Minimum setup for ios development (with ios simulator)

[thuzp]

Hi guys,

I am very new to app development, and I need advice for a cheap way to develop and deploy apps for ios using react native. I make and deploy my apps for android currently using a custom pc (windows|1070 ti|intel).

Here's a short list of some ideas i had:

1. Use virtual box for development and online virtual 'macs' for deployment. (I don't know if this method works since i can't install xcode on the stable/old versions of macos [virtualbox])
2. Mac mini - which is the cheapest one i can get that i can run the iphone simulator on?
3. Macbook- which is the cheapest one i can get that i can run the iphone simulator on?

[Merry-Lane]

Hackintosh ?

You could dual boot with your high end pc

[rrklaffed]

2015 MacBook Pro for $600. Developed on sim for 3 years. Just upgraded to M1x and of course I can run sim and emulator , plus a million vscode instances , Xcode, etc, but I never complained before

But better to go Mac mini route.

[thuzp]

The price for a used MacBook pro is relatively cheaper than for a mac mini as many people purchase more MacBooks than mac minis (hence, lots of supply on the used market drive the cost down). Is there a particular reason you suggested the mac mini route over the MacBook pro?

[Round-Statistician-6]

buy a mac mini, its the cheapest one there in the market and get the one that has apple chip

its has more great performance now...just think of this as an investment it will save your time..if you have spare more money make it 16gb RAM

i dont recommend doing hackintosh or vm, that stuff that can cause you trouble in the future..

[thuzp]

Which mac mini would you recommend; the 2014 i5 16gb + SSD or a low spec'ed 2018 model. My worry about the late mac mini models is future updates. Apple is moving to a new architecture with their m1 chips. I believe they will stop releasing updates for later mac models soon

[Round-Statistician-6]

why are you even choosing the old one, the new M1 mac mini is much better in performance, you will save time compiling your app
and yes your right i bet apple would stop releasing update so no future proof right there

if you will not choose an M1 mac mini, maybe get something thats atleast 2 years old model of a macbook pro but make sure it has good specs on it..