Base Spec + Xcode

[MrCookieMonster]

Any thoughts on how Xcode would perform on base spec AS MB Air?

Outside of the screen real estate and other considerations, this is just purely from a performance perspective. Would it be ok for lightweight development or do you think the memory may be a concern?

 

[NT1440]

It’s going to fly.

Please don’t fall into the trap of thinking RAM amounts can be directly compared between the architectures. M1’s unified memory means this device is going to be MUCH more capable than the equivalent amount in an Intel mac.

 

[ADGrant]

Any thoughts on how Xcode would perform on base spec AS MB Air?

Outside of the screen real estate and other considerations, this is just purely from a performance perspective. Would it be ok for lightweight development or do you think the memory may be a concern?

Xcode should work ok but an MBP would be better of course as would 16GB of RAM. If I was buying an AS Mac right now I might go for the Mini.

 

[MrCookieMonster]

Thanks! I was trying to check Xcode had been updated for this. Think I recall a slide during the presentation showing all Apple Apps had been updated, but hadn't had a chance to go back and rewatch it yet.

 

[ADGrant]

Thanks! I was trying to check Xcode had been updated for this. Think I recall a slide during the presentation showing all Apple Apps had been updated, but hadn't had a chance to go back and rewatch it yet.

Developers have been using Xcode on the DTK for the last six months.

 

[LonestarOne]

Any thoughts on how Xcode would perform on base spec AS MB Air?

Outside of the screen real estate and other considerations, this is just purely from a performance perspective. Would it be ok for lightweight development or do you think the memory may be a concern?

3.6x the previous MacBook Air, according to Apple.

 

[MrCookieMonster]

Ah ok, wasn't aware of that. I expected they were running on intel and deploying to the DTK.

 

[arossco]

I'm planning to get an M1 Mini for Xcode development. I'm currently using a 2012 MBP with 16GB Ram and a 256GB SSD.

I had been thinking of getting 16GB and 512GB, but after reading so many comments about how 8GB on AS performs more like 16GB on Intel, I am starting to think about getting 8GB instead.

I know that there have been loads of benchmarks with all sorts of graphic and music related software, but the one that interests me most is the XcodeBenchmark on GitHub.

The £1300.00 Mac mini 16GB with a time of 116 seconds comes second only to a 2019 Mac Pro with 96MB RAM and a time of 96 seconds ! However the base model Mac mini 8GB is still amazingly fast at 130 seconds, faster than a 2019 iMac i9 8 core with 64GB RAM. That is more than fast enough for me !

My question is : will 8GB still be enough, running a 4K monitor and an Apple Thunderbolt monitor, with 2 Xcode projects open and 2 simulators running ?

I won't be running much else while using Xcode, apart from Safari with a couple of tabs open. I tend to close Xcode if if am using mail or using Handbrake, for example.

I'll be grateful to hear comments to help my choice !

 

[Argon_]

Any thoughts on how Xcode would perform on base spec AS MB Air?

Outside of the screen real estate and other considerations, this is just purely from a performance perspective. Would it be ok for lightweight development or do you think the memory may be a concern?

Look at the compile benchmark in MaxTech's review.

 

[arossco]

Thanks - I have done, and on the basis of that alone I would go for 8GB.

However I wonder if the extra load on RAM by having two monitors attached, and running the simulator simultaneously (?) would make a noticeable difference.