June is coming to a close, and that can mean only one thing: Lion is about to be uncaged! We all know that OS X Lion will be available in July exclusively from the Mac App Store for a mere $29.99 -- but did you also know Apple will have OS X Lion Server available at the same time as a paid add-on?
While you may be a longtime user of Mac OS X, you may not realize that Apple also allows for the ability to turn just about any Mac into a powerful server. In the past, it was an expensive proposition, with the Snow Leopard edition selling for $499 -- although that was a bargain considering the software allows for an unlimited number of clients.
OS X Lion Server aims to change all of that, allowing home offices, businesses, schools and hobbyists alike the opportunity to upgrade for a mere $49.99 on top of the $29.99 purchase of Lion itself. That means for less than 80 bucks, most any recent Mac can become a full-fledged server -- and here are some worthwhile reasons to shell out the extra dough to do just that.
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
of 10
srswindell
July 01, 2011 at 2:46am
My take is pay twice to go from Snow Client to Lion Client then to Lion Server but only once to go from Snow Server to Lion Server (with free Lion Client which is a pre req for Lion Server).
The Spam filter on these comments sucks.
Aristocat
June 29, 2011 at 9:44am
"Apparently not the server for everyone: The OS X Lion Server, that was supposed to come packaged with Lion, is now a $49.99 upgrade. The added kicker is that it'll require Snow Leopard Server already installed on your machine. If you aren't already using that particular build, it'il be an extra $499 on top of the update fee, bringing the grand total to $550 for Lion Server.
Maybe Apple shouldn't have teased us by saying that Lion Server would be built into Lion.
The new Lion Server will include features like File Sharing for the iPad; iOS push notifications for all user accounts; Wiki, iCal and Mail Server 3; and the core Server app to help you manage it all."
Aristocat
June 29, 2011 at 9:38am
I would be totally surprised if Apple gives Mac OSX Lion Server away for a $49 dollar upgrade fee to OSX Lion.
I paid $499 for Snow Leopard Server.... will I get a some sort of refund?
Will I not need my Snow Server License number to install the upgrade.
MacLife has already released one article that said it was a $49 dollar upgrade to owners of Snow Leopard Server.
Oh well, either way I am covered come July
MacNewton
June 28, 2011 at 6:45pm
Are you ready for it, Apple will have a new Touch iMac introduced sometime in the fall. We all know that Apple has worked hard to have Lion up to speed before it started selling a touch base system. All PC's running windows that are touch based really don't provide the UI that Apple will be able to offer. Once again Apple will show the world how to make stuff that works!
jrbookwalter
June 28, 2011 at 2:26pm
Sorry guys, Snow Leopard Server is not required -- Apple specifically says you need either Snow Leopard OR Snow Leopard Server:
Upgrading your Mac to Lion Server couldn’t be more hassle free — whether you’re running Snow Leopard or Snow Leopard Server.
Taken from Apple's own website, which this goofy comment system won't allow me to link to for some reason. ;-)
JRB
s51kuprel
June 28, 2011 at 12:51pm
Go to the Apple site and see for yourself a requirement for Lion Server is Snow Leopard server, add that cost to the $49.99, unless of course you already have Snow Leopard Server installed.
ilikeimac
June 28, 2011 at 10:55am
I use a Mac as a web server. The site uses PHP and the Apache web server that comes standard with Mac OS X (currently I'm running Snow Leopard non-server edition). Would Mac OS X server improve management of this site in any way? Would it provide, for example, site visitor statistics? Better security?
Aristocat
June 28, 2011 at 10:27am
I am pretty sure that in order to get the 49 Server upgrade you already need to have a licensed copy of Mac Server Snow Leopard.
