Devices / hardware for developing iOS games.

[Popcorn]

Hey, I need some advice here.
I don't have any Apple products at all. What is minimum recommended hardware / devices if I want to start making iOS games?

My main question:
Do I need both an iPhone and an iPad if I want to make and test games for both?

Also, I have read Jeff's iOS Export Module: Requirements and limitations thread, but feel I need some more info.
I understand that I need a Mac to transfer the games to. What is the minimum requirements here (cheapest alternative)?

[mikec]

I would say you need at least an ipod touch for testing. If it works on the ipod touch then it should be fine on the iphone. You can get by without an ipad by using the simulator.

I would say you need a intel mac capable of running osx lion to be future proof. A used laptop might be the cheaper option. I bit the bullet and bought a new imac and sold my windows pc to help cover the cost. I now run windows on the mac using parallels

[Popcorn]

Thanks alot, Mikec! That's helpful information
I hadn't even thought about the iPod touch.

[JasonDarby]

Yeah an ipod touch is a good recommentation for a starter device, especially if you already have a phone.

For desktop, some people use mac laptops, but mac mini's are pretty good on price and worth a look also.

[mikec]

If you go for a mac mini used or any used mac remember it needs to be at least Intel, Mac OS X 10.7 or later

[Popcorn]

Thanks both of you!
I guess I'll wish myself an iPod touch for christmas then, and try to grab a cheap used mac mini from the web

[Keith]

I have an older Mac Mini that gets used about 5% of the process of creating apps (to archive and submit my apps and occasionally to write the Objective-C version of Extensions). I do everything else on my Windows PC. As for devices, I highly suggest you go with a bottom line iPhone 3GS and a top of the line device such as an iPad 2 to see not only the variance of performance of your app on different devices, but to also see how it reacts at different resolutions.

[Popcorn]

Do I really need Mac OS 10.7? In the requirements post it says that Snow Leopard is needed, and that is 10.6 am I not right?
And if I get a used Mac with OS 10.6.8 for instance, is an upgrade to 10.7 easy?
Thanks for the suggestions, Keith!

[mikec]

According to apple xcode 4 needs 10.7


WHAT'S NEW
Version 4.2.1:
This update addresses a number of stability issues, including the following:

Fixes an issue where the "Convert to Objective-C ARC" operation would not complete.
Resolves a problem that resulted in no visible developer profiles in the Organizer.
Corrects an erroneous locked file dialog appearing in the documentation window.
Features and enhancements in more...
REQUIREMENTS
Intel, Mac OS X 10.7 or later

I found the update to lion easy so i would say yes, but you may have to pay

[Popcorn]

Ok, thanks for making that clear!