Which mac to build my ios app

Ionic Framework ionic-v3
1

Hello All,

I am trying to find help from you because it will be soon time to build my app on IOS.
However I never used a mac for my entire life.
I developed my app and my server on windows and my server is deployed on a server running on ubuntu.
I just would like to know what is according to you the minimum required configuration to build my app on ios (and maybe debug if needed)

I looked at the new mac mini because not to much expensive compared to imac or macbook.

For 549 euros I have a:
Intel core i5 dualcore 1.4 GHz
4GB RAM

For 799 euros I have a:
Intel core i5 dualcore 2.6 GHz
8GB RAM

For 1 099 euros I have a:
Intel core i5 dualcore 2.8 GHz
8GB RAM

Do you think the first one is enough or will I faced some issues?

Thanks a lot for your answer

2

Are you planning to do anything that will need manual work on the iOS project after generating it with Cordova?

If not: Do you know about Ionic Package? https://docs.ionic.io/services/package/
You still need a Mac to upload the generated .ipa at the end but you can use macincloud.com or similar for that (or even https://www.wenz.io/ApplicationLoader). Much, much cheaper.

3

You can run OSX in a VM if you want :wink:
But if you want to buy a Mac, you should buy a MacBook Pro for mobile and stationary development. I love my MacBook Pro 2015 Retina model! You can buy it for under 1000€ (13 inches) on eBay actually.

4

@Sujan12

Thanks for this answer however I will need maybe to code a bit in some cordova plugin which are currently not maintained or which needs some adaptations.

@LoLStats

A mac book pro is mandatory? :sweat:
Because the problem with second-hand is that you don’t know if it has been well treated…

5

You can also buy a Mac in Apples refurbished store. Otherwise, I recommend a Mac Mini. They are cheap and do their job well. You can also use it as a build server if you want to be smart with your development and release process.

6

I will have a look :slight_smile:

7

So if you recommand a mac mini do you think the configuration of the first one is enough or should I switch to the second one?

I do not see any refurbished mac mini unfortunately

8

The second! More RAM and higher CPU speed for compiling!

9

If you go the mac mini route middle option this link is for 750 euros plus possible extra 100 euros discount:

10

In case someone comes by here, I found a pretty good service, if you don’t mind spending a bit. I tried so many app uploading services but they either didn’t work or they didn’t work after a while.
I found this today https://www.macincloud.com/