Question Macbook for building ios games

Hello guys,

I'm just getting started with mobile games and while my pc is enough to build and test for Android I can't do the same for iPhone's or iPad because I don't have a MacBook. As these are very expensive I was wondering if it's possible and future proof to buy a second hand older model for example MacBook Air 2017 13" . Would I be able to publish to the app store with that one? Or already too old. I think I've read somewhere that MacBooks get updates for ios for 5 years so would this one still be able to publish? Or do I need 2019 or 2020 model

 

Apple wants to phase out Intel CPUs when they can. The cheapest I recommend is a M1 or M2 mac mini. They are a lot cheaper than macbooks and should be supported for a long time, because it has apple silicone.

To publish you need to make sure the latest xcode is supported on that mac

 

I found this one relatively cheap

Apple Mac Mini (2023) M2

Just a few questions as I am not familiar with Apple hw. The storage is very small is it possible to connect external ssd storage devices with this Mac mini? And can I hook it to any monitor? Or does it only work with an apple monitor?

 

External SSDs work fine yes, and it can hook to any display afaik.
M2 should be great when starting with iOS development. If possible get the 16GB version, but 8 should run fine as well, especially when working on mobile games and keeping an eye on how many things run in the background

 

16gb costs 250 bucks more in my country I'll think about it thanks. I mean the development will be done on my desktop pc I need the Mac only for building and flashing onto an iPhone or iPad. I've read that on windows it will generate an xcode project which I have to open on the Mac again and build again. It's only for mobile games nothing too big at least for now. If I get enough revenue from Apple store I might think about a MacBook pro

 

You can buy from refurbished Apple stores using drop or forward shipping, from another country that's cheaper. This is often best out of the USA.

Drop or forward shipping is when you order to a shipping location in the USA that then forwards it to you in your country. You may have to pay some taxes in your country, but this often still works out far cheaper than buying in your own country, especially if they don't have the full range of refurbished products in your country.

Apple's warranties are international, even on the refurbished products.

I'm not endorsing this company in any way, and know nothing about the quality of their service, but this is an example of the kind of company that does this:

https://www.myus.com/pricing/

 

Be careful with your choice of RAM. It's not upgradeable, so you might have to buy an entirely new Mac down the road if your project gets big enough.

It was said the super fast SSDs in Apple Silicon Macs would compensate for the paltry amount if RAM (by providing fast swap file memory) but that was a lie: no matter your virtual memory setup, if Unity runs out of actual physical memory on a Mac it will just crash.

 

Hmmm ok thanks for the warning I might go for 16gb to be future proof but that damn thing is just ridiculously expensive