Software development

15" or 17" MacBook Pro? Options?

What about a Mac Mini?

Demonstrating at interview could be a bit messy. Besides, I hear that they're not good value for money.

No Mac is good value for money. But if you already have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor then a Mini is cheaper than a MacBook (even if you don't, those items are pretty cheap) - and you'll get a bigger display. I can't imagine using Xcode on anything less than a 19" monitor. And life would be very difficult with a trackpad instead of a mouse.

I take your point about interviews, but I'm sure they would have a monitor and keyboard you could use. And a Mac Mini is actually more portable than a MacBook.

Anyone that says that a Mac isn't good value for money is wrong in my opinion. I said to myself a few years ago that I'd never move to Mac & that they're too expensive, however after taking the plunge after visiting the Apple Store, I can say I'd never go back to a PC.

I currently have an iPod, iPad, iPhone, iMac & a MacBook Pro 13" - suffice to say that these are the best bits of technology I have spent my money on.

I use Xcode quite frequently for iOS application development - it works grand on a 13" MBP however I could use that extra bit of screen real estate and I think 15" would be just right.

Be sure to get educational discount even if you aren't a student.

Unconnected with your question, but if you are looking at iOS programming, can I recommend the excellent series of lectures iPad and iPhone Application Programming from Stanford on the iTunes University.

Duff advice Mick. I'd be pretty fed up if somebody turned up wanting a keyboard and a screen.

Obviously. They moan if you ask for an Internet connection. I'd probably need 3G as well.

I appreciate your need for a laptop. I wouldn't recommend a 13" screen for Xcode, but maybe your eyesight is better than mine. And you'll need the biggest screen that you can afford if you are going to use it for demos without plugging in to an external monitor. I must say that if someone was demonstrating software to me I'd expect them to use a proper monitor rather than having to crowd round a laptop.

I still recommend you have a look at that course on iOS development.

You haven't heard of projectors?

I'm glad you see my point. You need something external - a projector or a monitor - so the advantages of a laptop are illusory.

Your experience of using XCode may differ from mine but I find a Mac Mini with a decent monitor a far better proposition than a laptop with a 13 or 15" display. With XCode real estate is at a premium.

My mistake - when you were referring to Monitors and people crowding around a laptop, I didn't realise that you actually meant a projector.

Read the post more carefully next time.

Dead on. It's like those old "Spot the Goalposts" competions from last century.

Indeed, your mistake. External screen, external projector - no difference. Either means that a laptop is of no advantage. And at less than half the price I would say the Mini is well worth considering. You could even afford an Air as well, if you need portability, and still end up spending less thna buying a 17" MacBook Pro.

But, rather than just criticizing everyone else, tell us about your experiences developing with XCode. Do you find a 15" screen sufficient?

When in a hole, it is better to stop digging. I'm sorry that you didn't know about projectors, but they have been around for a while and are certainly the norm where I work.

I have a 15" (early 2011) - Apple offer a high resolution (1680x1050) screen for the 15, whereas the 13" is stuck with quite low resolutions. The 15" is a bit heavier though.

I went with the high resolution and anti-glare, which gives the silver surround as on the MacBook Air range, rather than the black surround you see on the website. I prefer it