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Mac and Windows Server 2012

Hi,

A friend as an all Mac office, and he's looking to get them all onto a network. I don't think they have any plans to introduce PC's anytime soon.

Is Windows Server 2012 a smart option when starting an office network from the ground up? Or do the Mac people do something that's different?
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Cliff Galiher
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Thank you.

What model number of computer would be a good candidate to play the role of server? I know almost nothing about Mac hardware. And are they something you buy on something like Amazon.com or do you have to go into an Apple Store?
Apple also has an online store. A mac mini is fine for a very small business, otherwise a pro model. Like iMac, plan on spending more than you would for a comparable non-Mac.
If all they want to do is share files, would something like a Synology NAS box on a vanilla gigabit switch do the job?
I suppose that depends. Different NAs vendors have different features, even between different models. How a user connects to a share, how seamless it is, how well it performs.... all are factors. Much like running a windows server, you can usually get it to work, so that is technically "doing the job" ...but if the experience is so frustrating that users complain, was it worth saving the money? Each environment is different with users of different skill levels. YMMV.
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Thank you, one and all.