Psystar Software Will Make Your PC Run OS X
Psystar fears no Apple.
Apple is a company that likes to control the experience of its customers. It likes to craft its products from top to bottom, both in hardware and software.
Ever since Apple went with Intel processors, the hardware differences between Macs and PCs became minimal. The software that runs on the hardware, however, remains very different mostly due to Mac OS X.
Windows runs natively on a Mac thanks to Boot Camp, but the relationship is mostly just one way. In Apple's EULA, it states that its Mac OS X software may only be used on Apple hardware – something that PC enthusiasts find unfortunate and restrictive.
Psystar, seemingly fearless in its technological adventures hackintosh-related, has released a new software tool called Rebel EFI that advertises the ability to install any OS on PCs with Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, i7 or Xeon Nehalem CPUs. Of course, by "any OS," the company is clearly pushing Mac OS X.
If you've been wondering what all the fuss is about surrounding Mac OS X, this could be one experimental/economical way to find out. Psystar currently has a time-limited demo available for download for those to try out in order to decide if it's effective enough to be worth the $49.99 purchase price.
- Psystar ,
- hackintosh ,
- mac ,
- osx ,
- apple
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You would still need to buy a copy of Mac OS X, so while interesting it is still nothing I care about and you know apple will break it the next chance they get. Just like the itunes talking to non apple devices.
Interesting.
After the EFiX debacle I was hoping something else was going to pop up, and trusty Psystar don't seem to have rolled over to die just yet.
My development Mac needs replacing and if this software proves reliable I'll just dual-boot my server instead of getting a new machine (although £400 for a mini-ITX Mac sounds very tempting!)
Did that EFiX thing actually work? And it seems strange to me that the only hardware requirement is a selection of specific processors.
I'm up for it if it works.
As far as I know the EFiX worked - the hoohah was the revelation that they'd just ripped off all the community OSx86 work an packaged it up in the USB dongle, then tried to charge you again for the v1.1 module when SnoKitteh came out.
I should imagine that Psystar's lil app here is the community work wrapped up in their own front-end and add-on features, so it's their app you're paying for not the community stuff.
Funny, sounds a lot like OSX...how apt
@ LePhuronn
Does dunnit. I just looked at the FAQ's on the website and it basically seems to be suggesting that you may have the same issues as you would if you used, say, iAtkos. I can't see the difference myself. Does look like a better interface though. As to whether it's worth $50 we'll have to see.
^^ what's worth it I think is the support OSX app - hardware compatibility checker, support request and ticketing all in one place given that Psystar said they're going to be doing support and quality assurance.
It seems they're taking this seriously, which is a good sign.
I assume it's running from inside OSX but what would be UBER SWEET is if it's actually running from a mini boot Linux distro. Boot CD, authenticate your license, check your hardware, send a support ticket if a problem crops up and if you're all ready to go do the bootloader magic and away you go!
@ LePhuronn
I suspect you're right. Especially as they've had the confidence to allow you to download a trial version. Sadly, I only have a selection of AMD CPU's and some underpowered Intel processors so it'll be interesting to see what feedback is submitted by users.
Similarly I don't have either my i7 920 rig or Q8400 server beyond paper spec and dreaming, so I'll be very interested in how this goes.
To be honest I get wet at the thought of a Phenom 945 (or even two cores of anything) but everyone has different standards
Besides, if Psystar makes a go of this I don't see any reason why, like the community, they can't add AMD support. The biggest problem I've had personally is graphics card drivers. If they can sort out that bunny I'll be satisfied.
Well the Mac Pro has a 4870 option now and they had a HD 2600 XT option before, the iMac has a 4670 option so ATI cards are known to OSX.
Unfortunately I have an nVidia card (ASUS EN 9500 GT to be precise). No point in paying for anything better or I suspect there will be a bottleneck and wasted money. Anyway, I'm too poor to upgrade at the moment and am only trying to crack it for 'fun'. Besides, I'd never use it anyway due to my disproportionate dislike of Apple products and the fact I'm only doing it to piss off Apple and Mac owners. I have a triple boot netbook and besides the time when Ubuntu 9.04 had flash problems I very rarely use OS X. God knows why I keep trying to sort out my desktop.
I strongly suspect (and I don't like admitting this) that if I'd put all the hours into my job that I've put into turning some crap hardware into a hackintosh I'd have been able to pay for a reasonable Mac Pro. It's great as a learning exercise and for experience toying with a new OS but if you want a Mac then the best solution is to buy a Mac (but don't cos they're a rip off and people will think you are a fairy that knows 47 different types of coffee).
Psystar should remember, and so should Apple, that people buy Apple products for more than just OSX. they buy for lots of reasons including pretty hardware, good customer service and stores you can just walk into to get an issue addressed when things have gone awry.
that goes beyond an EULA, which Apple will undoubtedly defend tooth and nail as it has in the past.