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View Full Version : Least expensive Mac I should buy?



amazingdm
Jul 10, 2010, 11:58 PM
I'm not sure what to do. I want to buy a mac so I can develop iPhone apps..


aliensporebomb
Jul 11, 2010, 12:02 AM
Mac Mini?
AlphaDogg
Jul 11, 2010, 12:16 AM
white macbook
iApache
Jul 11, 2010, 01:40 AM
A mac mini would require the OP to buy a monitor, no? Unless they have one. White MB is definitely a good way to go, or maybe even look into getting a refurb model or a MB or MBP, since you only seem to want it to make apps.
ditzy
Jul 11, 2010, 04:48 AM
If you have keyboard mouse and display, go for the mini, if not get a MacBook.
dudeofblokes
Jul 11, 2010, 04:57 AM
A mac mini would require the OP to buy a monitor, no? Unless they have one. White MB is definitely a good way to go, or maybe even look into getting a refurb model or a MB or MBP, since you only seem to want it to make apps.

id second this, the white macbook is a great machine in its own and would certainly cope with what you'd like it to very well and still have room to go into further various projects
Durious
Jul 11, 2010, 07:13 AM
I'm not sure what to do. I want to buy a mac so I can develop iPhone apps..

I believe they have that software to develop on windows so a Mac machine isn't required
300D
Jul 12, 2010, 09:10 AM
I hear the octo 2.93 MacPro is reasonable.
Rudy69
Jul 12, 2010, 10:07 AM
mac mini all the way

the resolution on the white macbook is too low and developing with it is going to be hard
Bodhi395
Jul 12, 2010, 10:31 AM
Buy the cheapest iMac.

I'm surprised that I'm the first to say it considering this is an iMac forum.

Its better than the Mini because you don't need to buy a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse. And it has a nice large screen for doing programing, as opposed to sitting at the tiny macbook.
talmy
Jul 12, 2010, 10:34 AM
Refurbished Mac Mini plus a large (in terms of pixels) monitor. You don't need the performance but will find lots of pixels are convenient.

You could also seek out a used mini or iMac. Any model with a Core 2 Duo would be fine.
Rudy69
Jul 12, 2010, 12:46 PM
Refurbished Mac Mini plus a large (in terms of pixels) monitor. You don't need the performance but will find lots of pixels are convenient.

You could also seek out a used mini or iMac. Any model with a Core 2 Duo would be fine.

I would disagree with that statement... my game now takes about 4-5 minutes to compile from a fresh clean on my old core 2 duo 27" iMac (just sold it to buy a 27" i7)
talmy
Jul 12, 2010, 01:02 PM
I would disagree with that statement... my game now takes about 4-5 minutes to compile from a fresh clean on my old core 2 duo 27" iMac (just sold it to buy a 27" i7)

But wouldn't you mostly be incrementally recompiling changes? I don't do Mac/iPhone programming but I assume XCode will do this. I did a similar upgrade, but only for faster image and video processing and the high res display. Compilation speeds (Java, C cross-compilation, some Visual Studio under Parallels) was essentially instantaneous even with the C2D or my Pentium 4 PC at work.
H00513R
Jul 12, 2010, 01:11 PM
I second the lowest iMac suggestion. Beautiful screen and will do just fine (unless you are a hardcore gamer or something!).
Rudy69
Jul 12, 2010, 02:16 PM
But wouldn't you mostly be incrementally recompiling changes? I don't do Mac/iPhone programming but I assume XCode will do this. I did a similar upgrade, but only for faster image and video processing and the high res display. Compilation speeds (Java, C cross-compilation, some Visual Studio under Parallels) was essentially instantaneous even with the C2D or my Pentium 4 PC at work.

I said from a fresh clean ;) so it has to compile everything including the libraries I use. otherwise it's pretty quick