Disclaimer about our Guide in Hackintosh: we at iGotOffer do not endorse hacking, piracy, illegal copying or downloading. The information stated below is meant for enlightening purposes only.
Contents
- 1 Precise Guide in Hackintosh
- 1.1 What is a Hackintosh?
- 1.2 Can’t I run it on just any desktop or laptop like Microsoft Windows?
- 1.3 Why does this happens?
- 1.4 Is there any legal way to obtain this ROM? Is it a software or some component?
- 1.5 So, is there no way to get around this problem?
- 1.6 What Do These Patches Do?
- 1.7 But It’s Illegal, Isn’t it?
- 1.8 What Macs do Hackintoshes Clone?
- 1.9 How About Macbooks?
- 1.10 Is It Also Illegal to Build Apple Clones?
- 1.11 Ok, How Can I Get the List of Hardware Components I Need?
- 1.12 How Did They Get the Info About the Components?
- 1.13 And the Last, but the Most Important Question: Is Hackintosh a Real Match to Mac; Faultless in Performance and Stability?
- 2 Links
Precise Guide in Hackintosh
What is a Hackintosh?
It’s a non-Apple computer which is built to run Mac X OS.
Can’t I run it on just any desktop or laptop like Microsoft Windows?
Actually, you can’t. The OS X system is tied to Apple-branded computers. If you try to install it on an IBM PC, the software wouldn’t “recognize” the machine as an Apple one, and would “refuse” to be installed.
Why does this happens?
The key part of any computer or electronic gadget is ROM, which is a non-volatile memory in which the firmware is stored. The firmware is factory manufactured and in most cases cannot be rewritten or changed after fabrication. In the process of installation, the software addresses the ROM and gets the crucial data about the computer. Getting the wrong data halts the process of installation.
Is there any legal way to obtain this ROM? Is it a software or some component?
There used to be a legal way to install the ROM from a third-party computer before 1997, before Steve Jobs ceased the practice. Apple had been selling ROMs to Atari and Amiga. It’s a chip with a microprogram written in it in the factory. The Apple ROM is called BootX and controls the booting process..
So, is there no way to get around this problem?
Not quite. In June 2005 Apple switched from Power PC to Intel processors. Intel processors are installed in IBM computers as well, so technically it is a possibility to migrate to non-Apple computers. The IT community immediately upstarted the OSx86 hacking project with an ultimate goal to run the OS X operating system on non-Apple PCs with x86 architecture on x86-64 processors.
Mac OS X v10.4 “Tiger” released on January 10, 2006 was the first Mac X OS to be patched by its member crg92. Apple answered with the OS update, which deactivated that patch, but within two weeks the next version of patch by the same author arrived. And the patch vs. update tug-of-war began.
What Do These Patches Do?
They emulate the BootX behavior. The most popular patches are Chameleon and Clover. It’s also possible to use a live DVD or a flash drive for PCs with no optical drive. The third method is installing Mac OS X on a virtual machine.
But It’s Illegal, Isn’t it?
Yes, it is. Hacking the software is a violation of DMCA, while installing the hacked Mac OS “distro” is a violation of EULA (End-User License Agreement).
Why Do People Do This?
Many users think that tying software licenses to a certain hardware is an unfair thing to do. Some view it as an engineering challenge to transfer the Mac OS X to non-Apple computers.
What Macs do Hackintoshes Clone?
This depends on their configuration. They can clone Mac Pro, Mac Mini, iMacs. It’s up to a user’s wallet or inclinations.
How About Macbooks?
A non-Apple laptop to run OS X is called a Hackbook. You can’t build it but you can find the non-Apple laptop closest to the original in hardware. The most popular brand for Hackbooks is Lenovo.
Is It Also Illegal to Build Apple Clones?
As long as you don’t trade them in, you’re fine. No law prohibits building a home computer for your own personal needs.
Ok, How Can I Get the List of Hardware Components I Need?
The easiest way to get a list of needed components is to google it. Since June 2005 an amazing database covering all the aspects of Hackintosh building has been accumulated. All components are available in your local RadioShack store or on-line.
How Did They Get the Info About the Components?
You can get the specifications on the Apple website, or look up for reverse engineering reports. This kind of information isn’t classified.
And the Last, but the Most Important Question: Is Hackintosh a Real Match to Mac; Faultless in Performance and Stability?
NO. No, it is not. You must be well aware of the fact that any OS is a complex software, and hacking it means warping some of its features and functions. There’s no telling how it will perform on your PC. However precise your build may be, there’s no 100% guarantee it’ll work along with a hacked Mac OS X. The hardware conflicts happen frequently with Windows OS, and even more with Apple software. What’s more critical, is that you can’t obtain an Apple ID, which means you’ll have major problems with iCloud, iTunes and other Apple services that require an ID.
Links
- Time to switch to a new Apple model? We at iGotOffer buy your used computers for the best price online. Free instant quote, free fully insured shipping, fast and secure payment: Used Macs, iPads, iPhones and more for sale.
- Macintosh Clones – A Macintosh clone (or an Apple clone) is a personal computer made by a manufacturer other than Apple, using Macintosh ROMs and system software or is compatible with them.
- Franklin Ace 1200 Apple Compatible personal computer – the first legal Apple II clone.