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Frankly if I could run OS X reliably on a Dell XPS 15 it would be "hello again" Dell.

http://www.osx86project.org/ fill yer boots as it CAN be done

Faking the CPUID and patching the kernel binary either through the bootloader or manually has been done forever for unsupported CPUs for Hackintoshes. We've gotten many newer Intel CPUs working before Apple added official support. It was done with Haswell-E, Sandy Bridge, and many more. Unsupported Xeon models have been fully functional as well. Apple also releases the xnu kernel source code which is how AMD CPU support has always been added. So you're wrong here - Hackintoshes run better CPUs than Macs all the time and if there's an issue getting in the way with the vanilla kernel then there's no doubt a way to get around it.

Source: me - I helped support unsupported CPUs in the 10.6 kernels. http://wiki.osx86project.org/w...

You want a desktop. So why not get a Hackintosh?

Really? You found an HP that runs OS X?

Several, actually :3

You doubt that Apple would sue the pants off you if you did the same thing in your basement and posted instructions on a website regarding how you did it? Go ahead, try... see what happens.

Yeah. Like this? http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

It also ignores that there are ways of running MacOS X on the PC hardware you already have, should you be technically proficient enough to follow instructions.

I would hope that a potential developer of smartphone apps would be technically proficient enough to follow instructions. Or use Google. But that's the problem with 'hope'.

Apple doesn't litigate against folks who install OS X on non-Apple hardware, unless you're trying to make a business out of it and sell the resulting machines:

http://www.hackintosh.com/

http://www.osx86project.org/

http://lifehacker.com/321913/build-a-hackintosh-mac-for-under-800

The new gateway drug for the iphone/ipad users. If they have the cash for the itoys, why not a new cute computer too?
If they are spending, Apple knows to milk. Or Apple has done the fiat currency maths and plays safe.
If not http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCL_10.6.3 for a build :)

If OS X is open source

Not "if," OSX has a lot of open source in it. You can download the kernel (named Darwin) and some utilities from their open source website. Another good web page with Apple's open source software information is http://www.apple.com/opensource/ . There you can see what project is being used by the different Apple applications or utilities.

how come nobody's made some modifications to not check for Apple's BIOS

Mac's do not use BIOS, they use EFI.

and then recompiled it to run on an IBM PC Clone?

There are several websites out there with info and utilities to get OS X running on almost any PC out there (drivers can be a hassle tho). Apple has not done much to stop them, except of course of Psystar that was actually trying to run a business around cloning Macs. Try this one, I think it should send you in the right direction http://www.osx86project.org/

Its really too bad that Apple never lets OS-X run in VM on non apple hardware.. then I would be in heaven!

Well, officially Apple doesn't let OSX run on non apple hardware. In reality start here and have fun.

I'm a bit of the opposite to you - I run OSX as my main OS, and run Server 2008 R2, Win 7, and Win XP in VMs (Parallels 5, VMWare 2.0 was still doing software CPUs - don't know about 3.x) and it was certainly freeing - every time windows craps out - snapshot restore and I'm back up in about 5 minutes. I've also got Linux VMs, but generally don't need to run them for testing as often as the coding I do generally transfers fluidly across and all the items I use on Linux also work on OSX.

It is most probably breaking the EULA.
And experience has taught me to be weary of what seems rational, logical and full of common sense in the legal world...

When I read such things on the project made to allow OS X to run on a PC :
http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/FAQ#Legal
I can only think that someone will complain sooner or later. I can't see Adobe accepting the sale of something customizing paintshop pro without getting some bucks from it.

I read this article and proceeded to http://www.osx86project.org/ website to check it out - clicked on InsanelyMac button from my Windows XP browser (I.E. 7.0) and was the beneficiary of a virus attack - which ended up disabling my desktop. I can only boot to windows recovery and I can see seven .exe loaded on c:\. This is akin to throwing nails on the road and watching people get a flat tire - it must be illegal. Is there any government agency you can report this to?

http://chameleon.osx86.hu/
The same, but FOSS. Some even suggest the same codebase, but I of course would never be cynical enough to suggest that or that running strings on both if someone had a spare moment might be interesting.

Pystar itself uses an open source boot loader, Darwin Universal Boot Loader or DUBL. This leads me to question exactly what value Pystar adds. It can't be hardware compatibility and drivers, the CNet tester even says "It seems like Psystar still has a lot of homework to do when it comes to drivers and hardware compatibility." Hackers, open source, and other programmers provide a list of hardware compatible on the OSX86 Project website.

Falcon

Oh, btw I hope Apple comes down on Pystar like a sludge hammer. I don't mind if individuals, such as those with the OSX86 project work to get hackntoches running, but not for profit businesses. While I believe Apple should either license OSX to OEMs or release mid range expandable Macs I also believe they should be able to set hardware requirements. The simple fact is though is that Apple is a system integrator, they make hardware and software run well together for the most part. By specifying hardware Apple can make sure the software runs well on it.

Yeah, and if I could buy snow leopard for my PC, I might actually consider it.

If you look around you might find a few ways to do that...

What do you mean? Did they develop the game for Win/Linux on 500mhz Pentium IIIs? If they can't afford a $1000 Mac, they can't afford a $1000 Windows PC. Since you can run OS X on Intel x86, these guys could be theoretically running OS X on the very same machine they're developing in Windows on. There's just no longer the argument that "We can't afford Macs, so we can't make Mac software"...

Better yet, let them finally catch up with the other OS manufacturers and release an OS that can be used on a machine besides the ones that Apple sells.

At this time it's only true that they don't support it.

How much different is the user experience on windows different from the user experience on OS X? From my own experience, not very much. Heck, most of the times I've been on macs, they have crashed a hell of a lot more, responded more slowly, etc.

Most of my friends running macs have asked me questions about how to do something, or about problems they've had. Opposite with my friends running Windows (yes, even Vista). It does what they need it to do, they can figure out stuff they don't know (very easily), and it causes very few problems for them.

I'd rather not pay the $500 logo tax, and use different software. Of course, you could always just slap on the same software http://wiki.osx86project.org/

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Vmware_how_to

Here's the difference. You can buy OS X and install it on any machine you want. Apple won't stop you;

WRONG

OSX contains DRM to stop this type of thing.

From the http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/FAQ
Do I need Apple hardware to run Mac OS X?

Not anymore.

Projects such as OSx86 have succeeded in allowing the Intel-based version of Mac OS X to run on non-Apple hardware largely by bypassing the TPM in software.

The "Trusted Platform Module," or TPM, is a computer chip embedded inside Intel-based Macs to prevent the Intel-based version of Mac OS X from running on non-Apple hardware. (during installation of Mac OS X, Mac OS X interfaces with the TPM. If Mac OS X finds that the TPM doesn't exist, Mac OS X refuses to install or run.)

In building your "Hackintosh" however, you may want to keep as close to the hardware configuration of Intel-based Macs for the best compatibility. Intel Macs use (or have used) either a Core Solo, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, or Xeon processor. For graphics cards, Intel Macs have seen Intel's GMA950; ATI's Mobility Radeon X1600, Radeon X1600, and Radeon X1900 XT; and nVidia's GeForce 7300GT, 7600GT, 8600M GT or Quadro FX4500. . . . . .

SOME of their hardware - but a lot of video cards, Sound Cards, Ethernet cards, etc. don't have driver support...

There is a great list of what works (and doesn't) at http://www.osx86project.org/

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/ 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?

Try installing OSX86.

You get all the niceties of OSX with low cost commodity hardware.

creatives use OSX... which does run on a number of thinkpads already: http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCL_10.5.2/Portables#IBM.2FLenovo

This is still illegal according to the EULA in OSX, but...

1) Purchase a copy of Mac OSX. While this won't help the legality issues, it'll certainly put you in the grey zone. Or just visit your friendly torrent tracker. Look for "kalyway". Cough.
2) Visit OSX86 Project and take a look at the many installation guides available. Make sure your hardware is supported (it probably is) and that all the kexts (Kernel Extensions) are readily available for you to install.
3) Install Leopard.
4) ???
5) Enjoy a BSD-based OS with a pretty GUI.

This is still illegal according to the EULA in OSX, but...

1) Purchase a copy of Mac OSX. While this won't help the legality issues, it'll certainly put you in the grey zone. Or just visit your friendly torrent tracker. Look for "kalyway". Cough.
2) Visit OSX86 Project and take a look at the many installation guides available. Make sure your hardware is supported (it probably is) and that all the kexts (Kernel Extensions) are readily available for you to install.
3) Install Leopard.
4) ???
5) Enjoy a BSD-based OS with a pretty GUI.

Gotta love capitalism! Besides, you can avoid the hardware now anyway between VMs and straight up x86 ports of OSX.

Links:
[[1]]
[[2]]
[[3]]
[[4]]
[[5]]

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Vmware_how_to

Is this the same uncrackable copy protection employed by Apple to protect Mac OS X? Better not tell these guys about it.

TPM isn't going to solve anything.

Look at apple! Apple uses a TPM chip to prevent osx on non-apple hardware... BUT clearly it didn't work.

Maybe the atari guys havn't heard of el-jobso and his merchants of 'cool'

http://appdb.winehq.org/appview.php?iAppId=1942 nope, sorry to ruin your evening. However, Sims 2 has a Mac OS X version, and with a little help You can run it on your PC. I was first a linux user, and when I studied up on the bsd backend of OS X, I became interested. OS X comes with X11, so you can compile most unix(ala linux included) apps on OS X. Anyway, hope this sortof helps

• ASUS TM-210 Black 0.6mm SECC MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 300W Power Supply $54.99
• GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $66.99
• Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E4600 - Retail $119.99
• SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC5 $37.99
• Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $59.99
• LG 20X DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH20NS10 - OEM $24.99
• APPLE Mac OS X v10.5.1 Leopard - Retail $109.99
• TOTAL: $474.93 (plus shipping)

Currently typing this on my HP Pavilion dv9540 running OSX 10.5.2.

The ideal Hackintosh in tower would be:
CPU : Intel C2D or Quad (or Xeon if you're that rich)
Mobo : Anything with an ALC888 audio chip, unlesss you plan on using a separate audio card (or USB audio). Oh, and the Intel ICHx chipset are supported out of the box, as are all Realtek Ethernet chips. If you want WiFi, use an Atheros card : they're recognized as AirPort devices.
Graphics : nVidia.
Everything else : whatever you want.

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCL_10.5.2 for a list of compatible devices.

that is a cheap PC that runs a pirated version of Mac OSX that can run on Non-Apple branded PCs.

Or you could build your own souped up machine from scratch for the same as or less than a Mac mini, install OSX86 on it (with some minor finagling), and you're good to go. Of course, it's not suitable for the casual user, but for anyone who's had the occasion to install your typical linux distro, it's cake.

Two points I'll make to you that you seem to have missed, one of which I addressed already:

OSx86 project As I mentioned before, this is a harmless and free way to get mac OS without buying a mac. It works on almost anything. So if you dont want to buy a mac but want OS X, once again, here you go...

I guess this is just me being an 'apple fanboy' (actually they regularly piss me off..) but realistically speaking, consumers LIKE apple's products! there's no force feeding involved! You can't really deny that.

It would actually be really easy. Seeing as it has been done for quite a long time already. http://www.insanelymac.com/ http://wiki.osx86project.org/ People have been running "Vanilla" copies of OSX on intel based hardware for quite some time. That means, the kernel, and components of OSX are unmodified. As far as Apple can see it's a real Mac.

Razor1911 has also released a re-pack pirated version of Halo 2 that should run better than the original Vista DVD, which included the patch with it.

Oh yah, it also seems like you were wrong about Halo II being Vista only....

My excitement over the SDK was somewhat doused when I read it isn't PPC compatible. Since my best Mac is a G4 powerbook, that would have been my environment for coding my dream iPhone app. I don't have the resources to buy a new Intel powerbook just to code apps for my iPhone.

Exploring options, I found that the OSX86 scene is thriving with successful installs on beige box PCs. Now I can turn my quad-core 2.4 ghz intel box into an iPhone IDE! Hooray!

Seth

"If I bought whole computers instead of building them from spare parts I'd buy a mac."

You can build a mac from spare parts. See here:
http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
or here:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showforum=137
or here:
http://forum.osx86scene.com/

Of if you decide to buy a cheap pc for your project, here's the instuctions:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=74964

Which OS would that be?

Do I need Apple hardware to run Mac OS X?

Not anymore.

Projects such as OSx86 have succeeded in allowing the Intel-based version of Mac OS X to run on non-Apple hardware largely by bypassing the TPM in software.

The "Trusted Platform Module," or TPM, is a computer chip embedded inside Intel-based Macs to prevent the Intel-based version of Mac OS X from running on non-Apple hardware. (during installation of Mac OS X, Mac OS X interfaces with the TPM. If Mac OS X finds that the TPM doesn't exist, Mac OS X refuses to install or run.)

In building your "Hackintosh" however, you may want to keep as close to the hardware configuration of Intel-based Macs for the best compatibility. Intel Macs use (or have used) either a Core Solo, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, or Xeon processor. For graphics cards, Intel Macs have seen Intel's GMA950; ATI's Mobility Radeon X1600, Radeon X1600, and Radeon X1900 XT; and nVidia's GeForce 7300GT, 7600GT, 8600M GT or Quadro FX4500. . . . . .

That might be today. Check out the OSx86 project. It might not work for you but it's worth a shot.

http://www.osx86project.org/

He's probably running a hacked version of the Intel release of OSX. See http://wiki.osx86project.org/ for more info.

Just put OSX on your PC!

-S

Not exactly: this FAQ explains a bit more.

The only thing is that is against the Terms and Conditions that one must Agree to in order for the Install to complete.

[J]

The PC has evolved over the years, the old definition of what a PC was is dead, there is a new definition of a PC in modern times that is very much alive.

#1 The Intel Mac is one of the new PC definitions as it uses PC technology now.

#2 The new Amiga standard will be based on PC technology as well.

#3 The new PC need not even run Windows, it can run Linux, *BSD Unix, or any other OS that runs on it.

#4 The PC is the new Hackintosh with the OSX X86 Project to run OSX on PC systems.

#5 The Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii all use PC technology and are basically PCs by themselves if you add a keyboard and mouse to them.

#6 The iPhone and most modern cell phones are now like a PC anyway.

#7 PDAs and hand held computers are basically PCs now anyway.

#8 PCs can run emulators to run software for all different sorts of computer platforms and game consoles.

#9 PCs are used to develop software for many computer platforms.

#10 PCs can be used as dumb terminals or remote control access for any computer system.

Are these the same guys from the original hack?

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page