The 2.3GHZ i7, 4GB RAM, 1 TB hard drive is $799 from Apple store.
Upgrading the processor to 2.6GHZ is $100.
1TB Fusion Drive is $250
I have an old Dell keyboard and mouse, but need to buy a monitor. Estimating it to be around $100, the total will be $ 1,249. I don't know how much it costs for 16GB memory from third party.
I think I will be saving around $600.
Please let me know if I am missing anything.
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I have iPad 1. Can it be used for testing?
How much will be a good monitor?
Also, Mac mini is 4 GB, and iMac is 8GB. How much does it cost to get 4GB from third parties?
I am trying to estimate the savings between iMac and Mac mini.
iPad 1 can't run iOS 6, so you'll be limited to writing applications for iOS 5 or older. That's certainly enough to get you started. The iOS developer tools include a simulator that mimics most functions of all the iOS devices. You can do quite a lot with no real iOS device at all.
Here are some memory options for the Mac Mini from one vendor:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple/Mac_mini/DDR3_1600
4 GB of RAM is $26, but you'd have to remove one of the original 2 GB modules to use a new 4 GB one. You'd end up with a 6 GB system and an extra 2 GB DIMM. There are many other options on the web page.
You might want to invest in an Apple mouse or trackpad. Apple packs a lot more functionality in these than you're used to with a typical windows PC mouse.
Are $100 monitors any good? If you're going to spend much time on this system, get the biggest, best quality monitor you can afford. The bigger the screen, the more code you can see at once in Xcode. The iMacs have VERY good screens, that's one of the most popular features. We don't know how the new iMac screens will look, but Apple claims they reduce reflected glare by 75% compared to the previous (2011) models.
Do you have an Apple retail store nearby? You should look at the options and try things before you buy. Try the Apple mouse and trackpad, and see which you prefer. Ask them to connect your keyboard and mouse to a Mac Mini and see how well they work -- especially if they are bluetooth. Some cheap bluetooth devices barely work.