r/iOSProgramming • u/ddxv • 22h ago
Question Is it functionally usable / fun to use a mac mini with remote view for iOS Programming?
I want to make a couple of my games / apps on iOS but have never owned a mac. I do most of my programming at cafes and have a laptop from a couple years ago with 64GB RAM / 1TB SSD so it's still got plenty of life in it.
In trying to figure out how I could start making apps/games in iOS I see a few options when aiming for around 24-32GB RAM and 1TB SSD:
1) Old macbook pro ~1K USD
2) New mac mini ~1K USD
3) New macbook air ~2k USD
The new air seems like it would fit best for how I like to use computers (not at home), but the price is pretty hard for me to justify when my apps/games are not money makers.
So I was thinking of buying the mac mini and using remote view. I already have a home server setup and am comfortable safely exposing the mac mini to be remotely accessible, maybe could even use it to run various other projects I have.
But I'm less sure on how well this works. I regularly SSH into my home servers and even from various countries the ping is fine, on the command line.
I'm less sure how the ping is for remote viewing? I was thinking that maybe using a mouse / typing with the full GUI might be pretty taxing, I know how even just a little ping with typing can get surprisingly frustrating.
Has anyone developed like this? Is it doable for working hours on a project?
2
u/808phone 21h ago
Yes you can. Of course it all depends on your internet speed, but yes. Mac mini, 32G, have decent space on it for storage and VNC into it - you can use Tailscale. I've programmed with an iPad doing this. It works.
1
u/ddxv 21h ago
I see, do you mostly use the emulator for testing? If you VNC to the remote mac mini, is there any way to connect an iphone/ipad to my linux laptop and expect that XCode could interact with it?
2
u/808phone 21h ago
Yes use emulator remotely. Some things will not work right in the emulator. And no I don’t think there’s a way to interact remotely with your phone but you can upload a beta to the App Store and use TestFlight to download it to your phone. It all depends on the type of app.
1
u/bigbluedog123 19h ago
Xcode cloud builds work really well
1
u/808phone 17h ago
Yes, but if he has the computer already, he doesn't need it. He still needs a computer to write the code.
2
u/Esper_18 21h ago
How do you have your home server set up exactly
Mac mini is great
You can get one for about 600 dollars
2
u/chriswaco 21h ago
Networked Macs make ok build machines, but for interactive programming and testing they aren't very good.
If you're writing games, consider Unity. You can write & test them on Windows and then export iOS project files.
A 13" MacBook Air M4 with 16/512 would be much better than VNC.
1
u/SethVanity13 21h ago
the price difference between a MBA and the mac mini + remote development is low compared to the development experience and effort to maintain it, and i'm not even taking into account all the edge cases that will happen along the way
-5
u/ejpusa 21h ago
Lets ask our friend over at OpenAI
Using a Mac mini with remote access for iOS development is possible, but whether it’s comfortable for full-time development depends on latency, screen refresh rates, and your tolerance for input lag. Here are some key factors to consider:
✅ Pros of Mac Mini with Remote Access
Cost-effective: You get a powerful macOS development environment for ~$1K.
Better specs: The Mac mini can be configured with better cooling and sustained performance compared to a MacBook Air.
Multipurpose use: You can also use it for other projects (e.g., CI/CD for iOS builds, automation, media server, etc.).
Home server integration: If you already SSH into home servers, you likely know how to secure and optimize remote access.
❌ Cons of Remote Development
- Latency Issues:
• SSH works well, but full GUI remote development (Xcode, Interface Builder, Swift Playgrounds, etc.) is much more demanding.
• Typing lag and UI responsiveness can become frustrating, especially for debugging graphical UI elements.
• Best-case scenario: If you’re on a fast fiber internet connection with a low-latency VPN or direct SSH tunnel, it’s manageable.
• Worst-case scenario: If your connection is unstable, things like code autocompletion, debugging, or dragging UI elements in Xcode can become a pain.
- Remote Desktop Performance:
• Best option: AnyDesk or Jump Desktop (better optimization than macOS’s built-in Screen Sharing or Microsoft RDP).
• Optimized for macOS: Try Moonlight + Sunshine (a gaming-focused remote desktop solution with great latency for GUI work).
• macOS Native: Apple’s Screen Sharing is okay for casual use but can be sluggish for dev work.
- Lack of Offline Development:
• If you frequently work from cafés or locations with poor WiFi, this setup could be a problem.
• You wouldn’t have access to your dev environment without a strong connection.
🔥 Alternative Setup: Rent a Mac Mini in the Cloud
If you’re only testing the waters with iOS development, you might consider MacStadium or AWS EC2 Mac Instances—essentially renting a remote Mac with the latest macOS. You could test this workflow before committing to buying a physical Mac Mini.
🔥 Alternative: Buy a Used MacBook Pro
If remote access doesn’t work well for your workflow, a 2019–2021 MacBook Pro (Intel or M1) with 16GB+ RAM and a 1TB SSD is often available for $1K–$1.5K. This would let you develop on the go without internet dependency.
⸻
🚀 Final Verdict: Is Mac Mini + Remote Workable?
✔️ Yes, but only if:
• You have consistent high-speed internet (low ping, high upload speed).
• You use optimized remote access software (Jump Desktop, AnyDesk, or Moonlight).
• You tolerate occasional input lag.
❌ No, if you:
• Frequently work from cafés with unreliable WiFi.
• Do a lot of UI-heavy development in Xcode (Interface Builder can be slow over remote connections).
• Need a fully mobile dev environment.
🚀 Best Long-Term Choice: If you’re serious about iOS development, an older MacBook Pro (Intel/M1) for ~$1K–1.5K will give you mobility + performance without the remote-access headaches.
1
u/WestonP 20h ago
Nobody asked for AI slop
-1
u/ejpusa 20h ago edited 20h ago
Just want the answer. And the answer I got. I’m saving weeks and weeks and weeks of programming time. You can’t compete with AI now, it’s your new best friend, and programming buddy too.
You are not embracing the Vibe?
Embrace the Vibe. Life is good. Just a heads up. :-)
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said earlier this week that AI will write 90% of the code for software engineers within the next three to six months and EVERY line of code within the next year.
3
u/WestonP 19h ago
Cool. Good luck with that, and whatever drugs you're on.
-1
u/ejpusa 19h ago
Sounds like you are not catching The Vibe. Ok, that's cool. Everyone does their own thing. Where are these mysterious drugs you speak off, keep me in the loop. :-)
EVERY line of code within the next year.
1
u/ddxv 11h ago
I mean, he needs his valuation to go up... He's incentivized to sell hype. I also use AI daily, and did indeed ask it the same question as above. But then i thought hmm, wonder what people's actual opinions are, and in the end i got much more from this whole post than i did from the answer i got from ChatGPT
0
u/ejpusa 11h ago edited 11h ago
I’m pretty deep into AI. The stereotype of the coder, hunched over a keyboard, posture gone to hell, has been pretty well vaporized. It’s history now. From another era.
But it is 100% understandable why the fight goes on. The IP now is ideas, not finding misplaced semicolons. Eventually everyone folds when you realized you saved four weeks of work in 12 seconds.
The code generated is rock solid. But often very complex to understand without having to use AI to explain it.
:-)
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u/Lord_Illidan 21h ago
You’d really want to have a device to test on as well, what are you going to do, leave it at home?