Xcode development on Windows/Linux: Mac In Cloud or VPNing to your Mac Mini? What's the difference?

Question

My Mac got stolen today. So now I only have my Microsoft Surface left. The problem is: I need to develop iPhone and iPad apps and I'm not too high in funds. I am now looking for an affordable and reliable way to develop iPhone and iPad apps that isn't too costly (so no new laptop). So I was wondering what all the legal ways of developing iPhone and iPad apps via a windows machine are.

I looked into: - Hackintosh (not legal)

I briefly looked into (also via SO):

• Mac In Cloud

• VPN to a Mac Mini

• Using other frameworks (seems tricky, I won't do this)

• Buying a second hand MacBook or Mac Mini (seems tricky to since it is second hand)

My first question is: are there any other legal ways to develop Xcode apps on Windows? I think the answer is no (I just leave it here in case it isn't). So lets look at the real question at hand.

How feasible is it to use services such as Mac In Cloud or your own Mac Mini and VPN? When should I just develop directly on a Mac?

Also, is there a real difference between services like Mac In Cloud and your own setup, besides the obvious point that you access a pre-configured Mac in the cloud?

Answer 1

As it was sometimes pointed over articles in the internet, Mac in Cloud faces some performance issues. This article refers to may '2012, but can be considered nowadays as a point of concern.

On the other hand, taking in consideration that a brand new Mac Mini costs US$ 599,00 today in its most basic configuration, this value would suffice to pay for Mac in Cloud service for almost 3 years, if you stick to the most basic montly plan of 3-hours-a-day usage (and pay quarterly):

I'm not sure if this price is an advantage for you. As I live in Brazil, we face much higher prices: the price charged for Mac Mini here would suffice to pay for Mac In Cloud for almost 5 years - in fact, that's exactly the service I plan to use for my IOS needs.

On the other hand, it would be advisable to at least try to use a second hand Mac, if the price is interesting.

Answer 2

Best bet is to sell your surface and buy a used Macbook Pro 2011 from craigslist, i look up and researched all those ways, they never work as good as having a dedicated mac. They always remind you that you don't have a mac. Save yourself the agony...