Apple revealed it would help developers producing macOS software that will run on Apple's silicon by providing them with a Developer Transition Kit, a customized version of the Mac mini running on. Native Mac apps built with Mac Catalyst can share code with your iPad apps, and you can add more features just for Mac. In macOS Big Sur, you can create even more powerful versions of your apps and take advantage of every pixel on the screen by running them at native Mac resolution. Apps built with Mac Catalyst can now be fully controlled using just the keyboard, access more iOS. The Mac mini hasn't had a significant update since 2018 - Apple simply doubled the standard storage in March 2020 - but the Mac mini is still an attractive package and we expect many developers. Explore the world of Mac. Check out MacBook Pro, iMac Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and more. Visit the Apple site to learn, buy, and get support.
Apple Beta Software Program
Help make the next releases of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS our best yet. As a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, you can take part in shaping Apple software by test-driving pre-release versions and letting us know what you think.
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As a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, you’ll be able to enroll your devices to access the public betas and try out the latest features. You can provide feedback directly to Apple using the Feedback Assistant app.
Apple Developer Mac Mini
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Apple Developer Program
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Apple Mac For Developers
Among the myriad software announcements at Apple's first-ever virtual WWDC, you may have missed the only piece of hardware Apple announced — a beefed up Mac mini aimed for developers.
Offered as a part of a Mac Developer Transition Kit (DTK) and aimed to get devs up to speed with the ins and outs of Apple's big transition to its own silicon, the Mac mini has an A12Z Bionic chip, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD, and 'a variety of Mac I/O ports.'
The program also provides access to beta versions of macOS Big Sur and Xcode 12, as well as access to documentation and forums support.
Given the price of admittance to the program is $500, this sounds like a great deal, especially considering a regular Mac mini starts at half the RAM and half the storage for $799. Sure, you can beef up the regular mini with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but then the price jumps up to $1,119, which is more than double the price of the DTK mini.
Of course, it's not quite the same, as the A12Z Bionic chip inside the DTK mini probably isn't as powerful as the Intel chip offered in the regular mini. There will almost certainly be many bugs and incompatibilities, too, as the program is aimed for developers who will be testing their apps on this thing.
Still, it sounds so good that even a very casual developer or a commoner like me might think about getting one. But there are many, many catches. First, Apple needs to approve your application, which likely won't happen if you don't have some serious developer experience. Priority is given to applicants with an existing macOS application, Apple says, and availability is limited. Not all countries are permitted; see the list here. And finally, the biggest catch of all: Developers are expected to return the DTK Mac mini at the end of the program. So no, you're not really getting a Mac mini at half the price, at least not to keep.
A potential silver lining for developers who participate: The Next Web reports that last time Apple did a transition of this scale – from PowerPC to Intel chips – it gave Intel-based Macs to developers when they returned the testing kit. There are no guarantees, though.
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Apple Mac Mini For Developers
If you're an eligible developer and are thinking of participating, you can apply for the program here. Full terms and conditions are available here.