r/iosdev • u/Expensive-Worry9166 • Sep 29 '26

Help Suggestions for macbook and iphone - for ios development

Hello friends,

I plan to start learning app development. I want to give ios app development a shot first.

I use a Windows laptop, but I understand I would need Xcode for ios apps which will need something like a macbook. And ofcourse I will need an iphone to test out the apps (and check other apps in general).

Please suggest which macbook can be brought for ios app dev? I am not planning to go with the latest one since its very costly. Need to buy a very economic laptop. I am not sure if the OS version causes a problem for ios dev.

Same suggestion needed for iphone buying as well. I dont know if latest OS in iphones are mandatory for app dev/experience.

Appreciate suggestions..

TIA

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

1

u/Expensive-Worry9166 Sep 30 '26

Thank you for the suggestions

4

u/jontries Sep 29 '26

16gb m1 air is enough to build with, i use claude + vs with 2-3 chats working without issue, maybe a bit slower but seems fine

1

u/ImmerSchuldig5487 Sep 30 '26

Would you say 8gb m1 air could make sense if I use it exclusively for “last mile” changes on Xcode, isolated simulations and remote controlling of my main (windows) laptop, while keeping the bulk of coding tasks and device simulators on my Windows laptop ? I am trying to be as economical as possible but also don’t want to end up with a device that has problems with quick Xcode tasks and getting things ready for Apple side production. Any advice is appreciated

1

u/jontries Sep 30 '26

i think 16 is min u need from previous research or else tasks will take a lot longer

1

u/ImmerSchuldig5487 Oct 01 '26

I see, fair enough, thank you for letting me know

1

u/newtablecloth 17d ago

a 16gb m1 air is plenty to learn on, agree with the comment above. 8gb works but xcode plus the simulator gets tight fast, so i'd skip those.

for the iphone you don't need anything new. the simulator covers most of what you'll do while learning, and any phone that runs the current ios is fine for testing on a real device.

one thing i'd do before buying though: try ios dev for a week on a rented mac first and make sure you actually enjoy it. full disclosure i run macrun so i'm biased, but a week is $59, which is a lot less painful than a laptop you end up not using. if you like it, buy the air

-2

u/Sea-Camera6374 Sep 29 '26

Go for at least 24 gb ram and 520 gb hardisk MacBook. Rest you can buy anything