What low-end mac should I buy for IPhone 'Hello World' development?
I am a .NET developer and a total Mac newbie. I am looking to learn how to develop for the IPhone and no one I know owns a Mac so I need advice as to what used Mac I should buy for development.
Initially I just need a basic Mac that can let me learn about Xcode and working with the IPhone SDK and creating a few simple IPhone apps, so my question is:
What is the cheapest but decent Mac development machine that I should look to buy (on ebay or craigslist or whatever) in order to get my feet wet with the IPhone development environment?
Starting out I don't think that I need the latest-and-greatest development machine so I would probably get a Mac desktop (since that is likely less expensive) that would support Leopard and have enough memory and hard drive space to support my initial 'Hello World' Iphone apps.
If I am actually able to successfully develop some simple apps for the IPhone (a big unknown at this point) then I would invest in a decent Mac notebook for the long term.
Can anyone recommend specs for a Mac that would allow me to get my feet wet with Iphone development?
As has been discussed here in the past, an Intel based Mac Mini is the cheapest entry into iPhone development. If you buy a used one make sure it has Leopard (OS X 10.5.x) and not something older like Tiger (10.4.x).
Thanks for the suggestion. Also, I happened to come across the Dell Mini 9 or 12 that runs Leopard. Anyone know about that for entry level IPhone development?
I agree with QuantumDojo - I bought a mac mini about two years ago and upgraded the RAM and installed Leopard. It still runs the iPhone SDK great, and inspired me to buy a macbook as well.
I would look into used or refurbished iMacs. While the mac-mini will probably be the cheapest the iMacs will have more bang for the buck. They will probably come with more RAM installed and also bigger hard drives and faster processors.
Did you guys use putty knives to upgrade the RAM in your mac-minis?
Yes, I actually did use a putty knife to open the thing. It was a little nerve wracking, but it turned out alright. And yes, on second thought a used iMac would probably be worth looking into - if a Mac Mini from two years ago can run XCode admirably, then more so an iMac from two years ago. I still can't recall seeing intel iMacs, even older ones, for cheaper than a new or almost new Mac Mini, but any additional cost would be worth it for the performance gain.
Neither - it has to be an Intel. The iPhone SDK does not support PowerPC processors. Apple made the switch in 2006, just before I bought my Core Duo mac mini.
The biggest problem with Mini is the upgrade. You need some nerves to do it.
So, I would spend a couple of hundred dollars more on Macbook. For $200 more, you get a usable screen, webcam, and Apple keyboard. Upgrading Macbook is extremely easy. No putty knives.
If you want a used Mac, Macbook can be had for about $700 on craigslist.
If you can afford it, or if you are even slightly credit worthy (try Best Buy or BillMeLater at MacMall.com), I'd suggest not messing around with a Mac Mini. Get the real deal, an iMac with at least 2gig and a 20' screen and you will not be dissapointed.
If you get a MacBook, IMHO do not get one of the plastic ones, they are poorly built structurally (at least the one I bought is). Get the aluminum one. That's my opinion.
The iMac is a work of art...
my 2 cents...
The problem is the Intel requirement I believe you need for the iPhone development.
If you can afford it, or if you are even slightly credit worthy (try Best Buy or BillMeLater at MacMall.com), I'd suggest not messing around with a Mac Mini. Get the real deal, an iMac with at least 2gig and a 20' screen and you will not be dissapointed.
James Brannan
Only problem with iMac is the HD is extremely difficult to upgrade, and that's the component which you will upgrade. From the online guides, it seems to be harder than Mini.
I bought the base model Mac Mini, with no memory upgrade, and used it for several months to make my game. Worked perfectly. I then upgraded to a Mac Pro with some of my profits.
Only problem with iMac is the HD is extremely difficult to upgrade, and that's the component which you will upgrade. From the online guides, it seems to be harder than Mini.
At 232.5 gig, I doubt I'll need to upgrade the HD any time soon...I stream my **** not download I'll be here all week...try the roast beef....
Seriously though, Firewire HDs are pretty cheap if you do video editing type stuff... Is there a problem with the iMac's hard drives I should know about? I have some crucial stuff on my computer...
I was going to buy a mac pro...a screaming $2999 dollars worth...but decided to invest the saved money in GM (seriously).
Last edited by jamesbrannan; 12-07-2008 at 09:57 AM.
At 232.5 gig, I doubt I'll need to upgrade the HD any time soon...I stream my **** not download I'll be here all week...try the roast beef....
Seriously though, Firewire HDs are pretty cheap if you do video editing type stuff... Is there a problem with the iMac's hard drives I should know about? I have some crucial stuff on my computer...
I was going to buy a mac pro...a screaming $2999 dollars worth...but decided to invest the saved money in GM (seriously).
Sooner on later (and especially since the OP is from Windows world), he will install Boot Camp.
120GB for each OS is simply too small.
I have 320GB for my MBP, and I am considering getting a 500GB for my MB.
Install OSX on your PC and don't waste your money on a MAC if you need it only for iPhone development. I am using iDeneb iDeneb v1.3 (Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.5) (download torrent) - TPB and I can confirm it works fine with Xcode and SDK 2.1 (haven't upgraded to 2.2 yet).
What low-end mac should I buy for IPhone 'Hello World' development?
I'll be here all week...try the roast beef....
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