RackMac mini Xserver - 1U Shell for Mac mini Servers with Thunderbolt

Apple not only discontinued its Xserve line of server computers, they’re also reluctant to introduce some sort of accessory that would allow server Mac minis to become full-dunction metadata controllers. Sonnet, however, is happy to do it.

A company dealing with local storage solutions for professional users of Macintosh, Windows, and UNIX-baseed systems in the film, video, and broadcast industries, Sonnet Technologies is pleased to introduce the new RackMac mini Xserver.

It enables you to “transform a Mac mini with Thunderbolt technology from a simple server to something much more,” the company says.

CEO Robert Farnsworth himself acknowledges that "With the discontinuation of Apple's Xserve there has been a gap in the market that the Mac mini Server has not been able to address by itself.”

The RackMac mini Xserver hopes to fill that gap.

“We started with a specially designed 1U rack enclosure that securely holds the Mac mini firmly in place, delivers stratic airlfow cooling, and provides a front panel power button and USB port and can automatically power on/off the PCIe Expansion Slot in unison with the Mac mini,” Sonnet explains.

“Then we added a single PCIe 2.0 x4 expansion slot (with 75W power supply and fan) to connect to the Mac mini via its Thunderbolt port, and finished by adding an additional Thunderbolt port for daisy chaining to other Thunderbolt devices,” the company elaborates.

“RackMac mini Xserver expands a Mac mini's potential in a big way,” the company concludes.

Compatibility is ensured with Mac mini (Mid 2011, Thunderbolt); Mac mini (Mid 2010); and Mac mini Server (Mid 2010).

Its dimensions are (WxDxH): 19 x 17.56 x 1.719 in. (48.3 x 44.6 x 4.4 cm).

The RackMac mini Xserver will be launched at the end of November, Sonnet said, with pricing scheduled to be announced in the days leading up to its public release.