Xcode development

RDM · 1 Oct 2012 at 21:19

Last year of Uni and two of my modules are using Xcode for iOS development.

Not wanting to have to be tied down to a lab for any coursework etc I am looking at getting a Mac of some description. Would the bottom end Mac Mini be powerful enough for Xcode development?

Trying to do this as cheaply as possible and as I already have screen a spare screen this seems to be the best option?

durbs · 1 Oct 2012 at 22:04

Yes, it will easily handle XCode! I'd double up memory using cheap Crucial stuff though.

Tunney · 1 Oct 2012 at 22:16

For university assignments, I'm sure the basic spec model will be enough. I used to do relatively simple apps on 4GB RAM and it was fine.

For more complex apps, I'd go for at least 8GB and an SSD.

RDM · 1 Oct 2012 at 22:50

Thanks for the replies, cheapest Mac Mini it is then!

kierenharrold · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:12

The bottom end mac will be more than enough for Xcode and iOS development.

If you want to go cheaper, buy a second hand air/13 MBP.

You don't need 8GB ram or an SSD for iOS apps. What you want though is an actual device to test your software on, and the developer licence.

Your own dev license, not the unis. You don't want to make something really cool and interesting to find out that you don't actually own the software. Its £59.99 a year.

The simulator is good... but you can't do proper testing on it.