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iOS Which MAC to buy

K

kobik

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 29, 2009
9
0
Hi,

I'm a software developer (for more than six years now). my experience includes windows developing - C++ - user mode and windows kernel drivers.

i'm about to start developing iphone applications.
after doing some research i'm still not sure which of the MAC platforms would suit me. i would like to buy a non expensive MAC platform.
Currently i see the Macbook pro and a MAC mini (with 1 Giga RAM, 2.4 MHZ CPU)
as two potential platforms.
May i have your opinion regarding these platforms ?
will they satisfy the requirements of the newest iphone SDK (version 3) ?
is the hardware strong enough ?
which of the two is most recomended ?

thanks a lot.
 
I use a MacBook Pro for all of my development. This is the slightly older 2.16 GHZ Intel Core Duo with 2gb memory, and I can't see why any of the newer ones wouldn't do very nicely.

The read me with the iPhone SDK 3.0 says:

iPhone SDK requires an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X Leopard version 10.5.7 or later.
Click to expand...

So maybe a Mac mini is just fine.
 
I do my development on a Santa Rosa BlackBook. I'm actually upgrading to a Mini.
 
If you don't really need the mobility of the MacBooks I would look at an iMac. You get more bang for the buck with an iMac. I have a two year old 24" iMac and the screen is great and the hardware is sufficient for development.

I wouldn't recommend a mini unless lowest price is your main criterion. They are underpowered and difficult to upgrade.

Apple sells refurbished computers for a discount. Look at that on the applestore website.
 
Any Intel Mac will work for you. Regarding the models Apple currently offers, they all have plenty of power to do what you need. (Although I'm clueless as to how big an iPhone project could get, and how long builds can become on, say, a Mini vs a Pro. I'm still at the "hello world" stage, and everything compiles immediately.)

The decision between the Mini and the Macbook Pro is an easy one, IMO - do you need a portable? If so, obviously get the laptop. Otherwise, either one will work just fine for you.

(Oh, and add the cost of a reasonable monitor, keyboard, mouse, RAM and storage upgrades to a Mini and you'll come to a price that's about as much as a iMac that's still more powerful. Go with the cheapest budget models of the above and you'll of course you'll spend less...)
 
You don't even need a Mac Book Pro. I do my development on a 2 1/2 year old white MacBook. Easily powerful enough for my needs. Most development is just text editing after all. Slow machines mean slow compiles, but unless its a huge project compile times will still be seconds not minutes.
The simulator running on a slow mac will still be many times faster than running on the device.
 
JimBobBennett said:
You don't even need a Mac Book Pro. I do my development on a 2 1/2 year old white MacBook. Easily powerful enough for my needs. Most development is just text editing after all. Slow machines mean slow compiles, but unless its a huge project compile times will still be seconds not minutes.
The simulator running on a slow mac will still be many times faster than running on the device.
Click to expand...

Seriously. Compiling stuff to go in to the simulator takes about 3 seconds on my previous gen MacBook.
 
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