Ask HN:Xcode on new mac air with SSD?

7 pointsashleyreddy15y ago6 comments

I was considering getting the new Macbook Air with SSD. Does anyone have one running Xcode? If so how is the performance? Any Pros/Cons?

6 comments

6 comments · 3 top-level

Zev15y ago· 3 in thread

I use a MBP with an SSD for iPhone dev. The only difference is the screen size; 15" vs whatever size you have for the Air.

Xcode runs much faster now. Its still going to be the slowest (and largest) application you'll load (besides iTunes). But, it doesn't feel as heavy anymore.

Builds are much faster for me; one project used to take > 2m30s to build and now builds in just over 1m (between getting an SSD and switching from gcc-4.2 to clang).

half_brick15y ago

The 13" Air has the same resolution as the 15" MBP; so the screen size probably wouldn't make too much difference.

ashleyreddyOP15y ago

Thats great info? BTW have you tried Windows in a VM on it?

Zev15y ago

Thats great info?

I wasn't quite sure what you were asking, so I went with a generalized response. If you want more info (Xbench, etc), please ask (here, or in email if you prefer). I figured since you were asking about Xcode and the SSD, rather than the screen size specifically, I might be able to answer your questions.

BTW have you tried Windows in a VM on it?

Only briefly. I spend more time running a VM of Slackware. I don't notice any slowdown in using it and it does seem faster than before. But, I haven't done any benchmarking (since I don't have a "before" to compare it to).

corysama15y ago

I use a 2.4Ghz MB for iPhone dev. I'd love to have a smaller laptop with an SSD, but my games are very, very shader heavy. They run fine on the iPhone4, but the software gpu emulation in the simulator chugs on my machine. I don't expect that 1.6Ghz will be usable for my situation...

For everyone else, the SSD should more than compensate for the old CPU. My Win7 box at home has an Intel SSD and it is like butter.

zekel15y ago

Just got mine today. Very interested in this.

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