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That article describes a high-end gaming machine, with a potential pricetag of 5000$. Given that the Intel-based developer transition kit was only 999$, I can't

by messe 6y ago

That article describes a high-end gaming machine, with a potential pricetag of 5000$. Given that the Intel-based developer transition kit was only 999$, I can't see their developer model being that expensive. For the developer model, perhaps they'll revive the Macbook 2015 form factor with an ARM chip instead, to distinguish it from the Intel-based Airs and Pros.

twoodfin 6y ago
The Apple of 2020 is in a very different market position than that of 2006. I also expect that you won’t need this box to do ARM development: Why should ARM macOS development on an existing x64 Mac be any different from ARM iPadOS development there?
- messe 6y ago
  I mean, ideally it shouldn't. The vast majority of apps should just recompile. But I don't think you can compare them quite like that, remember that the iPad/iPhone emulators on Xcode run x64 code, not ARM. If you're doing anything that depends on architectural features or drops into inline assembly, you're going to need either an ARM emulator on your x64 box (which apple doesn't do right now for iPad/iPhone dev), or an ARM box to test on. Right now for iPad/iPhone development, if you wish to use some assembly you can test it on device.
- rjsw 6y ago
  It may help that clang/llvm is a cross-compiler by default.
rbanffy 6y ago
$999 buys a low-spec MacBook Air and could buy a slightly higher spec ARM-based machine for the same margins. I still think they'd be very constrained. That original PowerMac chassis with a PC inside also won't happen again unless they have a ton of surplus MacPro chassis they need to offload. $999 can buy the MacPro monitor stand...
- messe 6y ago
  I'm not saying it will be 999$, but it will probably be at lost less than 5000$ of that article. I'd say in the 1500-2000$ range. Something similarly priced to an iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard + Pencil combo.
  - rbanffy 6y ago
    Apple is on a very different track today than it was back then and buying hardware for developing for the platform is much less risky than the $999 price tag implied.

by messe 6y ago

twoodfin 6y ago

The Apple of 2020 is in a very different market position than that of 2006. I also expect that you won’t need this box to do ARM development: Why should ARM macOS development on an existing x64 Mac be any different from ARM iPadOS development there?

messe 6y ago
I mean, ideally it shouldn't. The vast majority of apps should just recompile. But I don't think you can compare them quite like that, remember that the iPad/iPhone emulators on Xcode run x64 code, not ARM. If you're doing anything that depends on architectural features or drops into inline assembly, you're going to need either an ARM emulator on your x64 box (which apple doesn't do right now for iPad/iPhone dev), or an ARM box to test on. Right now for iPad/iPhone development, if you wish to use some assembly you can test it on device.
rjsw 6y ago
It may help that clang/llvm is a cross-compiler by default.

rbanffy 6y ago

$999 buys a low-spec MacBook Air and could buy a slightly higher spec ARM-based machine for the same margins. I still think they'd be very constrained. That original PowerMac chassis with a PC inside also won't happen again unless they have a ton of surplus MacPro chassis they need to offload. $999 can buy the MacPro monitor stand...

messe 6y ago
I'm not saying it will be 999$, but it will probably be at lost less than 5000$ of that article. I'd say in the 1500-2000$ range. Something similarly priced to an iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard + Pencil combo.
- rbanffy 6y ago
  Apple is on a very different track today than it was back then and buying hardware for developing for the platform is much less risky than the $999 price tag implied.