Hey guys,
Not really music related, but I have a heap of ideas for phone apps.
I'm a PC/Android user, but some of these apps I want to also put on the Apple app store.
Will be using Xcode to build the apps for Apple, and this only works on a Desktop or MacBook.
I only have an ipad which I use for drawing. That's the only Apple product I own. So I can test the apps on that.
I'm after recommendations on what will do a decent enough job for Xcode to do it's thing easily and not lag and take forever.
I will only be using this laptop for creating apps. Nothing else.
If anyone with Mac knowledge can point me in the right direction of a model/year of a macbook that will do what I need, I'd appreciate the advice.
I will be looking on ebay or Computer stores selling 2nd hand/refurbished laptops only as there is no way I can afford a new one.
As I said, building apps will be the only thing I do on this computer.
Keen to see what recommendations you have.
Cheers.

 

Wouldn't go for less then M1 Macbook Air 16/512, you can score those second hand from 500 to 700 bucks, depends on battery life, 700 bucks should get you pretty much 100% battery life and mint condition.

It's my personal preference, but M1 Air is perfect laptop to carry around and actually use on the lap, ergonomics are second to none, I have been using it as my main machine for few years and I'm pretty much set to get 16/512 as second one and never buy any laptop again, tried M2 and it's just not the same feel, but we are all different, preferences and all that.

Battery life on this thing is amazing, even after few years it can handle 6-8 hours without a problem, I'm at 83% and 275 cycles.

Overall, think this is best laptop Apple ever made and for non demanding users it's a perfect choice, again, personal preferences and all that.

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2026 at 10:46 AM

MacBook Air M1 (2020) Avoid models from before 2020 to ensure compatibility.

 

pick a Mac that can run the latest macOS, not just one with the biggest numbers on paper. Most of the developer tools you will be using always like the newest version of MacOS.

 

Thanks for the fast replies.
Sees like a MacBook M1 Air is the go.
Does this deal look good?
https://ebay.us/m/xLgzX5

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2026 at 11:22 AM

It sure does for those specs, my friend got one just like that recently and payed about that amount, it's hard to beat it at that price really. It's 8/256, dunno if you are going to need more RAM or SSD for coding, but if anything, you can always sell it for that same amount and get something stronger, really good deal.

 

you will need apple silicon and latest MacOS in order to develop apps using latest Xcode,
I know you explicitly stated MacBook, but base model Apple Mac Mini (M4, 16GB memory) is hard to beat,

any MacBook Air doesn't even have a cooling fan, so it will overheat and throttle down in longer builds it's not even a serious consideration for any developer,

good value could also be used M2 Max Mac Studio (or MacBook Pro) as it has at least 32GB memory with much higher bandwidth, as well as storage and 10Gbe network built-in, but that's a different price level

 

I really do not see the point in any laptop, unless you actually need a laptop for some specific reason. They just end up folded up and connected to a large monitor the entire time you are not mobile and using it. Laptop trackpads and keyboards are a poor situation ergonomically if you are programming anything. Anything in Terminal is no fun on a laptop monitor either, even if it is a Retina.

But sometimes you really do need a laptop, like if you travel a lot. But a new M4 mini "base" model right now is 24gb ram, 250gb internal ssd, with gigabit ethernet, more thunderbolt ports, for about $530. They were $479 over the holidays.

 

This^ I've seen used M1 Mac Minis 16GB/512GB for $200 usd on FB. M1 is still crazy power full.

 

Agree, if you are going to use it on a desk or hooked up to external monitor, then just get the Mini M4.