Need a rec for a Mac purchase...

[iMerlin]

So I decided Im going to drop some coin and pick myself up a Mac. My primary reason for buying it is so I can play around and develop some iPhone apps. Not to mention Ive always wanted a Mac so why not...

When I do something, I gotta do it right... so I think Im gonna get a Mac Book Pro. Since I want to develop apps I know I will need the SDK. But what else might I need for the Mac? Ive read a lot about xcode, do I need to buy that also or is that something that comes with the SDK?
Also, would it benefit me to get more ram or memory for making apps, how processor intensive is it? I dont even know if the Mac Book Pro can be upgraded like that.
I also thought about getting a iMac but I like the portability of the MBP.

Anyway, Im just looking for some opinions before I drop close to 3 grand. Any other expenses Im not thinking about??

Thanks

[Lincoln]

XCode is a standard developing tool for OS X; it comes with the iPhone SDK and is placed, along with everything else, inside the Developer folder. From my experience with the SDK, it does not require much memory at all, just the same as running any other app. Nonetheless, it always helps to have more memory. My MacBook has 2 GB of memory, yet I ran the SDK fine on my 512 MB memory Mac Mini. And other than the Mac itself and the fee to join Apple's Developer Program, the SDK and developing with it is free.

[iMerlin]

XCode is a standard developing tool for OS X; it comes with the iPhone SDK and is placed, along with everything else, inside the Developer folder. From my experience with the SDK, it does not require much memory at all, just the same as running any other app. Nonetheless, it always helps to have more memory. My MacBook has 2 GB of memory, yet I ran the SDK fine on my 512 MB memory Mac Mini. And other than the Mac itself and the fee to join Apple's Developer Program, the SDK and developing with it is free.


Thanks for the response John. I thought the SDK was 100 bucks? Or is that only if you want to submit the app for sale?

So how do you like your mac book? Im completely new to Macs other than some minimum exposure in college.

[Lincoln]

Thanks for the response John. I thought the SDK was 100 bucks? Or is that only if you want to submit the app for sale?

So how do you like your mac book? Im completely new to Macs other than some minimum exposure in college.

You can sign up as a developer for free on Apple's website, and then in turn download the SDK - currently a 1.25 GB download. However, in order to submit apps you must pay a fee. It was $90 when the SDK launched, but I'm not sure what it is now.

I love my MacBook. I previously had a MacBook Pro, but I dropped it off our deck and it shattered. It has 2 GB of RAM and runs like there's no tomorrow. OS X, is of course, amazing as well - you can say goodbye to fear of viruses, anti-spyware software, and pop-ups demanding you buy that software. The design is amazing too; just icing on the cake.

[iMerlin]

Im starting to get excited which is a bad thing. Usually that means more crap to buy!

[Elbacanazo920]

You'll enjoy it but also keep in mind that there are rumors of "Updates" to Macbooks and iPods in september.

[iMerlin]

You'll enjoy it but also keep in mind that there are rumors of "Updates" to Macbooks and iPods in september.

Thanks Elbacanzo. Up until now I had not heard about that. I really havent been paying attention to that though.
I think Im going to hold off until then so Im not one month behind! I would be really mad if I drop close to 3 grand on the MacBook Pro only to be outdated a month later.

[up10ad]

Get more memory for development, I would splurge on 4GB. You will want to switch apps and spaces a lot, and may even use a VM for some testing. My MBP is a great platform for development and handles load well.

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz

[aenti]

It is going to be cheaper if you upgrade your MBP yourself. Any upgrade done Apple-style will cost you out the wazoo.

[jUeLz23]

yeah i was one of those also that was going to purchase one this month...
but i put it on hold to see what comes in september.

[aenti]

By the way, are you sure you will need a MBP? I'm sure developing for iPhone won't need such a costly upgrade.

Just trying to save you some coin iMerlin.

[up10ad]

I would be careful about getting a less powerful system. Developing on a weenie machine is a pain in the ass, even though it will work. Remember, you will be running a code editor, a compiler, an iPhone emulator and more than likely other stuff as well.

Just my opinion from developing software since 1986 ;)

[aenti]

I would be careful about getting a less powerful system. Developing on a weenie machine is a pain in the ass, even though it will work. Remember, you will be running a code editor, a compiler, an iPhone emulator and more than likely other stuff as well.

Just my opinion from developing software since 1986 ;)

Haha, go for a higher powered system then.
But wouldn't an upgraded MB be just as useful as a MBP?

[up10ad]

It may, I'm not that familiar with them. Memory and CPU are most important to me, followed by screen real estate.

[HBOC]

you can also get a $200 student discount as well...

[aenti]

Yes, if you are a student going into college. Which I don't think iMerlin is (but he could be?).

[NateEssex]

Do you know any teachers? They also get the discount :)

I have a MBP and love it. One of the big differences is the video card you get over a MBook. It was worth it for me.

[iChristian]

if i were you, i'd wait for september to roll around the corner because there are rumors that there will be a new line of macbooks/macbook pros.

[iMerlin]

Yeah, Im definately gonna wait, I just hope September is for real. You know how Apple rumors are. And nothing has been confirmed yet, right?


Initially I thought I would just be doing SDK stuff and Upload is right, there is a lot going on even when developing a simple app.
Not to mention, I love Photoshop. I thought it was crazy expensive to buy (needless to say Ive been living in a free-app world for some time now). Anyway, you guys were talking about discounts. Well I work for a partner company to Apple so we get a discount on the MBP. Then since Im also a student (online counts aenti!! :laugh2: ) I can get the Adobe creative suite for $399. Normally goes for something like $1200. Well since I found that out, I figured Ill need more power if Im going to be running alot of Adobe apps.
Not to mention, Ive bought 4 PCs in my life and never spent the extra coin to upgrade and was always disapointed later.


Another question for you guys though. Did anyone upgrade their screen? Isnt there a couple different screen options, like glossy and matt, and high-res glossy and matt? I keep picturing my iPhone before my anti-glare screen and how I hated those fingerprints and how I am willing to sacifice some resolution for not having to clean my phone constantly... but... Im not going to be putting my big ole paws all over the MBP screen so... I cant decide!

[iChristian]

Wait till September. Bigger and better things to come.

[iChristian]

iMerlin, I have a matte screen and LOVE it. It shows true colors better. And I usually never have to clean my screen and there's never backlight and its never smudgy like it is on glossy screens. I recommend matte but you could get either because both screens have different things to offer. If you hate fingerprints though, matte is for you.

[up10ad]

I've read several forums that talk about this and several users have said that the matte portrays color better. I disagree. Even Apple says

"About glossy and antiglare: Choose the glossy widescreen display to make your graphics, photos, and videos appear with richer colors and deeper blacks — great for watching DVD movies. If you prefer a display with antiglare coating for a matte rather than glossy viewing experience, choose the standard widescreen display."

I have the glossy 17" hi-res and it is fantastic for photos. Granted, the matte finish would be nice when outdoors or in front of a sunlit window, but I prefer having the deeper blacks and vivid colors.

I guess it's kinda like asking paper or plastic?

[iMerlin]

Good info, thanks guys. I usually use my current laptop sitting on my deck or in my yard and I always get POed with the glare and this screen isnt even all that glossy. So maybe Ill have to go with the matte finish.

Now to figure out if I need a Time Capsule! Ive been doing a lot of reading about it and it seems like it would fit my needs and be a repository for all my PCs and my new MBP to do backups to. Ultimately though, I would like a solution to store all of my media files on one drive and let all my computers share that drive so all our copies of iTunes is current and the same. And then have the Time Capsule back up all the computers as well as my media drive. Is that something I can accomplish with a external USB HDD? Anyone know?

[up10ad]

I use Time Capsule with a USB 500GB that also supports Firewire, which I liked better. I use Aperture and keep my photos on my main drive with a backup to my external, but you could certainly put them on the USB drive and share it.

[iMerlin]

Thanks for all the info upload. You've been most helpful.

So lets say I picked up a Time Capsule and a 500gb USB drive. I assume my first step would be to copy all of my music to the 500gb USB drive and then hook up all the rest. But I see problems with this. My main concern is that when I resync my iTunes to the new music folder location, it will lose all the playlists, ratings and everything else Ive set up on my machine. Same concern for my wifes machine.
So is that where the XML file comes into play? Would I copy her current XML file to her desktop, then do the same for mine. Then move the music to the new drive, reimport all the songs back into iTunes, then copy the original XML file back into the iTunes folder? Does that make sense?
Oh, also, could the Time Cap then be used to automatically backup my 500gb USB drive?

Sorry, Ill be done asking questions soon, I think!

[iChristian]

You'll be happy with either screens.

[iMerlin]

You'll be happy with either screens.

I you are right. I just got back from the Apple store and checked out the current MBPs and they had a glossy and matte right next to each other. I actually liked the matte better. I almost walked out with the 17" high res. I was so close. It is so beautiful :laugh2:

I just hate waiting for rumors to substantiate, know what I mean?

[iChristian]

Totally. Here's my main recommendation: just WAIT and see what September has to bring. The minute after they make their announcement and there happens to be no new line of MacBooks (which there most likely will be), go out to that Apple store and buy yourself a Macbook Pro.

[iMerlin]

Totally. Here's my main recommendation: just WAIT and see what September has to bring. The minute after they make their announcement and there happens to be no new line of MacBooks (which there most likely will be), go out to that Apple store and buy yourself a Macbook Pro.


Not a bad idea. Thanks for all the suggestions iChristian.

[iChristian]

No problem man. Good luck and I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever ends up happening.