I've reached the point where I need to acquire a Mac Mini to further develop the dmd AArch64 code generator.

They're expensive, so I don't want to buy the wrong one.

Which model should I obtain?

On 10/08/2025 4:33 AM, Walter Bright wrote:
> I've reached the point where I need to acquire a Mac Mini to further develop the dmd AArch64 code generator.
> 
> They're expensive, so I don't want to buy the wrong one.
> 
> Which model should I obtain?

At this stage all you need is a Mac Book Air M1 16gb ram.

As long as its reset and not logged in, like $300 go for second hand (ideally ex-lease).

For a Mac Mini, you can ignore Pro, Max and Ultra chips.
You are not planning on doing data processing using GPU's or the CPU to warrant needing the better chips. As far as I'm aware.

The NZ price for this is $1500, so around $1000USD.
https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/apple-computers/imac/apple-mac-mini-m4-chip-with-10-core-cpu-and-10-core-gpu-16gb-ram-512gb-ssd-2024.html

I've been thinking it might be good for me to get a new Mac Book Air M4 16gb ram and we'd have a similar set of use cases. Specifically for its multi-use capabilities. I.e. can be taken outside the house (including a conference).

On Saturday, 9 August 2025 at 16:33:06 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
> I've reached the point where I need to acquire a Mac Mini to further develop the dmd AArch64 code generator.
>
> They're expensive, so I don't want to buy the wrong one.
>
> Which model should I obtain?

I don't know how memory intensive dmd build, but I think 16 Gb or even 32Gb will be better.
It should be either m1 or m4 chip.
I agree that Pro/Max/Ultra versions don't worth it for CPU use case - better to have some extra RAM.
Other parameters probably are not important.

Maybe Luna can suggest something as well

On Saturday, 9 August 2025 at 16:33:06 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
> I've reached the point where I need to acquire a Mac Mini to further develop the dmd AArch64 code generator.
>
> They're expensive, so I don't want to buy the wrong one.
>
> Which model should I obtain?

I'd recommend getting the M4 model, they start with 16 GB of ram nowadays.
Though getting the M4 + 24 GB ram model might be more future proof.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I ordered one today.

I have it set up now, it is compiling code for X86_64 and AArch64!

Next I need to install git and connect it to github.

On Wednesday, 13 August 2025 at 21:14:56 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
> I have it set up now, it is compiling code for X86_64 and AArch64!
>
> Next I need to install git and connect it to github.

You can install homebrew - it is popular macOS package manager.
After that you can do:
```bash
brew install git
```

for github - simplest GUI is GitHub for Desktop

But regular cli should work as well

Thanks! I got git installed.

It took me a while to get ssh and its utilities installed. The google instructions were wrong, of course. I am baffled why such a basic utility is not included by Apple.

I also installed the Mac version of dmd. All of the executables in it promptly seg fault. And yes, I also installed Rosetta and verified its installation. I have no idea what's going on here.

On 14/08/2025 5:12 PM, Walter Bright wrote:
> I also installed the Mac version of dmd. All of the executables in it promptly seg fault. And yes, I also installed Rosetta and verified its installation. I have no idea what's going on here.

Try the nightly.

On Thursday, 14 August 2025 at 05:12:19 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
> Thanks! I got git installed.
>
> It took me a while to get ssh and its utilities installed. The google instructions were wrong, of course. I am baffled why such a basic utility is not included by Apple.
>
> I also installed the Mac version of dmd. All of the executables in it promptly seg fault. And yes, I also installed Rosetta and verified its installation. I have no idea what's going on here.

Bug in druntime that was fixed recently. Shouldn’t be an issue on nightly.