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...or do you have any suggestion, where I could ask such?

I would like to build an iOS application, for which I nead a real OS X-based machine or a service like Macincloud. However, this answer suggested, that I can just purchase an OS X and install it on my own PC, either as dual-boot secondary system or as virtual machine.

However, I'm such newbie (ignorant) to OS X and Apple topics, that until reaching out that answer, I even wasn't aware, that it is possible to purchase OS X without purchasing a hardware along with it. And the idea of installing it on PC sounds like a nightmare for me. And that is why I wanted to ask for a possible quick step-by-step guide or a link to an external source, where these matters are covered.

But... I think, that this could be an off-topic question and would like to confirm this before.

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    See meta.apple.stackexchange.com/questions/2/… and meta.apple.stackexchange.com/questions/1722/… for some thoughts on this.
    – nohillside Mod
    Commented Jun 9, 2015 at 14:20
  • For the record, it isn't really possible to buy OS X without buying hardware. I mean, theoretically you could buy a DVD of the last version that actually shipped on DVD (that's several versions/years old), then use the App Store to upgrade from there, but then you not only have to get non-Mac hardware to work with the current version, but the several-year-old version as well.
    – tubedogg
    Commented Jun 21, 2015 at 8:12

1 Answer 1

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Running OS X, even virtualized, on non-Apple hardware is a violation of the EULA for the software and, as such, is off topic here on Ask Different.

Your best bet is asking on Stack Overflow since they specialize on tools used primarily by developers. You might link here or ask on meta there to check if they care about bypassing EULA as a general or specific rule.

Second, when asking for off site resources, you would need to pass a high standard of documenting your situation and research and explaining precisely how it doesn't solve your issue.

Lastly, the premise of the OS X on non Mac hardware question begs the question "Why not buy a used Mac?". You could ask what are the minimum hardware requirements to run Xcode version x.y and we would help you identify the pool of used computers to lease or buy to meet your budget needs.

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    Thank you for a great answer. As for your suggestion, it seems, that I don't even need an xCode. I'm developing my iOS apps in Phonegap, not in native code. And, if my knowledge isn't incorrect, then I need Mac only to submit app (.ipa file generated by Phonegap) via ApplicationLoader without even touching the xCode. As per this, I assume, that even cheapest Mac mini will be good.
    – trejder
    Commented Jun 9, 2015 at 19:05
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    @trejder Excellent. Getting used equipment is best since it loses so little value over a year that you can usually sell it at marginal loss if you chose wrongly. Speed requirements for developers come from billing constraints so the funding to get proper hardware is a business capital expense. After seeing WWDC videos of Xcode 7 and Xcode Server continuous integration, etc..., I can't imagine anyone saddling themselves with lesser tools to do iOS development for anything other than self-education or "hobby" uses.
    – bmike Mod
    Commented Jun 9, 2015 at 20:32
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    "Why not buy a used Mac?" ...or what I ended up doing, buying a bottom-of-the-line Mac Mini.
    – Nathan Osman
    Commented Jun 10, 2015 at 22:54

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