Ok so after downloading Eclipse and configuring it my memory is almost 100% capacity. Tidied up any file I could freed up about 3.5GB but still can't seem to run the Eclipse program or find it in my programs list. Also it was really slow in down loading. Machine is over five years old so would I be as well upgrading (100GB Memory) I know this is like turning up at a track day and asking other drivers should I buy a new car, but I would appreciate some advice. Thanks Alan

Get a used Mac so you can do iPhone apps too :)

As Chris says, get a mac. Its expensive, but a 5-year old mac is much better than a brand new PC. On a mac, you can do Android and iOS

i bought a new mac mini for 600 which isnt bad at all, works great for both eclipse and xcode

Buy a Mac! LOL: 4 advices, 1 unanimity... Who'll take the challenge to recommend buying a Windows machine? ;-) P.-S. I'm not a member of any Apple sect, I just use the tools fit for me...

Thanks folks you've cleared that up fairly decisively for me. @fusionch I could have sworn I could hear the rustle of a tumble weed after you posed your challenge Looks like I'll be an Apple man. Now just need to find a clear one not too expensive. Any tips on what I should be looking for? Alan

Any new Mac, or a used one supporting OS X 10.7.4 or higher, I guess! Not a too old one, so as to be able to install the latest version of Xcode if you wish to author for iOS.

These models of Macintosh support the Newest Macintosh Operating System: iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) Xserve (Early 2009) MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) Cheers! -- Smug

That's a very comrehensive list for me there. Thanks Smug

I was in a similar position about a month ago, bought a MacBook Air 13", and am a happy camper now. First time Mac user, I can do both eclipse and Xcode. Everything just works, no complications, easy to use, and you'll have everything you need in a single platform. Go for it, you´ll thank yourselve many times later for doing it. Good Luck in your decision!

Pancho thanks a million. I've been looking already for my new mac. Does it matter which one I get, or is it just a case of deciding mobilty, battery functions etc. REALLY feel like the new kid in town now!!!

To be honest, I would only buy these three macs: - MacBook Pro (if you want a laptop) - iMac (the ultimate of ultimates) - Mac mini (it's cheap) The Macbook Air is not powerful enough for serious work. Since the 13inch MacBook Air costs the same as a 13inch MacBook Pro, I would get that if I were wanting a desktop. I chose to get the ultimate all-in-one = the iMac. I bought it a year ago and I have no regrets. It's seriously powerful, quick and very speedy. If I were going to get a mac for a desk, I'd definately get the iMac! You may want to get the older iMac which was made from 2009, because it has a CD drive, unlike the new thin ones. The Mac Mini is for mac users on a budget. If you already have a TV, then you can plug the Mac-mini into this. However, you must note that TV pixels are designed for viewing at least one metre away. If you use this as a computer monitor, the quality won't be very good. Have a look at the Apple Refurbished site. I always buy from here. It's still officially Apple. but just the out of date model and it's discounted. Here's a link to their Ireland site: http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

Annandale you've helped me out hugely there I've been putting a new computer purchase off for quite some time so I might pony up for the iMac Thanks again

In today's world, where everyone is hardly at home, I recommend a laptop. It helps when you join a local user group or computer club. It helps when you want to visit Clients. I really cannot imagine a world where I am tied down to a desk with a computer. The screen resolution is something to consider. When comparing a MacBook Air (MBA) with a MacBook Pro (MBP), look at the pixels. Then consider the screen-size afterwards. For now, stay away from the oh-so-sexy MacBook Pro Retina. The Graphics Processor Unit (GPU) is not strong enough to handle all those pixels at a decent Frames Per Second (FPS) rate. Apple has done marvelous engineering to make the MBP-R be a decent computer, but most people should wait for the 2nd generation of that breed. Let the computer debates ensue! :-) Congratulations for making the decision to get an Apple-branded machine. You won't regret it. -- Niraj

Dear Niraj Thanks for the input. When you said consider the pixels, I take it more is better. How will I be sure the GPU is as good as it needs to be or is that just an issue you've encountered with the MBP-R Alan

Niraj, when you say 'computer debate' you mean the debate on which Macintosh is the best? ;) When the Mac got the intel processor, that was the end of the hunt. I spit and curse at Apple corporation, but god how I love their stuff. I do own a PC or two, but they are dedicated purpose machines that I developed software for. Most times, even when I'm 'on a pc', I'm doing VMWare on my Mac. Cheers! -- Smug

Well Smug to say that this is a one sided debate on PC vs Mac is definitely an understatement. (Akin to saying Ireland didn't do great in the rugby yesterday) I do take Niraj's point on the portability issue, but when I'm trying to get the most for my money, the imac does seem to give better value. I know I'm tied to one location but I could count fairly easily how many times I've brought my current laptop home. But then if I get the hang of the whole app building thing..agh!!

You will be fine with any Mac's GPU as long as you don't intend on playing games such as Halo, etc. It is time for you to grab a pint or have a dram as you wrestle with your wallet and your desires ... ;-) Desk-bound and stationary or mobile and free to roam? Sorry, that wasn't fair of me! Do take a look at the used and refurbished marketplace for unibody aluminum MacBook Pro 13" or a MacBook Air 11". Make sure it has an Intel Core iX type of CPU, nothing older. The current and previous generations of the MBA 11" is a fine choice. Be aware the MBA's RAM Memory nor it's Flash drive are upgradeable. If you get an MBA, choose a more expensive one with 128GB Flash and 4GB of RAM. Macs last forever, you'll want to future proof yourself. The MBP can be upgraded with more RAM for cheap. A bigger-faster hard-drive for a few bucks more. Don't let those things deter you from a good value with those specs. Why a smaller screen size? With a laptop, you can use your current Monitor to have a two-screen computer! The Monitor will be at a higher resolution for the Xcode / Eclipse stuff. The laptop screen can be your Simulator, eMail and Social windows. With that dual-monitor feature clincher, we have a buyer! Laptop coming your way soon! :-) -- Niraj

I would seriously recommend the MacBook Pro over the MacBook Air. The Air is sexier, but a guy at my meetup has a MacBook Air and says he has regrets and should have bought a Pro. If you want a desktop, get the iMac. If you think you need a laptop, get a MacBook Pro. The air is too flimsy. The hard drive is only 60GB on the base model. It hasn't got the faster processors and what's nots. The 13inch Air and Pro are the same price. The air is fine if you want a computer, but as a software developer, you'll need a powerful solution. On the pixel side, both have the same pixel density. Keep the retina out, unles you want to pay for it. The retina is useful for presentations on large projectors, because of it's pixels. Aside from that, then the Retina is jut more expensive. The pixels won't make a difference, because Apple wouldn't make a crappy screen. David made the whole of Buzztouch from a MacBook Pro.

Also, I would recommend at least 13inches. 11inches is almost the same as the iPad. If you really want size, get an iMac. Don't forget about the Mac mini though as well. The cheapest one of all. Remember, look on eBay, and PowerMax are also good. What I would do is get a 13inch MacBook Pro and of you want the screen, get an Apple thunderbolt display. It's expensive, but then you get Laptop and desktop in one package. University students in Oxford are given a MacBook Pro for the years of study (which they give back), and each room has a Thunderbolt display.

After weighing it all up I think that the MacBook Pro will be the one for me. They have them on sale at the apple refurbished store with a decent saving. I'd usually have no problem buying second hand anything off Joe Bloggs but as it's gonna be an investment long term I think I'll rest a little easier if I know there's that a warranty and a little tech support standing behind the purchase. Thanks very much to all you guys I feel I'm going with a much better handle on what to get. Kind Regards Alan Ward