I don't think the Mini would be significantly slower, if at all. After all,I'm hesistating between buying an imac with 256GB SSD or a mini 2.3/2.6 with 256 GB SSD. Anyone have an idea if the mini would perform better or worse in Xcode?
Dunno as I haven't personally compared the two. Generally, unless you continuously have to recompile thousands of sources, the CPU speed isn't as important as SSD speed / throughput compared to HDD's.the cpu in imac is 3.2 but i5?
No, it really isn't a _must_.- both have SSD's (which is a must for dev work)
Well, with the current SSD prices (at least when it comes to traditional S-ATA 2.5 models), it's a sin not to get at least a 128GB system SSD if one develops and compiles a lot.No, it really isn't a _must_.
That's news to me. I use a Mac Mini with a 1TB HDD and a MBP from 2008 with a 500 GB HDD for my dev work....SSD's (which is a must for dev work)...
Of course it's not a must. I too could work on my projects on my MBP 17" before getting an SSD. Just far slower. And SSD prices are so low today that it's a sin not to buy one if one does dev work.That's news to me. I use a Mac Mini with a 1TB HDD and a MBP from 2008 with a 500 GB HDD for my dev work.
Sure a SSD would be nice, but I wouldn't call it a must
Well then don't say it is. Also, dev work also sometimes means lots of files to save, especially if one is doing graphics for their apps. I don't know about you, but I would fill up a 256 GB SSD really quickOf course it's not a must.
Yeah, I would say capacity of the drive is more important for development than access speed (as a general guideline).Also, dev work also sometimes means lots of files to save, especially if one is doing graphics for their apps. I don't know about you, but I would fill up a 256 GB SSD really quick
SSD prices are not low enough. I want one drive in my laptop and my personal minimum size is 500GB which I'm already hitting the limit of. My next drive will be at lease 1TB. I like having all of my pictures, video, music and Xcode projects with me.Of course it's not a must. I too could work on my projects on my MBP 17" before getting an SSD. Just far slower. And SSD prices are so low today that it's a sin not to buy one if one does dev work.
I was planning a mini 2.6 i7 with 256 GB ssd done by apple & hook up a 4 TB 7200 via usb 3. Or should I go fusion 1TB by apple for developping?Yeah, I would say capacity of the drive is more important for development than access speed (as a general guideline).
Yup, if you have a lot of graphics (you, say, develop a game with tons of high-res pre-rendered screens etc.), it might be necessary.Well then don't say it is. Also, dev work also sometimes means lots of files to save, especially if one is doing graphics for their apps. I don't know about you, but I would fill up a 256 GB SSD really quick
I'd say depends. As I've pointed out above, with projects not having that much multimedia assets, 256G may be more than sufficient. At least it's for me.I was planning a mini 2.6 i7 with 256 GB ssd done by apple & hook up a 4 TB 7200 via usb 3. Or should I go fusion 1TB by apple for developping?
Of course, I also use a 1TB 9.5mm HDD in my DVD bay but not for any kind of development - only as an iTunes media hard drive.
iMac RAM is easy to replace on my model (the original Al one) - you just lay it on it's face, you remove the sole screw from the bottom of the computer, pop the RAM out and pop the new RAM in, put the screw back in, and stand the computer back up. You can do it all in under 3 minutes.Seems like either machine would be a good choice then. I would compare the cost of the two (factoring in that you need to get a monitor/keyboard/mouse with the mini).
Also, one thing to consider, is that with the mini you can buy the base model and upgrade the ram yourself for crazy cheap. I don't recall if that can be done on the iMac as easily (googled: see here regarding upgrading ram in an iMac)
From the linked page it sounds like the 21 inch model is capable of replacement, the 27 is not. That being said, it sounds like based on user comments, both are kind of a rough taskiMac RAM is easy to replace on my model (the original Al one) - you just lay it on it's face, you remove the sole screw from the bottom of the computer, pop the RAM out and pop the new RAM in, put the screw back in, and stand the computer back up. You can do it all in under 3 minutes.
IDK if the redesigned slim one made this a lot harder.
It's the other way around, if I understood your comment correctly. 27" is the one that's easy to upgrade.From the linked page it sounds like the 21 inch model is capable of replacement, the 27 is not. That being said, it sounds like based on user comments, both are kind of a rough task