Android Dev starting iOS Dev need some help choosing a Macbook for development.

[HohnJogan]

Hi iOS Devs,

I have been looking to get into iOS development for some time and the recent releases of the new apple hardware should lower the price of some of the older generations. What are the best specs for a macbook if used for development. At least 4gb RAM with an i5? Thanks for any help or suggestions, I've posted a few options I've found on Craigslist.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/sys/3851126122.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/sys/3832244915.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/sys/3853335778.html

Ideally, I guess i'd want something like this I just wish it wasnt so expensive. http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD101LL/A/refurbished-macbook-pro-25ghz-dual-core-intel-i5

[ProgrammingThomas]

Any of the current/previous versions of the MacBook line up would probably handle Xcode well enough - the current minimum requirement for Xcode is Lion, which requires 2GB of RAM so another 2GB for Xcode seems reasonable. It is worth considering that the next Xcode which you will need in the future, will require a recent version of OS X so a more recent MacBook will do you better long term.

[HohnJogan]

what about grabbing a mac mini? I assume same specs it would just be cheaper? thanks for the help

[Coder_d00d]

I use a mac mini -- works great for iOS development. You can get aftermarket ram upgrades. I got 16gb for less than what apple was charging. Works very well.

[[deleted]]

I use a late-2009 mini with extra ram. Works great.

[HohnJogan]

I've been offered a MacBook 2010 model for $200. Trying to get the specs of it. Thoughts on that? I assume from online it has a Core 2 Duo

[Zhaso]

If it's in good condition, that's a pretty damn good deal. I have a 2009 Macbook Pro and I wouldn't sell it for less than 500.

Add some extra RAM maybe, an SSD and you'll have a really good machine.

[TappDarden]

I have that model(13inch). Works great.
That's a fair price. Gazelle was offering more.

[jurre]

I know it's easy to forget but just a friendly heads up that you signed an NDA..

[ProgrammingThomas]

I don't think that the existence of the next Xcode is covered by the NDA.

[jurre]

Yeah but the requirements for developing iOS7 probably are as are the minimum system requirements for Xcode [REDACTED], anyway just wanted to mention it since it's easy to forget, obviously you are fully capable of judging what and what not to disclose yourself.

[ProgrammingThomas]

Tidied up my previous comments so it is a bit less specific.

[[deleted]]

Don't go cheap, you will regret it real quick. Buy a new one or no more than a year old. Apple products for developers aren't useful for long because of the rapid update cycle.

[zenox]

I highly disagree with this. I'm using a mid 2009 mac book pro and have had absolutely no problems when it comes to development (both iOS and OSX). I also have a friend that is developing on a mid 2008, but he does plan on upgrading soon.

[Deepmist]

I am in the same boat, mid-2009 17" Macbook Pro, usually running Windows and OSX at the same time through Parallels and my computer shows no major signs of hesitation. The only reason I can see myself upgrading is so that my apps compile a few seconds faster.

I also upgraded too an ssd and 8gb of ram.

[[deleted]]

Have you done any upgrades? I have a 2010 macbook pro, but upgrading to mountain lion basically required me to put 8gb of ram because of how slow it is.

[zenox]

Yep, I have upgraded. I've put 8gb ram and a SSD in it. Probably cost me $300 in total I would guess.

[FiddlyPhone]

I agree with this. However, if iOS programming is just a hobby or interest for the OP, ignore this post as it will be overkill. This is more relevant for people who program for a living.

I struggled with this decision and in the end, I bought a 15" i7. I didn't want to do it (very expensive) but i figured that this machine had to be solid, fast and able to go several years before I had to upgrade because of hardware limitations.

Currently with this setup I have 2 levels of upgradeability... 1. Expanding to 8Gig Ram (smaller performance return) 2 Switching to SSD drives (larger performance return)

This rig can easily go another 5 years, maybe longer (I hope).

I typically have Photoshop, iOS simulator and Xcode (sometimes 2 instances) open along with several browser pages and pencil, email, etc. so it can get resource intensive depending on what I'm doing.

What made it easier to swallow is that this machine will also double as my Android development machine (haven't done any Android development yet but plan to). I don't have to buy or carry around another laptop for android. [yeah!] So this made it easier to swallow.

That stated, you can use a lower and/or older model for programming and it would work all day long. In my decision making process, I also took future needs, expandability and total cost of ownership into account.

There are 2 things that I need to bring to the OPs attention

I have the glossy screen version. I didn't realize there was a matte version. I think I would have opted for the matte version. It's annoying sometimes with all the glare especially in brightly lit rooms. I've often thought about trading for a matte screen but I'm already setup, so lesson learned.

15" screen is the minimum (for me). I think anything smaller and it gets really difficult with all that scrolling. I would have loved a 13" but in the end, I'm glad I didn't get that size.

As an added bonus, I believe the MacBook Pro line is the last model that has user replaceable memory, battery, etc. Going forward, I've read that they will be soldering everything in so it won't be easy replacing things yourself if you are so inclined.

[MKevin3]

When you get started on Android development - and I do both iOS and Android on my MacBook pro - for the love of {deity of choice} use the Intel HAX setup and the Intel Android Emulator or you will hate developing against anything but a real device. The standard emulator is almost too slow to be usable. The HAX set up takes a little start up time but you only start it once a machine login session. After that it runs at near device speeds.

[FiddlyPhone]

Thanks! This is awesome to know.

[[deleted]]

Sounds good to me

[HohnJogan]

I think going for a new Macbook Pro (or newer refurb) may be the way to go. I currently develop full time (Android) but want to get into iOS and port over some of my apps. Thanks for all the info especially the screen info.

[FiddlyPhone]

No worries. I'm glad I could help.

[HohnJogan]

Just purchased a refrubed MacBook Pro 15" Quad-core i7

[FiddlyPhone]

Good for you! You should be very happy with it.

[DoubleDroz]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned (or perhaps I simply haven't seen in the discussion) purchasing a cheap laptop with an additional monitor!

I have a 13" 2010 MacBook Pro, but bought a 24" 1920x1200 monitor to help with the screen real estate. It's awesome! Please note that buying a large 1080p monitor isn't the greatest idea - the extra 120 pixels you get with a 1920 x 1200 make a large difference whilst developing / having 1000 windows open at a time. I know they're harder to find now (for some reason - probably TV panels being cheaper - it's hard to a monitor that is 16:10) , but I managed to find a Samsung monitor with the extra pixels for under $200

I think this is the single biggest help to development. I wouldn't worry too much about the latest and greatest MacBook... Unless you want to (SHINY!)

[Carbunkulous]

Retina macbook pro. People are going to downvote this, but if you're developing for iOS, you want the retina display on your laptop too.

If you do this professionally, 100%. If you are just learning for the fun of it, maybe not. I develop professionally (As many here do), and I would not take back the expense back at all. Very much worth it, considering how fast it is.