want to start learning developing ios apps. dont have a mac.

whats the cheapest out there that i can start building apps on?

Cheapest what? Mac computer? Platform? Framework?

@kheftel meant cheapest mac

You're absolute best bet is to buy a refurbished mini Mac.
Like, don't even attempt to program for iOS without a Apple Mac.

@compSci Mac mini*

Yup Mac mini. Or do what I did and use a framework that lets you develop from PC, but you'll still need a Mac to submit to the app store.

@compSci what year model? or any macmini will do?

@noisyass2 preferably one that's capable of running OS X
However, you could get a 2012 one an upgrade the ram.

@kheftel u mean like phonegap or something? i wud still need a mac to test it on an iphone right?

@noisyass2 https://tech.trade/apple-laptops/...

A link to a certified Apple refurbishment company. Not sure where your from but it'll give you an idea on what to look for.

Best of luck.

You could 'potentially' do most of your development ment without a mac, however you will need to sign the app and submit it to the store. If you have frequent access to a mac that has, or could have, xcode installed you could get away with getting one at all, aside from that your cheapest option is a macmini and upgrading the ram/Hdd yourself.

Question/comment.
Couldn't you dual boot with Mac os? If so, anyone know if you would still have problems uploading to the store? I would like to think that if they're checking stats from your local machine it would only pick up os info and not be looking at hardware specs.

To upload to the store, you need a modern Mac with the Application Loader program on it. A hackintosh might work if you can get a modern version of OS X on it.

To program in native code (swift/objc), you need Xcode, which requires OS X.

So a Mac is still the easiest scenario.

I make Adobe air apps (works on iOS and android, programmed in as3) and while I have a Mac now, I was able to develop on PC and test on iphone using adobe's tools. I just couldn't submit to the store from PC.

@kheftel a vm of OSX is easier than a hackintosh. And it can be run on an AMD card. However I cannot 'claim to have person experience' nor can I claim that the process is 'pretty straight forward if you know how to Google and follow a blog tutorial' nor can I claim that 'a VM of OSX actually runs pretty good even on a low end laptop'. I always follow the end user agreement and I would never break the terms of service to Apple that requires OSX only be Installed on Apple labeled hardware. I think it's reasonable for a multimillion dollar company dictate what hardware I can install their software on.

@brettmoan what vm software may work for an OSX vm? I was 'told' virtualbox had problems running osx on an amd processor

@brettmoan hahaha nice :)

@jckimble vmware, but only if you find some batch scripts with enable the functionality. But "I've never done that before no siree". ;)