server. Go ahead and fire up File Sharing, Wiki Pages, Time Machine backups (just for Macs) and make the most of it. But…..
Once you experience the sweet, sweet love that Kerio dishes out, you’ll agree. It actually delivers on ease of use, true collaboration, and cross platform support. Here’s what I see when I look at Apple’s new Mac Mini Server.
Does this add to the cost? Yes it does. But it delivers. You are saving so much cash on a decent mini server with an unlimited version of Apple’s flagship server OS, that I think you can afford to invest in your small business just a little.
So if the question is “Mac mini Server or Kerio Mail Server?” I’ll take both.
