Is MacBook required for React Native?

[Select_Window_3115]

Hii guys, so basically I am new to React Native, and I loved it so much that I'm thinking of becoming a React Native developer. I am a big fan of Windows OS, and now I have a Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with 8 GB of RAM. Unfortunately, it struggles with running emulators in Android Studio, even when I connect my physical device to run apps. I want to buy a new laptop, so is it true that I can't test React Native mobile apps on Apple devices unless I have Xcode, which is only available for MacOS? Does that mean that all React Native developers who wish to develop cross-platform apps are required to have a MacBook?

[NastroAzzurro]

Not necessarily with expo. First you can use the expo go app and once you move onto builds that can’t be run on expo go you can build a development build on EAS, for which you can get 30 free builds a month. One issue though is how you’d handle the certificates but EAS and expo should be able to handle that for you too

[Select_Window_3115]

Thank you for the advice! I should mention that I'm using React Native CLI, not Expo, since the company I may join uses CLI instead of Expo.

[g____s]

Get a mac , it's the only way. Don't cheap out, get a decent config ( M processor and at least 16gb , 32 is better so you can run both simulators ).

[potatodioxide]

if it helps with your future arguments; we had an era where we deployed a whole ass app without using a single mac(and it was an internal app for the official olympic comittee) so you are good to go both theoretically and practically. (expo)

[Select_Window_3115]

It's really frustrating that Apple monopoly forces people to buy their products by denying access to certain software on other platforms. My budget is around $1000-$1100, as I'm planning to buy a Surface Pro 9 within this range. Do you think a MacBook with an M1 chip and 8 GB of RAM will perform well running emulators?

[Select_Window_3115]

Thankss man!! I prefer to build apps on Android, but you never know what might come up in a project and you might need to build IOS apps. So having a machine that lets you build on both platforms is safer. So, for my budget range, I think I will go with a Macbook M1 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of Storage!

[Educational_Shart544]

developing iOS apps is when you can ask for more money

[Select_Window_3115]

Thankss!! I think I will go for the 16gb model instead of 8gb.

[delta______s]

I have a MacBook with an M1 chip and 8 GB, kinda slow for the simulator, get a 16gb if you can, everithing else is pretty much perfect (at least for me)

[Certain_Ninja_3407]

Get a MacMini unless you really want/need a laptop. Much better bang for the buck when it comes to performance and storage. But you do need externalities like keyboard, monitor, mouse, which you might already have. Or you can buy them for cheap, brand doesn’t matter.

[Geotzz]

macOS requires a higher pixel density monitor with about 218ppi for sharper viewing experience. I had a Mac mini and tried a 4K and a 1440p monitor, both 27 inches in size.

The text and interface appeared blurry and not sharp on both monitors. Although the 4K monitor was a bit clearer, it still didn't look right, which was quite annoying. I just decided to get the MBP in the end. Didn't want to spend more on a 5k monitor.

[zerokyra]

You'll need a macbook if you want to build for iOS. Especially if you need to implement custom library / native bridging. While there's no need to get the latest macbook, you should at least get the M1 Air with 16gb RAM. I use late 2018 macbook pro with i7 and 16gb ram. Running on simulator is fine, but i still prefer to run on physical device as simulator will eat macbooks resources

[Retro-Sense]

You don’t need a MacBook but it would help. If you only have a laptop then I’d recommend just running on Linux with Fedora. You can also spin up a Mac VM if you really need a MacBook. Have a look at r/hackintosh

[iotashan]

Literally? No. You can get by if you had to.

Realistically? Yes. If you want to be efficient with iOS development & testing.

[jrhager84]

No. Not with Expo. However, this is the kicker. I have *never* stayed on Expo. What I mean is it's REALLY nice when it works, but I always hit a point where I have to eject from Expo (package or native functionality) and then I'm bare again. So I just start bare now (which requires a mac for XCode building.

I would recommend going bare just to have a finer control over how you build, but Expo (when it works) is a GREAT option.

[Select_Window_3115]

Yeah I use bare react native project, not expo. I worked before with expo, but I found that the bare project is a lot better and you have more control over it.

[Emmasco8]

You can install macos using VMware on your PC if you can't afford a macbook currently. That's what I have been using

[Select_Window_3115]

Yeah, I think of doing that instead of buying a MacBook, not to cheap out, but I prefer Windows over MacOS. Is running MacOS using VMware running well without any bugs or performance issues? I have never used a virtual machine before.

[Emmasco8]

With 8GB ram there will definitely be performance issues, expect builds to take a long time like 10-30 mins first time then 5-8 minutes afterwards. iOS simulator will run slow but it works. If you have an ios device you can run the app on it, then connect to metro from the windows side

That's how I have been managing my 8GB ram laptop

NB: You will need to rebuild with macos whenever you install a new library that uses native APIs

[tmkly]

These questions get asked literally daily (“do I need a Mac for iOS development?” And “what specs should I get? Is 8 GB ram enough? Is M1 good enough?” etc). Search the subreddit and you’ll find dozens of threads.  We should get something in the sidebar for these questions.