3 ms·
Ask HN: starting iOS dev: best Mac value?
We've been accepted into MFi and will need to code up a few simple iOS apps. We're a windows shop, so that means buying a new Mac or two. I have no idea which model provides the the best bang for the buck--any advice? I doubt that we'll use it for much more than compiling and loading apps onto devices.
- jacksondeane 15y agoI am not sure where you live, or if you are comfortable with buying things off of Craigslist... 1) You should be able to find a perfectly capable used iMac or macbook (pro) on Craigslist for anywhere between $400 - $800. 2) If Craigslist is not your thing, Apple has an excellent refurbished program, I have bought refurb. a number of times with no problems. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=OTY2ODY3Nw http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=O... 3) If you want to go brand new, any of the MacBook Air's or iMac desktops would be perfect.
- joe_bleau 15y agoWe're in rural southern US. Not a lot of Macs on the local CL. Boss man is more comfortable with new, or at least factory refurb.
- _pius 15y agoI'd say a MacBook Air (portable) or iMac (desktop) absent any other information, but I'd also recommend checking out this article: http://brooksreview.net/2011/05/macs-cars/ http://brooksreview.net/2011/05/macs-cars/ What is MFi?
- hyoogle 15y agoMFi: http://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/ http://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/ Hardware for iPhone, iPod, iPad platforms.
- benologist 15y agoMacbook Air. I'm an MS guy, it can actually handle having a Win7 VM w/ Visual Studio alongside Xcode (not brilliantly, but adequately). That way you can use it as your laptop too, and it's a frigging nice little laptop.
- phren0logy 15y agoConsider the mini, though it is overdue for a hardware update. A mini with a Sandy Bridge processor, Thunderbolt connector, and SSD would actually be a pretty sweet little workstation. The bang-for-the-buck factor on the SSD is in your compile times.