With this scenario you would have legitimate copies of each OS, so you can ostensibly install 3 copies of the server, one of each version.

If you had to purchase a new copy of each of these that would be $1500 minimum or $499 per copy. Let’s say Snow Leopard is out in February 2009 for example and given a 12 month ‘refresh’ cycle from Apple, 10.7 would be out in approximately January 2010, and let’s say 10.8 is out in January of 2011 and 10.9 in February of 2012. This is probably the best investment you could make. The idea is that if you purchase this you will receive any version of OS X Server that comes out for 36 months after activation of the Apple Maintenance Program. This costs the same as the server itself. However, there is an add-on that Apple does sell call ‘Apple Maintenance Program’. You can stay on the version you have without upgrading. This is a viable option or small companies who want to use Macs and have less than 10 clients, but then expand.Īpple seems to come out with a new version of OS X every 12 to 18 months, do I have to keep buying new versions. No, you can upgrade to the unlimited-client version for $499 US. If I buy the 10-client version am I stuck with it? The only difference is whether you want to share files or not, that’s where the limitation comes in.įor OS X Server the 10-client license is $499 US retail, while the unlimited client is only $999 US. In other words if you intend to use OS X Server as a webserver you can get either version, it will not be any different. The client-access limit is only for file-sharing, nothing else. There is the 10-client license and the Unlimited license.

Now, there are two different licenses for OS X Server. OS X Server, much like client, only comes in one flavor Ultimate. How many different versions of OS X Server are there and what’s the difference between them? Below are some questions that I asked myself when looking into OS X Server. Apple is prepping their release of 10.6 so I thought I would let those who might be interested in buying OS X Server what they are in for, and some things to pay attention to while debating your purchase.

Apple mac server