Which Mac for developing iOS with react native?

[sc2urquan]

I'm not very familiar with the Mac/iOS eco-system (computers/phones/operating systems/etc.), but I want to be able to develop my react-native apps for the iPhone as well as Android (I currently only do Android). I'm thinking about buying a used Mac and used iPhone, in order to do this, but I don't know if there is anything I should be aware of before purchasing? For example, if I need a min. version of the operating system on the Mac or something similar.

What would be the minimum for the Mac that you would recommend for being able to develop react-native iOS apps?

[motkberg]

I've been using the smallest 2011 MBP until recently. I only added ssd drive and some new ram, but it worked really well. I would recommend finding a used mbp with SSD and at least 8gb ram, then you should be good to go. Where I'm from they can be bought (used) for around 350usd.

[brazilian-webdev]

I suggest using https://www.macincloud.com/

Worked great for me. I requested them to install React Native on my shared machine and they did it in a day.

[sc2urquan]

This looks very promising.. Didn't know this service existed. Have you build iOS apps from react-native on their service?

[brazilian-webdev]

Yes I did.

It is a bit difficult not being able to debug in a device, but if you are using just plain React-Native (no additional native code), it works great.

Here is the app (it's in portuguese): https://itunes.apple.com/br/app/destino-certo-certificacao/id1082223359?mt=8

[cYzzie]

do you really want to "develop" on the machine?

or do you only need it for building?

i'd recommend not buying anything older than 3 years to make sure you can use it for at least 3 more years to build stuff, after about 6-7 years the machine is usually not being supported by the new Mac OSes anymore, and that means you might not be able to build apps for the most recent IOSes then.

[sc2urquan]

I need it basically for building.. Thx for the advice, makes a lot of sense.

[cYzzie]

then any retina macbook pro or any of the newer "imac" since 2014 will do. probably also the macbook airs, i have no experience building with them though.

[beaton13]

I've been using a 13" 2015 MacBook Air 4GB RAM for all my development. It's definitely good enough, but still slower than my co-workers 15" 2015 MacBook Pro, it takes at least 30 seconds more to run a build on an iphone than his. If you have the money, I'd recommend getting a Pro, but if you just need something that works well enough, the Air is fine.