How to convince my dad to buy me one?

[OldGlass]

So, I really want to create apps. I've looked into objective-c. I've watched many YouTube videos regarding it for a while now and looked through many how to code websites like codeschool, and I feel like it's something I can learn and eventually create games for the App Store. Problem is, I need a Mac. A Mac with enough horsepower for me to develop apps.
That's my endgame goal right now.

I've told my dad about my plan, my goal, and how I will do it.
It's something I'm really passionate and ambitious about it. It's not something I just thought of over night and just decide to do it.
I just need a Mac.
Xcode, and a developer account is something I can get myself.
Do you have any tips?
My grades aren't that bad, and my dad know I'm consistent with my grade. (8th grade)
I'm joining programs and classes in school that's teaching me how to code in Objective C.
Even after showing how serious I am about this long-term goal, my dad still refuse.
He says it's too expensive. I know it is too expensive, but I need him to trust me. Trust me that I will make this investment worth it. Trust me that I won't disappoint him. It will be a great learning experience for me and will eventually end up being my career.
I just need some techniques I can use to get him to agree to buy me one.
I will work hard and persevere as much as I can to make this goal and dream of mine come true.
"I'm still too young to get a job" will probably just sound like an excuse to sound spoil to you, but it's true.
I'm barely finishing middle school soon.

I am by all mean grateful for everything my father has done to me.
His effort to get up early and drive me to school, I am forever indebted to him for being such a great and devoted father, but I also have my dreams to achieve.
I've done pretty much everything on all the list of "how to convince your parent" like doing chores, etc.

Any tips will be appreciated!

 

[Colin8]

Not sure why you're asking here, as this is more of a psychological question? haha

As it's really your dad who knows his financial situation, and if he can't afford it, I would avoid pressuring him about it - you don't want him to feel bad because he can't afford to buy you one. Macs are expensive computers. I've wanted a Mac all my life, but as your situation, my dad never bought me one. I was really into Xcode at your age and sufficed to - illegally - running OS X Snow Leopard on a VM, which wasn't a fun experience. I bought my first one a few months ago, with my own money at 18, which I saved up from working in a shop while at Uni. Is worth every penny.

The only thing I can recommend to you is buying a used Mac on eBay - plenty of these for around £500 should be able to run Xcode.

 

[bubbleboil]

How about a mac mini or macbook air? Buy the latest and greatest macbook after u earn your own money?

I used a 2013 macbook air with 8gb ram for a computing degree and is currently doing games based on unity.

Save yr money and get a refurbished device with 8gb ram and 2013 onwards. I do agree that the latest and greatest macbook is too exp for someone that just complete middle school.

 

[xb2003]

I don't know how good you are with computers or what you have access to in the way of equipment.. but you could try to Hackintosh. You would need a friend with a Mac. But this would give you the ability to use XCode. You might run into issues if you decide you want to publish an app, but at that point you might be in a bit different situation.

You can pick up older MacBooks and Mac Minis second hand pretty cheap, would he let you buy one if it was your money?

 

[OldGlass]

Not sure why you're asking here, as this is more of a psychological question? haha

As it's really your dad who knows his financial situation, and if he can't afford it, I would avoid pressuring him about it - you don't want him to feel bad because he can't afford to buy you one. Macs are expensive computers. I've wanted a Mac all my life, but as your situation, my dad never bought me one. I was really into Xcode at your age and sufficed to - illegally - running OS X Snow Leopard on a VM, which wasn't a fun experience. I bought my first one a few months ago, with my own money at 18, which I saved up from working in a shop while at Uni. Is worth every penny.

The only thing I can recommend to you is buying a used Mac on eBay - plenty of these for around £500 should be able to run Xcode.

Aww, I don't mean to make him feel bad.
But wow, I wish I was 18. I can get a job and save up for things I really need.
But I'll talk him into looking at the used Macs. Thank you!!
[doublepost=1494473789][/doublepost]

I don't know how good you are with computers or what you have access to in the way of equipment.. but you could try to Hackintosh. You would need a friend with a Mac. But this would give you the ability to use XCode. You might run into issues if you decide you want to publish an app, but at that point you might be in a bit different situation.

You can pick up older MacBooks and Mac Minis second hand pretty cheap, would he let you buy one if it was your money?

Yes. If it was my own money, I am allowed to spend it however I like. So far, I have around $100 after a few weeks of helping out around the house and selling 2 of my old games I don't play anymore.
Also, I sadly don't have any friend that own a Mac. They all have their fancy custom built gaming PC. I'll show him the Mac Mini to see what he think of it.
[doublepost=1494474095][/doublepost]

How about a mac mini or macbook air? Buy the latest and greatest macbook after u earn your own money?

I used a 2013 macbook air with 8gb ram for a computing degree and is currently doing games based on unity.

Save yr money and get a refurbished device with 8gb ram and 2013 onwards. I do agree that the latest and greatest macbook is too exp for someone that just complete middle school.

Hmmm. MacBook Air. What's your thought on the MacBook Air?
Has it served you well? Did you run in any annoying problems while using it?

 

[jerryk]

Any old mac will do the job. I develop apps of a 2009 mac mini connected an old monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

On the parenting side I can see the need to show him how serious you are. You could get a job raking leaves or mowing lawns. At 13 I was cleaning out toilets and sweep up the shop floor at a service station to save money to buy a motorcycle.

 

[Sun Salute]

You can get an old mac for $379: (hope this doesn't count as advertising, I just know of the existence of the site )
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/C503LGR02GC/

For coding, this will easily do the job.

As for the parents thing - hard to say really, but I would say being persistent and serious about your future works, just keep it up. Maybe get some side job - even if you get like $20 a day for three-four hours of work, you'll be able to buy this version in half a month. And also your parents after seeing your work effort and dedication will be much more likely to help.

 

[serkan]

My friend, what a lovely passion you have. I see myself saying the same sentences to my father to ask for a Mac.

I even have done presentations to him and pitched him back in the days to convince him. Now, I do the same to my customers

Check out the Marketplace in the forums and you can catch amazing deals from great people.

Also, be active in the forums as much as you can which will allow you to meet with new people and learn new things that you can create very shortly. I have met really smart people in here which I gladly tell everyone that I am friends with.

Also, divide your energy and convincing your dad to different phases. Think it as a sale. If its gonna happen, it will likely to happen under 8 interactions with your dad.

Save your allowances, try to get a summer job ( I used to deliver newspapers), help out with the chores and I am sure you will be lucky soon eneough.

Everyone wants to have 4000$ Mac,no doubt but when it comes to reality, I am still using my Early 2011 MacBook Pro with upgrades and it still gives me as much as its needed.

Get something you can afford, work on it and if you are good, who knows maybe you can be Apple Sponsored Keynote Attendee one day.

 

[boast]

Possibly he can afford something like www.macincloud.com in the mean time?

Also maybe call Apple Edu and see if they recommend anything: 1–800–692–7753

 

[OldGlass]

You can get an old mac for $379: (hope this doesn't count as advertising, I just know of the existence of the site )
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/C503LGR02GC/

For coding, this will easily do the job.

As for the parents thing - hard to say really, but I would say being persistent and serious about your future works, just keep it up. Maybe get some side job - even if you get like $20 a day for three-four hours of work, you'll be able to buy this version in half a month. And also your parents after seeing your work effort and dedication will be much more likely to help.

Just showed him this, and he said he'll buy it if I do good on the finals.
OMG.

 

[Freyqq]

So, I really want to create apps. I've looked into objective-c. I've watched many YouTube videos regarding it for a while now and looked through many how to code websites like codeschool, and I feel like it's something I can learn and eventually create games for the App Store. Problem is, I need a Mac. A Mac with enough horsepower for me to develop apps.
That's my endgame goal right now.

I've told my dad about my plan, my goal, and how I will do it.
It's something I'm really passionate and ambitious about it. It's not something I just thought of over night and just decide to do it.
I just need a Mac.
Xcode, and a developer account is something I can get myself.
Do you have any tips?
My grades aren't that bad, and my dad know I'm consistent with my grade. (8th grade)
I'm joining programs and classes in school that's teaching me how to code in Objective C.
Even after showing how serious I am about this long-term goal, my dad still refuse.
He says it's too expensive. I know it is too expensive, but I need him to trust me. Trust me that I will make this investment worth it. Trust me that I won't disappoint him. It will be a great learning experience for me and will eventually end up being my career.
I just need some techniques I can use to get him to agree to buy me one.
I will work hard and persevere as much as I can to make this goal and dream of mine come true.
"I'm still too young to get a job" will probably just sound like an excuse to sound spoil to you, but it's true.
I'm barely finishing middle school soon.

I am by all mean grateful for everything my father has done to me.
His effort to get up early and drive me to school, I am forever indebted to him for being such a great and devoted father, but I also have my dreams to achieve.
I've done pretty much everything on all the list of "how to convince your parent" like doing chores, etc.

Any tips will be appreciated!

Look for a used one on eBay. Something from 2010-2012 is plenty. Price range is maybe $300-400. Then, try to earn $300-400 yourself and save every penny. It's summertime. May be some opportunities.

 

[catportal]

Just showed him this, and he said he'll buy it if I do good on the finals.
OMG.

Hi, don't buy that laptop. It is grossly overpriced. It has 2 GB of ram, which even for something like developing apps, is extremely low. I would suggest you look at craigslist for a Mac Mini. They can be found fairly cheap.

For example, you can get a Mac Mini with 8 GB ram 2011 model for around $300

 

[Toutou]

Or you could try developing for other platforms that are more accessible (Windows, Android, web) and then jump ship when you're absolutely sure about all this.

Buying a new expensive Mac just to see if app development is your thing is pretty much like buying a F1 car to see if you like motorsport.

 

[AppleMacFinder]

If your main usage is going to be XCode, the OS X virtual machine could satisfy your needs without spending a dime.
However, the graphics there will be quite laggy and your abilities to do anything related to graphics will be limited.
In any case, it is a good idea to try OS X virtual machine to get a first impression of what it's like to work in OS X

BTW MacBook Air from 2010 is way too old... If you are going to get a used Mac -
try to get at least 2011 or 2012 MacBook Pro which didn't had a Retina high res display yet and should be cheaper
Preferably 15" inches screen model if you could afford - 13" is too small for the serious software programming
(thats if you don't plan to use your Mac with external screen)

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Aww, I don't mean to make him feel bad.
But wow, I wish I was 18. I can get a job and save up for things I really need.
But I'll talk him into looking at the used Macs. Thank you!!
[doublepost=1494473789][/doublepost]
Yes. If it was my own money, I am allowed to spend it however I like. So far, I have around $100 after a few weeks of helping out around the house and selling 2 of my old games I don't play anymore.
Also, I sadly don't have any friend that own a Mac. They all have their fancy custom built gaming PC. I'll show him the Mac Mini to see what he think of it.
[doublepost=1494474095][/doublepost]

Hmmm. MacBook Air. What's your thought on the MacBook Air?
Has it served you well? Did you run in any annoying problems while using it?

Is there any particular Mac that you have in mind?

A thread title that says "one" - without specifying exactly which "one" you might have in mind - is awfully general.

More to the point, there is a significant price difference between "one" Mac and another.

I have an MBA - in fact, I am writing this post on my maxed out MBA (512 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, Core i7) and find it the fastest, most powerful, portable and reliable computer I have ever had; the battery life is also very impressive.

I'd recommend that you look at a refurbished MBA, (check out the Apple website); refurbished models come with a decent discount yet still have all of the warranties and guarantees of a new computer.

 

[daflake]

If you haven't done any coding at all, don't worry about going with a high end machine yet. It will take time for you to get the skills you need to develop soild games. Start with a lower machine like the MB Air and then as you show him you are really doing this, he will be more likely to help you out later.

I would avoid a hackintosh, they are more hassle than they are worth.

 

[Speechless]

Look for a used one on eBay. Something from 2010-2012 is plenty. Price range is maybe $300-400. Then, try to earn $300-400 yourself and save every penny. It's summertime. May be some opportunities.

This is a perfect post right here.

--
Best of luck to you man! I mean it

 

[OldGlass]

Showed him a few used Mac Mini and he finally agreed to let me switch from the MacBook Air from the Mini
Just gotta do good on the finals now.

 

[horsebattery]

Assuming you're on a Windows machine, did you consider other routes, e.g. https://github.com/Microsoft/WinObjC ? Or as mentioned above, you can also go the VM route. Using other languages first might also be more beneficial, especially if you're new to development.

 

[timbals]

Why are you learning objc instead of swift?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Threaten your dad with you taking a paper route to save up for a new Mac, if he doesn't provide you one! That will teach him!

Also, just get a used Mac. And don't expect to earn anything on selling apps. And since you are doing this, you should learn Swift and not Obj-C.

 

[Merode]

Why are you learning objc instead of swift?

A lot of companies require you to know Obj-C because their software was developed using it. Nobody's going to rewrite whole apps in new language. Even Apple uses Obj-C.

Swift makes sense with new apps.