Rental & usage FAQs

Rent a remote Mac. Get your questions answered.

Rent an entire dedicated physical Mac mini—not a shared virtual machine. Find answers about our hardware, connections, models, and service terms, then compare the two models and rental prices before ordering.

Need help with an active instance? Sign in tothe console to open a support ticketand include the location, model, and time period when the issue occurred.

01 / THE PRODUCT

Know what you’re renting

Each instance is a dedicated physical Mac mini. Remote desktop is simply how you connect to it—the computing resources are not split into a shared virtual machine.

Why choose a dedicated physical Mac over a shared virtual machine?

You get exclusive use of the machine’s CPU, GPU, unified memory, and local storage. Compile, run simulators, or load models without competing with other customers for the same hardware. Work in the macOS interface or run builds from the command line. Your choice of connection method does not change who the hardware is assigned to.

How is this different from shared macOS virtualization?

Shared virtualization typically runs multiple environments on one host, so performance can depend on host load and resource limits. Both XcodeVNC Cloud Mac plans use dedicated physical hardware: XV Desk M4 has an M4, 16GB unified memory, and a 256GB SSD; XV Studio M4 has an M4, 24GB unified memory, and a 512GB SSD. Choose between them based on your project and memory needs—they are not virtual machine specs.

Can I use the machine for automation as well as remote desktop?

Yes. Use Screen Sharing or VNC to work with Xcode, simulators, and graphical tools; use SSH for command-line builds, scripts, and self-hosted runners. Both desktop and command-line workflows can use the same machine, but concurrent tasks still share its memory, storage, and processing capacity.

02 / REMOTE ACCESS

Connection options and what to expect

Choose a location with a network route close to your users, then select a desktop client for your device. Find connection credentials in the console after setup; they are not published on this site.

Which remote connection methods are supported?

On macOS, use the built-in Screen Sharing app. On Windows or Linux, use a compatible VNC client. Use SSH to run build commands, sync files, or create tunnels. Before connecting for the first time, get the instance address, port, and initial credentials from the console, and confirm that the client is pointed at the right location.

Can multiple team members connect to the same machine?

You can manage access through your team’s accounts and permissions, but this is still one physical machine—not a separate desktop for each person. Multiple people controlling the same graphical session may disrupt one another. We recommend assigning one person to operate the desktop while other team members use their authorized SSH accounts for command-line work, with agreed schedules and handover notes.

What affects remote desktop latency?

Latency mainly depends on round-trip network time to the location, route stability, your local bandwidth, and desktop resolution and image quality settings. Start with a nearby location. If the pointer feels sluggish, check your local network, then lower the resolution or image quality. For work that relies on smooth video, test your own connection before getting started.

What should I check first if VNC won’t connect?

First, make sure the instance connection details in the console match the client settings. Then check whether your local network allows traffic to the required port. If the address is reachable but the display looks wrong, try a Screen Sharing client or followthe connection troubleshooting steps in the Help Centerone by one. When you open a support ticket, include the location, client type, error message, and time period when the issue occurred. Do not include passwords.

03 / MODELS & LOCATIONS

Choose a model for your workload and a location for your network

Both models are available in Singapore, Japan (Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), Hong Kong, and the US East Coast. Listed combinations are generally available to order; check the console for live availability.

Which should I choose: XV Desk M4 or XV Studio M4?

XV Desk M4 features an M4, 16GB unified memory, and a 256GB SSD. It’s suited to lighter builds, single-project development, and remote demos. XV Studio M4 has an M4, 24GB unified memory, and a 512GB SSD, making it a better fit for running multiple simulators, larger projects, or inference with small-to-medium quantized models. Both include dedicated physical hardware and the same remote connection options. If your projects regularly approach the memory limit, consider the 24GB model first.

How do I choose among the five locations?

Start with the location closest to the main user’s network route. For Southeast Asia, consider Singapore; for East Asia, compare Japan (Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), and Hong Kong. Users in eastern North America or western Europe can consider the US East Coast. For distributed teams, use the person who does the most graphical work as your starting point, then test connectivity from each team member’s location. A city name is no substitute for an actual network test.

Can I switch locations during my rental?

Each location corresponds to where the physical machine is hosted, so you can’t switch a running instance’s location like a network setting. If you need to move, back up your project, certificates, and other essential data first, then usethe console support ticket systemto specify your current instance, target location, and preferred timing. The service team will confirm whether migration or a new instance is possible. Don’t clear the original instance until you receive confirmation.

04 / BILLING & TERMS

Understand the model, rental period, and add-ons

Choose a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly term. All prices are in USD. Add-ons are charged on top of the selected model; confirm your configuration and bill in the console before placing your order.

What are the prices for each model and rental period?

XV Desk M4 costs $19.7/day, $53.1/week, $98.4/month, or $267.6/quarter. XV Studio M4 costs $40.9/day, $110.5/week, $204.7/month, or $556.8/quarter. These are base model prices and do not include optional storage or Thunderbolt 5 interconnect add-ons. To compare totals, add the line items for the same rental period.

How do renewals and the end of a rental work?

Check your rental and renewal details in the console. To keep using your instance, confirm the next term and payment before the current term ends. If you’re finished, export your project, signing materials, and any other data you want to keep in advance. The applicable rules for expiration, release, and data handling are set out in theTerms of Serviceand reflected in your order status in the console. Don’t rely on a remote machine as your only backup.

How are additional SSD storage and Thunderbolt 5 interconnect billed?

Each of the three add-ons is priced separately and added to the model price for your selected rental period. Add a 1TB SSD for extra room for projects or model weights; a 2TB SSD suits larger local datasets. Thunderbolt 5 interconnect is priced per device. See the listed prices for each term below. Select add-ons and confirm your final configuration when ordering.

Model and add-on prices at a glance

Currency: USD. Each cell shows the price for that item and term. Add-ons are not included in model prices.

Daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly prices for two models and three add-ons
ItemDailyWeeklyMonthlyQuarterly
XV Desk M4$19.7$53.1$98.4$267.6
XV Studio M4$40.9$110.5$204.7$556.8
+1TB SSD$2.8$7.6$14.1$38.4
+2TB SSD$5.6$15.2$28.2$76.8
Thunderbolt 5 interconnect (per device)$1.6$4.2$7.8$21.2
05 / PAYMENT METHODS

Check payment options at checkout

All orders are priced in USD. The available payment gateways and final amount due are shown in the console when you place your order.

Which payment methods can I use?

Pay with USDT-TRC20 or a Visa, Mastercard, or Amex card processed by Stripe. At checkout, confirm your selected payment method, USD amount, model, and rental period. Available gateways are shown live in the console.

Can I use another payment method or pay in a different currency?

No other payment methods are available, and all listed prices and bills are in USD. For USDT-TRC20 payments, confirm the network and recipient details shown at checkout. For card payments, follow the checkout instructions. If the payment status doesn’t match your bill, open a support ticket inthe consoleand include your order number.

06 / DATA & SECURITY

Plan for access control and data export

Initial credentials are for setup and shouldn’t be used long term. Set access controls before you start work, and move out any data you want to keep before your rental ends.

What happens to data on the machine when my rental ends?

After an instance expires and is released under the service rules, its physical disk enters an erasure process before the machine is assigned again. Before your rental ends, export your code, build artifacts, certificates, and model weights, and verify that your backups are readable. A released machine can’t be used to recover data left behind. See thePrivacy Noticefor details about how personal information and connection logs are handled.

What security settings should I use after connecting for the first time?

Change the initial password, assess whether FileVault is appropriate for your workload, enable the firewall, give each team member who needs command-line access their own SSH public key, and turn off sharing services you don’t use. Share remote access details only with authorized users. For team handoffs, record who has desktop access and when access should be revoked.

Can the service team see what’s on my desktop?

The account, order, and connection logs needed to run the service are separate from your desktop display. Collecting remote desktop screen content is not part of our service data processing. When troubleshooting, share only the error details needed; don’t send passwords, private keys, or sensitive files. If an issue needs further collaboration, confirm the scope and steps through a support ticket first.

07 / LLM INFERENCE

Check memory first, then storage for model weights

A remote desktop helps you monitor inference, but whether a model runs smoothly depends first on its quantization, context length, and the other programs running at the same time.

What kinds of models can run with 24GB of unified memory?

XV Studio M4 has an M4, 24GB of unified memory, and a 512GB SSD, making it worth considering for small-to-medium quantized models and local inference with MLX or llama.cpp. The full 24GB isn’t available for model weights: macOS, the runtime, context cache, and other apps also need memory. Test with your target model’s actual quantized file and context settings. Don’t assume that multiple models will run at once based on parameter count alone.

Where should I store model weights?

First, add up the space needed for model weights, datasets, caches, and project files, then compare it with the SSD included in your model. If the 512GB SSD won’t hold the data you need long term, consider adding a 1TB SSD or 2TB SSD when you order. Keep your source models and experiment results in your own backup location so you can move them to another instance or export them before your rental ends.

Do I need to stay connected over VNC while inference runs?

You don’t need to keep a desktop session open as the only way to run a task. Start command-line inference over SSH in an appropriate persistent session and write logs to a file. Use Screen Sharing or VNC when you need a graphical monitor or debugging interface. Test how to run the task, find its logs, and exit it safely; closing the client doesn’t mean the computation is complete.

08 / UPTIME & CREDITS

How 99.9% uptime is measured and how to report an issue

Locations operate 365 days a year. If a service issue affects your use, keep a record of the time and connection evidence, then report it promptly through a console support ticket.

How is 99.9% uptime measured?

Our commitment measures monthly server-side instance accessibility. It doesn’t guarantee that every local network, client, or user action will be error-free. When documenting an issue, note the instance location, when the problem began and ended, and what happened when you tried to connect. Impacts caused by force majeure or user actions are handled under the applicable rules in theTerms of Service.

What compensation is available if monthly uptime falls below 99.9%?

For cases covered by the Terms of Service, we extend the service period by 10 times the verified downtime. Compensation takes the form of additional service time, not a discount on listed prices. The affected period and eligibility are confirmed using instance records and support ticket details.

How do I request an uptime review and service extension?

Sign in tothe console to open a support ticket, stating the order or instance, its location, when the issue began and ended, and the connection method you used. Include error messages or test results, but no sensitive credentials. First, use theHelp Centerto rule out local network and client configuration issues. If you still can’t connect, submit your ticket promptly so we can investigate and check server-side records.

NEXT STEP

Found your answer? Choose your remote Mac

Choose a model based on memory and storage, then select a location close to your main users. Before ordering, check the rental term, add-ons, and USD total. For help with an active instance, open a support ticket in the console.