Over the past few years, we have deployed the Mac mini as a server for several of our small business clients, all of whom have been happy with its performance.  Since Apple released the new Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server back in October, some of our clients have been considering upgrading.

Our tech Gene sent me this very thorough review of the Mac mini Server that was published by MacInTouch last week.  The review runs through the history of the Mac mini and OS X Server and gives a very good overview of the features.

Many fixes are included in the Snow Leopard 10.6.2 update, among them a fix for the “Guest Account” bug that was deleting user files.  Users can find the full list and update information on Apple’s website.

Be sure to back up your system before you install the 10.6.2 update.  Tips on backing up your Mac to an external hard drive can be found here.

And bad news for the hackintosh fans: 10.6.2 breaks Intel Atom-based netbooks that have been hacked to run Mac OS X.

The Safari 4.0.4 update addresses “performance, stability, and security.”  Click here to get Apple’s full list of security flaws addressed in this update.

For our users who just purchased the latest iMac, which comes with the super sleek Magic Mouse, and for those of you who may have just purchased the Magic Mouse alone, there are software updates available.  The only information that Apple has provided about the updates is that you should install the software to “take advantage of your Magic Mouse special features.”

Magic Mouse Update – Leopard

Magic Mouse Update – Snow Leopard

If your printer drivers were not included with the Snow Leopard OS installer, you probably need to install Rosetta.

Apple has a straightforward support document in its Mac OS X 10.6 Help section here.

Yesterday Apple released the Mac OS X v10.6.1 update for Snow Leopard users.  Users can get the update by going to the Apple menu and selecting Software Update.

This update includes the following fixes:

• Improves compatibility with some Sierra Wireless 3G modems
• Addresses an issue in which some printer compatibility drivers might not appear properly in the Add Printer browser
• Addresses an issue that might cause DVD playback to stop unexpectedly
• Addresses an issue that might make it difficult to remove an item from the Dock
• Resolves an issue in which the Command-Option-T keyboard shortcut would sometimes bring up the special characters menu in applications such as Mail and TextEdit
• Addresses instances in which auto account setup in Mail might not work
• Resolves issues when sending mail with certain SMTP servers
• Addresses an issue in which Motion 4 could become unresponsive
• Includes an update to Adobe Flash Player plug-in version 10.0.32.18

By popular request, we put forth here a brief list of informational guides and reviews of Snow Leopard that have been published by various tech sites:

Ars Technica’s thorough review of Snow Leopard

Apple’s list of software that is incompatible with Snow Leopard

Apple’s support document on printing and adding printers in Snow Leopard

Macworld’s guide to installing Snow Leopard*

*NOTA BENE: We always recommend that our clients check in with us before installing ANYTHING.  For all other Mac users out there who are itching to install Snow Leopard, please make sure you backup your machine before installing!

Macrumors, the New York Times and others reported yesterday that the Mac Box Set version of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard was available on the Apple Store website yesterday.  The listing apparently noted the box set as shipping within 24 hours, but is now no longer available on the Apple Store site.

This siting has fueled speculation that the release of Snow Leopard could come as early as August 28, instead of the September launch that was announced earlier this summer.

Lots of exciting news announced at the 2009 WWDC today!  Some of the biggest highlights from the conference:

iPhone News

• New iPhone 3GS will be available on June 19th.  Only major improvements seem to be better battery life and faster processor.  Our techs were wishing for 802.11n on the new iPhone, but alas, no.
• A more affordable iPhone!  The current 8GB iPhone 3G is now $99!
• iPhone OS 3.0 will be available free to all iPhone users on June 17th.  Has several new features and improvements on existing features.
• Incredibly useful service “Find My iPhone” will be available to MobileMe customers.  Users can login to MobileMe from any browser and locate their iPhone on a Google Map.  Great theft deterrent!
• Lost or stolen iPhones can be wiped clean of all data with a remote command.  If the iPhone is found, the data can be restored from a backup.

Apple Notebook News

• MacBook Air is reduced in price and given faster processors.  The new 1.86GHz is now $1,499 and the new 2.13GHz is $1,799.
• The 13″ aluminum MacBook is now part of the MacBook Pro line.  It now has a FireWire 800 port AND an SD card slot.  The new 15″ MacBook Pro also has the SD card slot, but the 17″ MacBook Pro is keeping the ExpressCard/34 slot.
• Prices on the entry level MacBook Pro models have been reduced by $300!

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard News

• Among the improvements and additions, Snow Leopard will have faster Time Machine backups, better iChat and Microsoft Exchange server support.
• Snow Leopard will launch at some point in September and will be reasonably priced at $29 for current OS X 10.5 Leopard users.  The regular price for Snow Leopard will be $129.
• Mac OS X Server Snow Leopard is also scheduled for release in September and will be $499 for an unlimited license.  It appears there will be no 10 user license option anymore.

Safari News

• Safari 4 is no longer in beta!  Download the fastest browser from Apple’s site today!

For additional information or if you want to view Apple’s WWDC 2009 Keynote Address, click here.