Keep using the Windows or Linux computer you know. When you need macOS, connect to a dedicated physical Mac in a data center. Your tasks can keep running even after you turn off your local computer.
Halo M4 · Mac mini M4 16GB / 256GB · $20/dayand up
Runs 365 days a yearTasks don’t depend on your home power or internet
Entire machine, all yoursNot a VM—no sharing compute with other tenants
Connect via browser or VNCFind connection details in the console after setup
Some work doesn’t require you to sit at a Mac every day, but still needs macOS: a project tool, an Xcode archive, a build step in your pipeline, or software available only for macOS. Replacing your primary computer for just those tasks may not be what you want.
You could keep a Mac at home instead. But if the power or internet goes down mid-task, the machine and remote access can be affected. When you’re away, you may also have no easy way to check what happened.
VMHalo hosts your Mac in a data center, where it runs 365 days a year. Tasks running on the machine can continue after you turn off your local computer. When you need the desktop, connect from a browser or VNC client.
One distinction matters: a machine staying online doesn’t mean every app will keep running automatically. Quitting an app, relying on local files, or stopping a process yourself can still affect the outcome. We provide a dedicated machine and remote access; you configure apps and tasks for your workflow.
Power or internet problems at home can affect the machine or remote access.
Your local computer can be offline while the Mac and its tasks keep running in the data center.
Choose a model, location, and rental period. Once set up, your Mac and connection details are in the console, along with your billing information.
Mac mini M4
16GB / 256GB
One Halo M4 configuration is currently available. The chip, unified memory, and local storage are yours alone—compute isn’t split between tenants on the same machine.
Dedicated physical machine, not a VMConnect to the macOS desktop in your browser or use a VNC client. You get full access to the macOS desktop and command line.
Find connection details in the console after setup. On your first connection, check the address, port, and credentials—and keep them out of public documents.
First-time connection guideRent by the day, week, month, or quarter. All prices are in USD. Choose a period based on your project timeline, then decide whether to add storage.
Add-ons include +1TB SSD, +2TB SSD, and Thunderbolt 5 daisy-chaining. Charges for your selected period appear on the order.
See all billing detailsFor desktop access, consider the network route from your location to the data center. For builds or long-running tasks, also consider where your project data is stored.
Availability is shown live in the console. Location reference ranges describe the areas served; they aren’t measurements of your current network connection.
We don’t substitute uptime percentages, compensation figures, or round-the-clock expert claims for clear service details. Before ordering, you need to know what you’ll get, where to find it, and how to ask for help.
After setup, check your location and connection details in the console, and review charges in your order and billing records. To use the remote desktop, connect to your own instance. You don’t need to look for access credentials on a public page.
If you can’t connect, the display is laggy, or a task behaves unexpectedly, note the location, time, and time zone, then describe what happened and what you’ve tried. Existing customers can sign in to the console and submit a ticket. Before ordering, you can also email support@vmhalo.com.
We handle requests through support tickets and share updates by replying to them. We don’t promise a specific response time here. Remote access depends on more than the location label: check your local network, client settings, display options, and the task itself.
Whether renting makes sense depends less on how often you open a Mac and more on whether part of your workflow has to run on macOS.
Do your everyday coding locally, then connect to a dedicated Mac for Xcode archiving or signing. You’re responsible for preparing and safeguarding your project, dependencies, and signing materials.
Check your toolchain versions and project requirements first, then choose a rental period. Opening a local folder doesn’t mean every build requirement is already in place.
Check your toolchain and signing setupSync your media and project to the location, then start processing on the Mac. Shut down your local computer after work and reconnect later to check progress and output.
Check software licenses, media storage needs, and output paths first. If a task still relies on a locally mounted drive or a continuous local connection, you’ll need to change where the data is stored.
Check media and output locationsSet up the Mac as a self-hosted runner so macOS steps in your existing pipeline run on this machine, while other steps stay in their current environment.
A dedicated machine doesn’t mean unlimited tasks can run at full capacity simultaneously. Plan concurrency, caching, and cleanup, and protect the secrets used by your pipeline.
Plan concurrency and manage credentialsIf your software already works fully on Windows or Linux and your builds don’t need macOS, you may not need another remote machine. Identify the steps to move first, then choose a period, location, and storage.
Here are two first-person examples: one for a team pipeline and one for an individual software need.
“We’re a Windows-only team. Our CI’s macOS step now runs on the Seoul location.”
Mobile team lead
“Buying a Mac for just one app felt wasteful. A monthly rental is just right.”
Freelance designer
A team can start by moving one macOS step; an individual can start with one app they genuinely need. Get the project running first, then decide whether to move more tasks.
Choose a location based on where you work and how you’ll use the Mac. The locations page lists service areas and reference ranges; choose one to continue to configuration and checkout.