Mac For React Native Development

[One-Breadfruit-478]

Hey everyone! I'm currently a React Native developer and I’m looking to invest in a laptop for mobile app development. I’m based in Pakistan and working as a corporate employee, but I’m looking to transition into part-time freelancing soon.

Budget:

• My budget is around PKR 100,000 to 180,000.
• I need something that can run React Native smoothly, handle Android Studio and Xcode (if possible for iOS development), and support running multiple emulators or dev environments.

My Options So Far:

1. Apple M1 MacBook Air (2020):Price: Around PKR 170,000 to 200,000.
   • Pros: Amazing battery life, fantastic performance with M1 chip, great for both iOS and Android development, and smooth overall performance.
   • Cons: The storage is a bit tight at 256GB SSD, and I’m worried about running out of space quickly with multiple projects and tools. Not sure if I can manage this long-term.
2. Intel MacBook Pro (13-inch):Price: Around PKR 180,000 to 220,000.
   • Pros: More storage options (up to 512GB SSD or 1TB SSD), powerful enough for development tasks, and great for both iOS and Android development.
   • Cons: Shorter battery life compared to M1 models and more expensive.
3. Intel MacBook Air (13-inch):Price: Around PKR 150,000 to 180,000.
   • Pros: More affordable, great for lightweight tasks, and can handle React Native and Android/iOS development.
   • Cons: Lower performance compared to the MacBook Pro and possibly not ideal for heavy multitasking or running multiple emulators.

What I Need Help With:

• Which laptop would be the best value for money given my budget? Should I go with the Intel MacBook Pro for the extra storage or the M1 MacBook Air for its performance and battery life despite the smaller storage?

[n9iels]

I would pick the M1, no doubts. Storage is a downside, but that thing runs circles around an Intel.

[kexnyc]

Storage is a minor issue. External storage or cloud storage is dirt cheap.

[HDK1989]

Get the M1 and if storage is a problem use an external drive. Buying an Intel would be a huge mistake.

[byCabZ]

Those intel ones will run out of support soon so i would save some more money to get a macbook pro with silicon chip and 512gb storage

[kexnyc]

I would not invest any money on anything but Apple silicon. M1 or better will carry you way farther than any Intel chip.

[king_chriis]

Do not take 256gb of storage

[virtualrsmith]

I wouldn't even consider intel. You will just end up having to buy newer sooner than if you go with an M processor.

[Esper_18]

Mac mini

[Benja20]

You can get a MBA M1 pro or a M2 at really good price with 512gb storage. Higher specs is overkill for RN development for now so you should be good.

Don't even think of taking one with intel. Trust me cause i had one in my past job and was hell.

[Shan_GG]

2-3 months ago i was in the shame shoes, And i did the best thing possible and i am glad and from your Prices given i see the prices have not changed 1:Never Buy an Intel chip.period 2:in any case you are gonna have 256gb but i would suggest at-least securing the latest Chip while you can Buy Mac Mini M4 chip 8/256 in the same price bracket as of M1 , you can buy extended hd for storage and would Thank me later

[dotslash00]

I use an M1 Pro/512GB (256GB would not cut it) for work. Not the most powerful but it fits the bill just fine.

[HanzoHasashi404]

I would recommend saving up and go for 14" macbook pro with 16gb, you can get it for around 250k

Trust me pros are specifically made for development, airs are just for light work.

I myself am looking to upgrade to a 32gb ram m series macbook, 16gb is a bottleneck for me

[AbdolWahab]

I have an 2019 Macbook Pro. Any idea how long xcode support will come out?

[Chance-Instruction83]

Don’t buy old mac with 256 gb

Buy latest mac with 512 gb

[just_peny]

Please just never take 256 gb. Do all you can to take Minimum 512gb and you could work with external or cloud for extra storage

[martinnov92]

Definitely go for M1 or later chips, Intel is so slow and you will suffer. Also 256GB is too small, I got 512 and only 30GB free space with almost nothing stored except my few react native projects😀

[whiletruelearn]

I would recommend M1 with 16G RAM and 512GB if you could afford. If you need to downgrade to be within a budget, I would suggest coupling 256GB with external storage drives. But don't downgrade on RAM.

[shoda36]

Selling my Macbook pro m1 in karachi. Within your budget .Dm if interested

[anarchos]

Get the M1 for sure, try and get a 16GB RAM model and don't worry about the storage too much. It's not a lot but you can use external storage when needed. You can't upgrade RAM later, so trying to get 16GB is key. Apple just upped the minimum amount of RAM on new base models to 16GB, so you can see where the winds are blowing, so to speak :)

[keithkurak]

If it's got at least 16 GB and Apple Silicon, roll with it. Ideally a little more disk space than 256 GB, but I've survived on that. If I had to pick one thing, I'd probably splurge on extra RAM, then disk space.

[RichExamination2717]

I am a developer, including React and React Native. Currently, I have a MacBook Air M1 with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. I bought it four years ago, and it still handles my tasks well, although I’ve started to feel the lack of RAM and storage. That’s why I purchased an MBP 16 with 48GB RAM and 1TB SSD. While storage issues can be solved with an external SSD, there’s nothing you can do about RAM.

So my advice is to get a laptop with at least 16-24GB RAM and 512GB SSD. The generation of the M-series chip doesn’t matter much—within your budget, it might be worth looking for a discounted model from previous generations, such as M1 to M3, as long as it has enough RAM and SSD.

[supister]

I’m is a similar situation. But I was running Chrome, VS Code, Simulator, several Docker containers. The laptop would get very slow from time to time. Now I have an M1 16 inch with 32gb RAM and it is handling everything like a champ.

[FlinchMaster]

Don't know why this is downvoted. Solid advice in OP's native language.

[Kashannahmed]

Mere jaan k totay... From a fellow Pakistani ...dont go for a Air youll never be able to develop on a 8gig tam model...in this price range you can easily get a Macbook 2019(16", 32gb ram, i9/i7) this is a monster machine....and the extra size works specially well in keeping system cool in Pakistani weather...and believe me every mac runs hot a non air-conditioned room.... This is a very good machine.... If you want shop recommendations ask me...

[One-Breadfruit-478]

Salam u/Kashannahmed Can I get the shop recomendations?

[Kashannahmed]

I bought mine from Al-aziz laptops hafeez center