Run Mac OS X On Non-Apple Hardware, With a Dongle 536
An anonymous reader points out Gizmodo's review of a USB dongle, made by a company called Efix, which allows for an effort-free transformation of a non-Apple computer into one that runs Mac OS X. According to the reviewer, the transformation is perfect (aside from a few quirks he describes as "trivial"); the included screenshots sure make it seem that way, too. The dongle costs $155, and works only on a subset of PC hardware. Non-Apple machines running OS X will no doubt make Apple unhappy, though, so, the reviewer concludes, "it's understandable if you wanna approach this with caution."
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:5, Insightful)
$155 makes the Apple Premium seem reasonable.
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:5, Insightful)
Especially when you factor in the cost of OS X. You're already up to $300, without a computer.
Why is this needed? (Score:5, Insightful)
I was under the impression that you could already run OS X on a PC as long as the hardware was supported. What exactly does this thing do that you can't do already?
28 days later... (Score:4, Insightful)
Tell me that won't happen.
Re:Weird turnabout (Score:5, Insightful)
News flash.. multiple people have multiple opinions on various topics!
In other words, it's not generally the same individuals making both of those claims.
Several possibilities (Score:2, Insightful)
1. You could be talking about two groups of people and so the people that say "Apple sucks" are not the same people saying they would try this.
2. The reasons they are saying "Apple sucks" could be related to any number of things Apple does, most of which have nothing to do with the quality of their OS. There are lots of those.
For an example of #2, if one were to lambaste Apple because their computers are overpriced, or they don't sell one within a particular price range, that person would not be a hypocrite for using this dongle (in fact, exactly the opposite - since they could put OSX on a cheap, high-spec PC).
Awesome (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:5, Insightful)
Actually, Hackintoshes become most attractive when you start talking about NONcomparable hardware. There are some pretty down to Earth configurations that Apple just doesn't consider "cool enough" to make (cue in the Apple zealots who will proclaim that configuration styles used by 95% of PC users are "unnecessary niches").
I for example want a tower machine. I want something with a consumer-grade desktop CPU - dual or even single core, and just 1 of them - with no monitor strapped onto it, and with a case that has ample drive bays and expansion slots so that I can add storage space and add in a video card as needed.
In otherwords, I just want a plain-fscking computer. Not a tiny one. Not an all-in-one. Not a multi-thousand $$$$ workstation, and certainly not a laptop. Just a plain old tower. I'd even pay the famed "Apple tax" on the damned thing if it was made to buy. And don't give me the "there's no market for that" line - PC makers are selling the damned things like hotcakes.
So, given that Apple won't make what I want, I built a Hackintosh. Yes, I installed a hacked copy of OS X, so no dongle needed. I think my total investment in this machine is around $650 (and that includes a retail copy of OS X). For that I've got a dual-core 1.8Ghz processor, 2GB of RAM, 160GB of hard drive space, and a Geforce 8600GTS video card. And if I need a little more than what any particular component can provide, I'll just swap the part out because the system is upgradeable.
Why bother? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:3, Insightful)
Uhhh.. You can already do this without the dongle (Score:5, Insightful)
Umm.. you can already run OSX on PC hardware *without* no stinkin' dongle!
Well, that is, if you don't mind pirating software. There are several hacked copies of the OSX Tiger and Leopard install DVDs floating about that allow you to install OSX on any reasonably modern PC. Google around for 'leo4all' or 'ideneb'. YMMV.
Also: http://www.osx86project.org/ [osx86project.org] has tons of resources on how to run a 'hackintosh'.
There are also some VMWare 'appliances' -- that is -- virtual machines with OSX already pre-installed on the vmdk files. You just dl them and use vmplayer or vmware workstation and you got yourself OSX inside a VM.
People have been runing OSX on PC hardware for a while now. So, given that -- how is this exciting at all? It isn't even any more legal than just dling pirated/hacked OSX install DVDs. The way I see it -- there is no advantage to paying $150 to break the law with a stinkin' dongle, when you can download a 4GB DVD torrent and get OSX for free. Both are equally illegal and violate Apple's EULA or whatever.
So how is this new/newsworthy/even mildly exciting?
Re:Weird turnabout (Score:5, Insightful)
Because for all their high-and-mighty pontificating about "freedom" and "rights" and "DRM" and whatever, most people just like to get stuff for free/cheap.
Would Apple or the RIAA or Sony or whoever all of a sudden one day say "It's illegal to copy and share our stuff, but we promise never to come after you," you can bet your ass that the threads ranting about "my rights!" would dry up lickety-split. Because for the overwhelming majority of folks, it's not about the principle of the thing -- it's about you getting in the way of me getting stuff for free.
Sad, but true for all except a limited number of genuinely-involved purists.
Re:Why bother? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes, I've said this on a few forums - this is the fairly large 'niche' that Apple really do need to appeal to. People who want a reasonably spec'ed machine that has decent upgrade potential. The main reason cited by die-hard Mac zealots* is that it would compete with the Mac Pro, but I think if they only released models with dual-core CPUs and one or two free PCIe slots then the high-end graphics/video/audio professionals wouldn't be interested because the video and graphics people want quad- or 8-cores for rendering speed and the audio people want PCI slots for their Pro Tools cards and DSP.
I've got a Mac Mini and bought it with the highest processor/HD/memory combination available at the time, and still needed to buy an external drive to have a decent amount of storage space. I can't justify a Mac Pro because I'm really only doing don't-quit-your-dayjob home studio stuff. What will happen is in 6-12 months' time I'll buy a first generation Mac Pro second hand when all the real pros are upgrading to 8-core monsters, so Apple will miss out on a sale. If they made a mini-tower I would buy it tomorrow.
*I'm a Mac fan but not a zealot. I think.
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:5, Insightful)
Using prebuilt systems to compete with that segment is practically impossible because you have to charge for the labor the customer is willing to do themselves, so Apple isn't ever going to try.
If Apple sold the a bare "Apple blessed" desktop motherboard with a copy of OSX for $260 the enthusiast DIY crowd would be all over it like white on rice.
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:5, Insightful)
well, i can't say what most hackintosh users do, but from what i've read here it seems like there are definitely some people who don't pirate OS X for building their own hackintoshes.
i'd also note that it seems like the fact hackintosh users have to obtain a hacked OS X setup disc to have a decent chance of getting their hackintosh to work that promotes piracy in this case. if they could get help from more experienced OS X users on how to do it legally, then that might reduce piracy, wouldn't you say? and seeing as this dongle lets you use any old OS X disc, the original incentive of simply downloading a hacked disc image is no longer relevant.
regarding the hackintosh vs mac mini argument, i have to point out that a smaller price tag isn't the only issue. it does no good for the consumer to buy a cheap mini if he really needs a more powerful machine. so, yes, he could buy a cheap mac mini or get the dongle and OS, but with the dongle + OS he can use that on a system that actually fits his needs. then if he likes the OS, he could invest in a $3000 Apple workstation--or whatever model happens to be appropriate.
it's sorta like saying, "well you can can a BMW motorcycle for under $10k" when they might be looking for a sedan. some people don't have the need for a mini-type system, regardless of what OS it runs or manufacturer it's by.
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:4, Insightful)
There is no Apple Premium.
yes there is. you can do all sorts of comparions (when I've done them the Apple device, Mac or iPod, always comes out more expensive) but there is a different kind of proof -- theres been plenty of financial reports (including Apples own) stating that they have a significantly higher profit margin on their hardware than competitors. where do you think that is coming from?
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:5, Insightful)
And again, if these PC users are willing to shell out a few hundred bucks on dongles and a copy of the OS to try it out, they can buy a slighly used mac mini, or an older ibook.
So instead of trying out the OS on hardware I already own, I can spend the money on extra hardware I don't want that will potentially require me to swap around cables and/or get a KVM. Top that off with the fact that you're saying they could instead get a used mac mini or ibook that potentially has hardware problems... gee, where do I sign up. The cheapest "official" refurbished mac from apple that a person could be reasonably assured of the hardware's condition is over $1000 [apple.com]
Hardware choice is a convenience. Convenience is a benefit people are often willing to pay for.
I've had the chance to use OSX at work. But if I hadn't had that opportunity and someone told me I could run it on my current hardware for $300 (including a copy of OSX), I can understand how that would appeal to people.
Re:Using Windows/Linux simply a cost benefit analy (Score:1, Insightful)
Where are the stats to support your conclusion that the majority of OSX86 users are software pirates. It very well good be true, but a source to some study would be nice. To be honest, one can easily come to a conclusion on why an individual would pirate the OS. Would you pay $129 to own a copy of the OS if every other update broke it. This is about as bad as the comment above about either buying a used Mac or purchasing a new one, given that they are "ultra inexpensive at under $3000). The last time I checked the majority of PCs were priced at well under one grand. How many Macintosh computers can you get that are less than $999 (for that matter, how about $499).
The simple truth is that using Windows/Linux is a cost benefit analysis performed by the end user. You get the most product for your money using a traditional PC (not an Intel box blessed by Apple with EFI).
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:2, Insightful)
Some of your complaints are valid, but this:
You lost me there. First of all clicking on the red X doesn't minimize the application anywhere, it closes the window. Secondly, why should closing a window equate with quitting an application? What if the application has two windows open? Should closing one of them still quit the app? It sounds like you don't really understand what you are complaining about.
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:3, Insightful)
When someone makes a controversial claim, then simply backs it up with something like, "It's a fact." or "That's the truth." you know they probably full of it and have no actual evidence. I'd expect this on the political blogs, not a technical forum. You sound like, "9/11 was an inside job. That's a fact!"
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:3, Insightful)
Which is complete crap....
Referring to someone who at least paid for some percentage of the actual cost of OS X (the upgrade retail boxes) as a pirate is stretching the definition of the word.
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:3, Insightful)
Man, i hope after using this mac mini for ~9 months i don't turn into a jackass too!
Uh... (Score:3, Insightful)
I am not sure whose side you were taking there.
It had four times the ram and was $1200 less?
So, can you clarify?
I am very sure any enthusiast can build a far better machine at a substantially lower price, provided something as easy as plugging in a dongle was all it took to fool OS X
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:3, Insightful)
But... But... Amiga never dies!!
Amiga rules, now and forever!* =P
(Yes, moderate me insightful, you know you want to!)
(* It's just the owners of the brand name which suck!)
Re:I just ordered one!! (Score:3, Insightful)
Which is a premium.
"Ferrari doesn't have a premium, they just sell more expensive cars. If you compare them to similarly spec'ed cars you'll find they're about the same price +/- $5000"
I build $800 blazing fast workstations: QuadCore, 8GB of Ram and just under top of the line video card along with a 500GB Raid 0 for storage.
You say "no premium" I say I can get a superb workstation for less money.
If this kind of effort would go into Linux... (Score:3, Insightful)
If this kind of effort were to go into fixing all the problems with Linux, making Linux capable of running every application from every platform ever concieved, we could install a Mac Skin and tell Apple and MS to eat OSX and Windows.
Seriously. Why waste your time with the futile. At least with Linux you have a chance of survival.