[uxp]

This really hits on a key long term solution. A hobbyist could pick up a macbook pro, or already have one because they're trendy, and play around with Xcode and the simulator for a long time for free. Once the lightbulb flicks on and that hobbyist decides to plop down $99 for the paid account and signing certificate, releases one or two apps into the store, that developer is now a highly sought after asset to thousands of companies as a full time employee or contractor.

Where's the back-of-the-envelope calculations on spending $500-$1500 for a Mac and $99 for the Dev Account and turning that into a lifelong and highly valuable skill? It might be more money than $800 + $25 for the same on a Windows PC and Android, but it's not a huge difference when you compare the output. What other hobbies can be turned into a lucrative career with a soft cap of $2000 and 6 months to a year of practice?