Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 69 posts

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

#41

Post by schoen »

m3rc wrote: post #36
phmagic wrote: post #29

I've tried many Hackintosh options out there years ago specifically to get started developing on iOS. While I think many machines can run Mac, I gave up on Hackintosh for iOS development mainly because: 1. Opportunity cost - The time you spend on hackintosh could be spent exploring the iOS SDK. It is an extensive and amazing SDK to work with. 2. Need to embrace the platform - I once hated the fact that you had to get…

Why would needing to purchase the hardware somehow change your opinion on hating iOS for not being more open?

I think the idea is that the tying of the software and hardware is a cornerstone of Apple's proprietary platform control efforts, so if you're upset about that, you're likely to be upset about the other aspects too.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

#42

Post by FireBeyond »

niftylettuce wrote: post #32

Don't bother with a Hackintosh. I've spent time R&D iDeneb and custom Tony Mac OS X builds, and realize it's way easier (and cheaper, especially in terms of time) to simply buy an entry level Macbook Air or Pro (honestly an Air is fine enough if you're not doing video editing, I got by using one for 3+ years before I got a Pro). To get the best deal you can either purchase from eBay (use cashback at TopCashback.com a…

For desktops, it can be pretty straightforward to install, but not always update. I used to run one for a couple of years.

For laptops, absolutely agreed. Configuring a Hack is always going to be painful.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

#45

Post by rickyc091 »

Having used a hackintosh (Surface Pro) as a secondary machine to my Mac, I don't recommend it for everyone.

* You won't be able to update to the latest patches without possibly breaking the build. There's a possibly you need to re-hack your device every year. Xcode is tied directly to Mac OS X builds. For example, you can't download 8.1 unless your own Sierra right now.

* WiFi / Bluetooth didn't work for my particular hackintosh, but it'll be better for others.

* Graphics were a bit buggy (again not a problem depending on the device).

* Login would fritz out on occasion so I'd have to boot into safe mode to fix it. Could be my particular device, but random problems are common with hackintoshs.

* When it worked it was amazing, touchscreen worked as well.

* iMessage / FaceTime will not work unless you hack it and provide it your Mac's serial number. Do this at your own risk. This could essentially break iMessage on your original mac. I think I ended up emailing them or something to get it looked into / fixed.

* App Store has some issues as well as lot of things are tied into the serial number of the Mac.

* If you enjoy fiddling and hacking on things, I'd recommend this. It was a good learning experience for me and I don't regret it, but I wouldn't want to do it again. I ended up having to modify some kernel files to get some things working. Basically a lot of tinkering from one patch to another.

Having done it once, I wouldn't go the hackintosh route again. While I enjoyed the process, the amount of time I spent to get it work wasn't worth it for me. If price was an issue, it's definitely a good route.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

#46

Post by fulafel »

adamors wrote: post #30
edko wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The source is the license agreement for macOS. It explicitly says that the software is licensed to run on Apple branded computers. If you run it elsewhere you are running it unlicensed. Can you also provide a source? Would your acquaintances mind if you provided links to the apps they have developed with their Hackintoshes for years?

If you are talking about the Apple EULA, that is not enforceable in the EU.

That loophole was an argument back when you could buy a copy of OS X on DVD, but is there any current way of obtaining a legal copy of OS X separately?

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

#47

Post by st3v3r »

cloudjacker wrote: post #23
edko wrote: post #3

If you are a professional app developer (you make a living out of it) then Hackintosh is a bad alternative. It can get your developer account, and apps, banned by Apple. On top of that, you can get sued.

Getting sued isn't the end of the world The risk is $400 of hardware and a $99 dev account for the possibility of making way more than that releasing your own apps and making that much on a daily basis developing apps for other people. Risk meet Reward

If you're gonna do that, develop for Android, and don't worry about running unlicensed stuff.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

#48

Post by intrasight »

I'm considering the same. But since you need a Mac to build a Hackintosh, I decided to buy a used Mac for $500. I'll still probably build my Hackintosh, but It'll be for fun hacking reasons. And it's a NUC so I don't expect it to be too challenging.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

#49

Post by xenihn »

I would honestly just buy a used Oct 2013 15" MBP instead. A used one should run you under $1000 now that the new MBPs are coming out.

I currently have one that I bought in 2014, and I can drive a 4k display (Dell P2715Q) with a large storyboard file open in xcode, along with the laptop display itself at the highest scaled resolution. I think this is a pretty good benchmark for whether or not a system is good enough.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Hackintosh laptop for ios app developers?

#50

Post by xyclos »

niftylettuce wrote: post #32

Don't bother with a Hackintosh. I've spent time R&D iDeneb and custom Tony Mac OS X builds, and realize it's way easier (and cheaper, especially in terms of time) to simply buy an entry level Macbook Air or Pro (honestly an Air is fine enough if you're not doing video editing, I got by using one for 3+ years before I got a Pro). To get the best deal you can either purchase from eBay (use cashback at TopCashback.com a…

You can also get a refurbished macbook pro or imac straight from apple for less than a new macbook air http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac
Post reply on HN