Snow Leopard Server

We're living on borrowed time with our existing Linux Samba server that is connected to about a dozen Windows XP Pro (mostly) workstations. Our firewall is similarly kludgy, made from an old Pentium 2 desktop.

These machines have worked extremely well for the last 5 years, during which time we've had no technical support. But the equipment is worn out, and we don't have the skills needed (and don't have anyone in our rural community) to do a new Linux install.

I'm considering upgrading to a Mac Mini with the Snow Leopard Server. We're probably "moderately" sophisticated in that we can follow directions and go to the web for troubleshooting. We know we don't want Windows Server. Does the Mac Mini Server seem like a good idea?

I'd look into a NAS device, you can get them with redundancy for as low as like $300 - that can replace your old Samba server.  Then maybe look at purchasing one of the Cisco router/firewalls available here at TechSoup.  If not that, take a look at an Untangle Re-Router.