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Mac OS X 10.6.2 Will Block Atom Processors

Archeopteryx writes "According to Wired's 'Gadget Lab' blog, Snow Leopard's next update, OS X 10.6.2, will block the Atom processor and will disable many 'Hackintosh' netbooks. It is indeed true that OS X will run just fine on some netbooks if you install the right drivers and ktexts, but Apple's EULA has always specified that the license was applicable only to Apple hardware. There have always been processor types specified in OS X and that have to be worked around now for those who want to use an Atom or similar non-Apple-adopted processor, so this is likely no more than a hiccup on the road for the OSX86 crowd. But, it raises the question: is it time for Apple to sell a license for non-Apple hardware — priced accordingly of course — for those people who want OS X on platform types Apple has not yet adopted, like the netbook? The only reason OS X is not on my Eee is that I want to comply with the licensing terms. I could just pay for a license to use it."

5 of 1,012 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Who wants to update?? by ceswiedler · · Score: 1, Troll

    Will it install on a clean hard drive? I'm honestly curious here; from what I understand, even the "full retail" version won't. If that's the case, then I think it's an upgrade, regardless of what the box says.

  2. Re:I don't see why they would license it by Anarchduke · · Score: 1, Troll

    There is a big difference in the quality of an apple notebook when compared to a dell notebook. Apple makes a quality product, and I would prefer it over the crap Dell shovels out. Whether a Mac is worth the price difference is up to the purchaser, and the cachet of owning a Mac versus a Dell may be worth the money.
    However, it is just like buying a 150 dollar Thermaltake Case and spending 70 dollars for an 80-plus certified power supply. That combination is better than buying a 39.99 cheapo case w/ power supply combined. I would rather have that Thermaltake brand case. It is better quality and provides better cooling than the cheapo case.

    What I don't want is Microsoft telling me I have to run Windows 7 inside only a Thermaltake brand case. I don't want Apple to be able to tell me I can only run OSX only on a Apple brand case. I don't want Debian to suddenly specify I can only run it on Asus brand hardware. I don't want SuSe liunux to specify that I can only run it on Novell brand hardware. The issue here is whether Operating System manufacturers have the right to specify the brand name of the hardware that runs it.

    --
    who prays for Satan? Who in 18 centuries has had the humanity to pray for the 1 sinner that needed it most? ~Mark Twain
  3. Mac isn't better by masmullin · · Score: 1, Troll

    Mac isn't better, its just different. I'm a mac user for the past 3 years, and my next machine will be non-mac. To me the Pros do not weigh more than the cons+price.

  4. Re:Who wants to update?? by mabhatter654 · · Score: 1, Troll

    Why? the original XBox was a 100% bog-standard PC but nobody ever tried to run the Xbox OS on better hardware, although they tried to run other software on Xboxes. Why wasn't Microsoft held to task for bundling a "gaming OS" with their custom hardware? Since Xbox 1 was a generic "computer" why can't we play games on our regular PCs... Microsoft is abusing monopoly...

    Macs are just like Xboxes... a standard computer chip put into a custom "appliance".

  5. Re:Apple did try selling their OS, so did BEOS. by BasilBrush · · Score: 1, Troll

    What makes you think you know better than the people who own Macs, the reasons why they own them?

    Your opinion on wy people buy Macs:

    Nobody really buys a Mac because it's more useful than the alternatives. There's very little that Win\Linux\Mac can do that Win\Linux\Mac cannot, certainly not enough to justify the premium pricing. People buy Apple because they like to own Apple, they like to be an Apple guy or whatever they call themselves.

    What your friends who are Macowners tell you about why they own Macs:

    My friends who are "Apple guys" spend a great deal of time talking about how different their system is, highlighting the (mostly trivial, from a functional stance) things that set it apart from the masses.

    You see, the reason that you don't understand your friends who own Macs is that you are only thinking in terms of functional. And you think that good design is only about people wanting to differentiate themselves from the common herd. What you're missing is that good design actually makes things more pleasant to use. And when you're using something for hours a day, that difference is well worth paying for.

    To put it simply, Windows and Linux piss me off. They are both horrible. As are most of the PC designs I've seen. So it's worth it to me to pay to get a better designed system.

    If you still don't get it, I suggest you don't post an argument back - that would be pointless, you can never know better than I do why I bought something. Rather I suggest you read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." It explains the principle well and at length.