Mac Options [+Rep]

[AgnesIO]

Heyy

So I am looking to get a Mac as I would really like to start developing iOS apps, and the easiest and most convenient way to do this appears to be on a Mac.

I have a few options really, as I don't want to spend loads and loads of cash on a (let's all be honest here) average computer.

The two main options that I can see are;

-- The Mac Mini:
- This is small, and best of all cheap.
- Reasonably decent sized hdd.
- Would definitely run xcode - would it be alright running any Adobe stuff, orr..?
- Poor graphics
- No Disc Drive
*Final Price (after HE Discounts): £476

-- The Macbook Air:
- Portable (meaning will be useful for other purposes eg. work)
- Tiny hdd
- Would definitely run xcode - not use for much else due to the minimal hdd space.
- Poor graphics again
- No Disc Drive
*Final Price: £765 // £729 (depending on if HE discount is 10 or 14%..)

-- The MacBook Pro:
- Good amount of ram and hdd space
- Portable (good news)
- Has a disc drive
- Would obviously run the programs I need
- Intel HD 3000 graphics again, but I believe these can be good as long as the other parts are up to scratch?
*Final Price: £900/£850 (depending if HE discount is 10 or 14%..)

Now obviously the MacBook pro is more expensive, but the disc drive would be useful. The Mac Mini has a decent price tag since my main priority right now is to develop apps. However the lack of portability (when I do not currently have a laptop) is a pain, and it would mean a second pc (since I already have a gaming PC. Also a lack of a screen is a pain, but I already have a monitor so could simply hook it up to that.

Back to the Pro, they are decent looking laptops, relatively powerful but are obviously a fair bit more expensive - so I would save up more before getting it to make sure I do not spend too larger a chunk of my current £200 a month income. Similarly the MacBook Air is more expensive than the Mini, but it is ultra portable and has a screen (and keyboard/trackpad). I feel though the insides are a let down in this, so would it be worth the cash, or would I be better spending £130 more on a more powerful laptop that is not built simply to be 'thinner than ever before'. Also, the Pro would give me time to save as it is reaching an end to its cycle - so I wouldn't feel the urge to buy now - as I will wait for the next generation!

Anyway, thanks - opinions on what to go for?

[GommeInc]

Both of them seem to be including "spending a lot of cash on a (lets be honest here) average computer" :P

As your main priority seems to be cash, you may as well go for a Mac Mini. Alternatively, you could get a refurbished one for cheaper. You seem to be fixed on buying a new one which is never a good choice when wanting to lower expenditure :P

[AgnesIO]

Both of them seem to be including "spending a lot of cash on a (lets be honest here) average computer" :P

As your main priority seems to be cash, you may as well go for a Mac Mini. Alternatively, you could get a refurbished one for cheaper. You seem to be fixed on buying a new one which is never a good choice when wanting to lower expenditure :P

I could afford any of them, but I just want to know that it would be worthwhile spending that extra little bit. I know it will never be an amazing computer - but on the other hand it will have OSX on it, which I won't get properly any other way. I need the platform to make the apps, but at the same time having a laptop would be useful for ever growing school working. It isn't so much on getting a lower expenditure, but I am a guy who aims to get the highest/best product I can for the lowest price possible - I have never really used refurbished stuff so have no experience with it!

[Flisker]

To be honest if you were only going to develop the apps at your desk get the Mac Mini. If you are going to develop on the go as well as on your desk, get the MacBook Pro.

[Recursion]

To be honest if you were only going to develop the apps at your desk get the Mac Mini. If you are going to develop on the go as well as on your desk, get the MacBook Pro.

Probably unlikely though.

[AgnesIO]

To be honest if you were only going to develop the apps at your desk get the Mac Mini. If you are going to develop on the go as well as on your desk, get the MacBook Pro.

I wouldn't be able to tell for sure until I started! Long car journeys would be good to have a laptop, but on the other hand I could get the Mini and a laptop for the same price as the pro..

[GommeInc]

I could afford any of them, but I just want to know that it would be worthwhile spending that extra little bit. I know it will never be an amazing computer - but on the other hand it will have OSX on it, which I won't get properly any other way. I need the platform to make the apps, but at the same time having a laptop would be useful for ever growing school working. It isn't so much on getting a lower expenditure, but I am a guy who aims to get the highest/best product I can for the lowest price possible - I have never really used refurbished stuff so have no experience with it!
Ah, I forgot Macs aren't future proof - so there is no way to get current or last generation Macs for cheaper that can run OSX Lion? I think a MacMini could work, then you could get laptop for school/college work and not spend that much. Would you want to develop on the go? The possibilities are there with a MacBook, but do you have the attention span to develop or want to develop at school/college and/or in a car, when you could entertain yourself with a Windows laptop and leave the developing at home?

Also, didn't Apple get rid of the MacBook? :S I remember reading that somewhere. To the consumer it's to concentrate on just on product, but anyone with a corproate mindset knows it's to squeeze more money out of the consumer, much like what Apple have done with the iPod Touch and Shuffle/Nano. Make the last two virtually useless and get the consumer to fork out for the more expensive product when the previous Nanos and regular iPods used to bridge the gap :P

[Recursion]

Ah, I forgot Macs aren't future proof - so there is no way to get current or last generation Macs for cheaper that can run OSX Lion? I think a MacMini could work, then you could get laptop for school/college work and not spend that much. Would you want to develop on the go? The possibilities are there with a MacBook, but do you have the attention span to develop or want to develop at school/college and/or in a car, when you could entertain yourself with a Windows laptop and leave the developing at home?

Also, didn't Apple get rid of the MacBook? :S I remember reading that somewhere. To the consumer it's to concentrate on just on product, but anyone with a corproate mindset knows it's to squeeze more money out of the consumer, much like what Apple have done with the iPod Touch and Shuffle/Nano. Make the last two virtually useless and get the consumer to fork out for the more expensive product when the previous Nanos and regular iPods used to bridge the gap :P

Standard MacBooks are long gone I think

[GommeInc]

Standard MacBooks are long gone I think
Ah, good old Apple - limiting choice to make a quick buck :P

[Chippiewill]

I think they were replaced with the Air since they filled the same part of the market rather than making a quick buck.[/davidproof]

[AgnesIO]

I think they were replaced with the Air since they filled the same part of the market rather than making a quick buck.[/davidproof]

Both really haha

They didn't see the point in the average laptop when they could make the average laptop ultra thin lol

[Recursion]

Both really haha

They didn't see the point in the average laptop when they could make the average laptop ultra thin lol

The Air isn't as powerful as the old MacBooks though, they lack a discrete GPU, which to some people would be a major con.

[Chippiewill]

The Air isn't as powerful as the old MacBooks though, they lack a discrete GPU, which to some people would be a major con.

There wasn't really much of a distinguishment between the pro and the vanilla though and Apple don't like to confuse people with model names. Want discrete go Pro.

[Stephen!]

Cheapest option. 75% chance you're going to start developing and either you find it too hard or you think it's boring.

[AgnesIO]

Cheapest option. 75% chance you're going to start developing and either you find it too hard or you think it's boring.

Second option is a possibility. First option doesn't happen, something is only too hard as you haven't had enough practice.

Also, fairly random statistic haha

[AgnesIO]

Looked in to it all, worked out how many 1$ or how many $2 apps I would need to sell over a five year period to break even (including the developer annual fees.)

If I could sell 2009 1$ apps in five years I will break even.
If I could sell 1650 2$ apps in five years I will break even.

Looks fairly feasible, baring in mind I wouldn't mind having a Mac of some sort anyway..

[HotelUser]

If I were forced to buy a Mac right now I already have the iMac and since you don't want an iMac (I don't believe so anyway) I would go for the Macbook pro because I'm not a fan of the watered down specifications of Macbook air.

I say "forced" because in my opinion, Mac or PC, I would not invest in a laptop right now unless I really needed one. I think if I was looking for a PC I'd wait out for a good ultrabook in 2012, and if I was looking for a Macbook I would wait for a Macbook pro sporting an SSD which I can only assume hope will be consumer available some time in 2012.

[AgnesIO]

If I were forced to buy a Mac right now I already have the iMac and since you don't want an iMac (I don't believe so anyway) I would go for the Macbook pro because I'm not a fan of the watered down specifications of Macbook air.

I say "forced" because in my opinion, Mac or PC, I would not invest in a laptop right now unless I really needed one. I think if I was looking for a PC I'd wait out for a good ultrabook in 2012, and if I was looking for a Macbook I would wait for a Macbook pro sporting an SSD which I can only assume hope will be consumer available some time in 2012.

Yeah, iMac would be no use - my desk isn't that bit and with my monitor it wouldn't fit sadly (in an ideal world that is what I would get!)

A new Macbook Pro is due (nearing the average lifespan of 315 days (on like 310 atm I think) - the 4th of October event would fit in perfectly, although I can't see anything being done while the iPhone is being announced. Can't seen an SSD of a decent size getting in a reasonably priced pro for a fair amount of time sadly!

Think I will go for the mini though, with the money left over save to get a really decent Windows Laptop in about 18 months time :)