In continuous service since October 2009.
A two terabyte, 4 disk, Promise Raid controller, virtually silent, hooked through a Firewire 800 cable to a mini server with 1 terabyte built in. Plug it in, turn it on. Visit Disk Utility, minutes later, voila.
3 Terabytes in Minutes
The mini server cannot be taken seriously as a server until it offers expandable storage.
As a server, it also does not use enough electricity, 85 watts max for the server, the RAID array even less. A standard desktop computer can suck down more juice by plugging in the power supply.
"it uses roughly 13% of the power consumed by the average 300 watt power supply in standard computers" that is 39% of the power of a typical 100 watt incandescent light bulb.
Also, something you just plug in, turn on, and it works is simply not suited for real server applications.
Should the day arrive when businesses in Southwest, MO comprehend the digital storage power of a big T followed by a big B, it is simple to daisy chain 6 terabytes at a time at less than $200 per terabyte. This server farm will not soon give up the lead in Southwest, MO storage technology.
Mini Server with Firewire 800 connection to 2Tb RAID
Apple shows no indications of slowing to let competition catch up.
Rather they seem bent on increasing the speed of innovation, while lowering hardware costs.
Manufacturers report orders that would equate to roughly 65 million iPads available in 2011 based upon screen purchases. "DigiTimes, which has good sources in Apple's Asian supply chain, regularly publishes credible reports about Cupertino's production plans. This is not one of them." -- http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/12/29/65-million-ipads-in-2011-not-likely They go on to say that they do believe in the possibility of 45 to 48 million iPads shipping in 2011.
Using articles strictly gleaned from Fortune Apple blog, If Apple wanted to sell 65 million iPads in 2011, how would they do it?
Reduce the Price
iPad already sold direct for $429
Sell them for $399 per. That is in line with what people believe they are worth. If that doesn't keep them flying off shelves, drop the price to $350. http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/12/02/how-much-is-an-ipad-worth
Production costs for iPad estimated at $230. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10451132-1.html Add front and rear facing cameras as per Touch 4G at slight additional cost. Maintain a healthy profit margin on each sale, while competition struggles to gain traction for lack of sufficient volume to obtain similarly favorable component prices and profits.
Remove the Mothership Requirement
Make the iPad stand-alone capable. This needs to happen someday, make it soon. It is not beyond the realm of possibility or even probability. All that is required is some server power. It makes the iPad an infinitely simpler sale to a casual consumer.
The North Carolina facility could take the place of a mothership for iPads, making them stand alone self-sufficient computing devices. http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/10/27/apples-invisible-server-farm/
To maintain some margin, possibility of subscription based ~$5 per month for guaranteed backup storage and similar amenities that were formerly provided by a connection to a local computer system.