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Areeda

Areeda

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Areeda
I have a few cross-platform java apps and would like to get a Mac for testing.

It needs to be new enough to run Java 1.6.x and at least 1GB preferably 2 of RAM, and hard wired ethernet otherwise pretty much any config will do.

Any idea where I could find one of these things and how much I should budget?

Thanks,
Joe
 
so r we talking a mac 128. I have one from the 70's
 
Areeda said:
I have a few cross-platform java apps and would like to get a Mac for testing.

It needs to be new enough to run Java 1.6.x and at least 1GB preferably 2 of RAM, and hard wired ethernet otherwise pretty much any config will do.

Any idea where I could find one of these things and how much I should budget?

Thanks,
Joe
Click to expand...

Check out craigslist in your area. Or see if you can find a Mac user group locally. Or,

http://macenthusiasts.com/
 
How much do you want to spend Joe?

A quick Google search shows you're going to need at least Mac OS X 10.5.2 to run Java 1.6+. You'll want to look for a machine that already comes with at least 10.5 (Leopard), as it gets expensive to buy it separately.
 
Sticky1 said:
so r we talking a mac 128. I have one from the 70's
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Will it run Leopard 10.5.2 or better?

Steve Foley said:
google hackintosh
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I've heard of it. I'll read up more. Can I buy the OS without a computer?
murphey said:
Check out craigslist in your area. Or see if you can find a Mac user group locally. Or,

http://macenthusiasts.com/
Click to expand...
Rental is an option I didn't think of. Mac Enthusiasts is pretty close to my old house. I've used them in the past when I actually did Mac development (pre OSX).

rpadula said:
How much do you want to spend Joe?
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Well nothing Rich but I realize I may have to compromise on that.

rpadula said:
A quick Google search shows you're going to need at least Mac OS X 10.5.2 to run Java 1.6+. You'll want to look for a machine that already comes with at least 10.5 (Leopard), as it gets expensive to buy it separately.
Click to expand...
Thanks for looking that up for me.

Joe
 
Areeda said:
Well nothing Rich but I realize I may have to compromise on that.
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LOL. I get it, but any parameters on the high side?

For example, you can get a refurbed Mac Mini at the Apple store for $599 + tax:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC270LL/A

Comes with a full Apple warranty. You'll have to supply your own USB keyboard, mouse, & display, but I suspect that won't be an issue for you.

My other guess would be to check out LowEndMac. That site has lots of info about, well, less-expensive Macs.



Areeda said:
Thanks for looking that up for me.
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You're welcome. I was actually curious about it myself, since I remember Apple just announced that they were deprecating Java and ceasing work on it:

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/22/steve-jobs-comments-on-apples-java-discontinuation/
 
rpadula said:
you can get a refurbed Mac Mini at the Apple store for $599 + tax:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC270LL/A

Comes with a full Apple warranty. You'll have to supply your own USB keyboard, mouse, & display, but I suspect that won't be an issue for you.
Click to expand...

That's what I was going to suggest as a benchmark - If you can get something that sounds like a good deal in comparison to a refurb Mini, take it.

FWIW, the Apple "refurb" machines generally aren't old models, they're usually returns and are brand new. After hearing of others' excellent experiences with them, I bought a refurb this last time around. I don't think I'll ever buy a "new" one again!
 
Looking at the prices, I think my wife might get a Mac for Christmas instead of me having another test system that I don't use much.

Joe
 
flyingcheesehead said:
FWIW, the Apple "refurb" machines generally aren't old models, they're usually returns and are brand new. After hearing of others' excellent experiences with them, I bought a refurb this last time around. I don't think I'll ever buy a "new" one again!
Click to expand...

The older ones sometimes pop up. For instance, there is an older gen Mini on there right now for $499:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC238LL/A?mco=MTU5MTc1MzI

(and *poof* 15 minutes later, it is gone. but it'll be back)

However, if I were buying a Mini, I'd prefer the newer, thinner, aluminum one. But cheaper is cheaper.
 
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About 2 years ago, I did some iPhone app development. Of course, you need a Mac to run iphone SDK tools. I didn't have one, and found that a Mac Mini was the best cost point. I sold the Mac mini not quite a year later for about $80 less than I paid for it. That's a pretty nice deal.



Areeda said:
I have a few cross-platform java apps and would like to get a Mac for testing.

It needs to be new enough to run Java 1.6.x and at least 1GB preferably 2 of RAM, and hard wired ethernet otherwise pretty much any config will do.

Any idea where I could find one of these things and how much I should budget?

Thanks,
Joe
Click to expand...
 
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