Setup Apple Mac For Software Development

Did you just buy your first Mac mini? Wondering how the heck this thing even works? It's easier than you think. It's like a tiny stand-alone computer that you get to bring your own monitor and mouse to. Here's how to set it up.

Apple Mac Software Downloads

What you'll need

A guide to setting up an Apple Mac for DevOps and software development. This is current for macOS 10.14 (Mojave). Do This First! Log in once, run Software Update, and ensure that the operating system is at the latest point release. After all of the updates have been applied, restart the computer.

The new Mac mini is Apple's version of a barebones computer. The entry model starts at $799 and only comes with the Mac mini, a power cable, and documentation. You'll need to provide your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad. Since the new Mac mini has a number of I/O ports, your choices of monitor connectivity can be in the form of a Thunderbolt 3 connector or an HDMI connector. Whether you use your 5K Thunderbolt Display or your spare 1080p television with HDMI, the new Mac mini will be good to go. The new Mac mini also has two USB 3.1 ports so if you have older wired keyboards or mice, you'll be all set as well.

Setting up the hardware

  • Jun 24, 2019  For that: Apple Icon About This Mac then Software Update. System preferences. If this is a new computer, there are a couple of tweaks I like to make to the System Preferences. Feel free to follow these, or to ignore them, depending on your personal preferences. In Apple Icon System Preferences: Trackpad Tap to click.
  • Apple HomeKit Compliant: Build Apple HomeKit accessories compliant with the latest Apple HomeKit specifications with our pre-tested and approved Apple HomeKit SDK. Secure Gecko Bootloader: Enable authenticated and encrypted firmware updates and secure boot support for enhanced security. 250B ATT and 251B Link Layer packet.

  1. Ensure that your desk or table has access to two power plugs, one for your monitor and one for your new Mac mini. Plug them in.

  2. Attach your monitor cable to both the monitor and the new Mac mini.

  3. If you have a new wireless Apple keyboard and trackpad, you'll need to attach them via a Lightning to USB cable so that they both charge and pair via Bluetooth to the new Mac mini. These can be removed once pairing and charging are complete.

  4. After you've verified all cables are properly connected you can press the power button. You'll know the new Mac mini is powered on with the illumination of a silver LED on the front.

Setting up the software

  1. Once powered on, you'll be greeted with a Welcome screen.
  2. Select your country.
  3. Click Continue.
  4. Select your keyboard.

  5. Click Continue.

  6. Choose your Wi-Fi router and enter the password.
  7. Click Continue.
  8. Optionally read about Apple's Data and Privacy usage.

  9. Click Continue.

  10. Decide if you want to transfer data from a backup.
  11. Click Continue.
  12. Optionally sign in with your Apple ID.

  13. Click Continue.

  14. Optionally read Apple's Terms and Conditions.
  15. Click Continue.
  16. If you skipped signing in with your Apple ID, you'll need to now Create a Computer Account adding a username and password.

  17. Click Continue.

  18. You can allow Apple to automatically setup various features like Siri and location services or optionally customize settings.
  19. Click Continue. The process will complete in a few moments.

Final comments

I got the 'low end' $799 Mac mini to replace my old 4-year-old Mac mini to run my M.A.M.E. arcade cabinet and add it to my Compressor nodes. What about you? What version of the new Mac mini will you get? What will you use it for? Let us know in the comments!

Setup Apple Mac For Software Development

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Apple Software Development

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Setup Apple Mac For Software Development System

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Setup Apple Mac For Software Development

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Bluetooth software from Silicon Labs makes it possible for developers to take advantage of Bluetooth LE, Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth 5.1, Bluetooth 5.2, and Bluetooth mesh features. These features include 2M and LE Long Range PHYs, Advertisement sets, scan event reporting LE Secure Connections, LE Data Length Extensions, LE Dual Topology, and angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD). The Bluetooth software is also Apple HomeKit compliant supporting HomeKit Accessory Protocol and other Apple HomeKit features, making it suitable for Bluetooth enabled smart home accessory development. For Silicon Labs solutions pre-programmed with these software components, including a Bluetooth stack, LE secure connections, and Bluetooth 5 features, please take a look at Bluetooth Xpress.