Computer Do Over

I'm also partial to Macs, but in all fairness you can get it to work either way.

I'd recommend the iMac over the mini, if you do choose a Mac, because I feel the iMac is the best bang for the buck in the lineup. You don't have to purchase an extra keyboard, etc, as the unit is fully self-contained and it is very low profile but much more powerful than the corresponding priced Macbook pro.

Look at the refurbished Mac's at Apple's website. I've received all of mine refurbished, and they have been indistinguishable from new. The iMac I'm typing on now is 4.5 years old and continues to work great.

Michael

Thanks for all the suggestions....something to think about. We do have a good widescreen monitor and keyboard and mouse from the old setup. Just need to replace the innards.

I have been partial to Macs for years although I run PC for CNC/CAM. Seeing as you already have a monitor and keyboard/mouse, I'd get the mini and load it full of RAM. I run my mini "headless" on an AV system, connecting it to the monitor when needed (rarely). Otherwise I control it either through and iPod touch or via screen sharing (built in) with the iMac I am on now. It is easy and seamless. FWIW, just yesterday a luddite friend of my mine (whom happens to be a respected vacuum tube dealer) commented to me about how much he liked the iMac I talked him into over a PC, and that it had never frozen or crashed in over a year!
Snow Leopard is the current operating system (10.6) that will come with most all new macs being sold. My girlfriend bought a refurbed one, and it has been fine for the 10 mths she has had it.

is there any other choice? mac all the way. for a server, get a mac mini. once you have the system up and running, you don't need a keyboard or monitor. you can use another mac to control the mini. plus, if you have a iphone/ipod touch/or will be getting the ipad, you can control the mini thru the remote app to play itunes (i use my iphone all over the house). plus, you can use the vpn app on the iphone to actually control the mini. it allows you to have the mac screen to start any app or to control the mac to reboot if needed.

get a mini for your server, imac for you desktop.

Please consider the Dell Zino (Insprion 400), it is a better value then the mac mini. I recently got a scratch and dent one for $220 (windows 7, wireless card) and it works great. If you want to go Mac, I second the idea of others that the iMac is the way to go, thinking refurb to get the price down. I am amazed what the little zino can do. Since you have an external hard drive with all your music, you would be set to go.