Based on my original thread, I decided to make this thread to help people get into Hackintosh. This is basically a resource compilation about where to start and where to go for help. So let's get to it...
Read this first:
The Newbies FAQ to Mac OSx86
So what's the deal here?
Hackintosh, or "OSx86", is the idea of putting the Mac OS X operating system on regular PC hardware using a variety of patches. Provided you use compatible hardware, you can create a pretty stable Mac clone for a lot cheaper than a real Mac costs.
What are my options?
You can install Tiger or Leopard on a PC, with Leopard being the latest and great version of Apple's OS X operating system. I would recommend Leopard because you are guaranteed support of newer programs and because it comes with Time Machine, an automatic backup program.
What about hardware? Can I use anything?
No, not really. You have to choose parts that are either compatible with Leopard by default or that have third-party drivers and other support methods created for them. Pretty much any of the standard parts will work (DVD drives Hard drives, etc.); the two biggest "gotchas" are the motherboard and the video card. If you can find a compatible motherboard and video card, it's all downhill from there.
What are the limitations involved with Hackintosh?
Oh, tons. But there are two main issues:
First of all, you'll probably never have 100% support - there will almost always be something that doesn't work or that acts funny. Even one of the most compatible motherboards have some kind of minor issues or have something that isn't support (Serial & Parallel ports, Onboard RAID, etc.). Full support is hard to come by, at least natively. There are usually workarounds for everything, however.
Second, updates are tricky. Sometimes Apple Updates break Hackintosh installations, so you have to be careful about doing them. Be sure to disable automatic updates in the system preferences menu. Don't update out of the box without checking to see how the latest updates affect other people's Hackintosh installations.
The bottom line is, if you need a reliable machine with support for the latest apps and updates, you should probably look elsewhere. It's entirely possible to keep it up-to-date, but it's not smooth sailing - it requires a lot of upkeep. You can achieve 100% stability, and if you're happy with running apps on whatever the currently supported release is and don't mind messing around with creative ways to install future updates, then it's a pretty fun project.
If you are looking for a cheap Mac clone with a minimal amount of work and you don't want to run into problems...DO NOT DO THIS PROJECT!! It is almost guaranteed that you will have some sort of weird issue that will take you weeks to figure out. Once you do that, you can sit on your computer throne with pride over your awesome machine, but if you're not willing to do the work, don't start the project.
What do you recommend as far as hardware goes?
I basically recommend 3 things:
1. Get a compatible motherboard: This is the first biggest issue. If you can find a well-supported motherboard, that means you're not going to run into half the problems that you would iwth a new board. Currently I would recommend the DFI Lanparty for single processors (dual or quad-core) and the Tyan S2696 for dual processors (dual quad-core Xeons for 8-core madness). The Lanparty is around $150 and the Tyan is around $400-$500.
2. Get a super-compatible video card: This is the BIGGEST issue of all. If you don't get a compatible video card, you're hosed. If you can't find a driver for the video card and proof that people are using it successfully (i.e. they have posted about it and say it has no problems), then I recommend NOT buying it. There are plenty of good video cards out there. I've personally used a 7300GT, 7900GT, 8800GTS, and 8800GTX (modded into a Quadro) with 100% success. Don't mess around with this - get a compatible card!
3. Get an alternative sound card: Onboard Audio support is pretty spotty on Hackintoshes. Honestly, unless your audio is 100% supported (which is rare), just save yourself the headache and buy a $30 Griffin iMic USB sound card.
Where do I go for help?
The OSx86 Project Wiki is the place to go for compatible hardware and guides:
http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
The Insanely Mac forum is the place to go to ask questions:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?
There is also a couple IRC servers:
irc.osx86.hu (various channels)
irc.moofspeak.net #InsanelyMac (in-browser Java Client available)
Anything else?
Nope, not really! Just be persistent and don't quit - eventually you can get a stable, working machine. If you don't like hacking stuff up and messing with computers, then this project isn't really for you - just go buy a real Mac. If you like playing with computers and software, then this is a way fun project and can save you a lot of money over a real Apple machine.
Good luck!
Read this first:
The Newbies FAQ to Mac OSx86
So what's the deal here?
Hackintosh, or "OSx86", is the idea of putting the Mac OS X operating system on regular PC hardware using a variety of patches. Provided you use compatible hardware, you can create a pretty stable Mac clone for a lot cheaper than a real Mac costs.
What are my options?
You can install Tiger or Leopard on a PC, with Leopard being the latest and great version of Apple's OS X operating system. I would recommend Leopard because you are guaranteed support of newer programs and because it comes with Time Machine, an automatic backup program.
What about hardware? Can I use anything?
No, not really. You have to choose parts that are either compatible with Leopard by default or that have third-party drivers and other support methods created for them. Pretty much any of the standard parts will work (DVD drives Hard drives, etc.); the two biggest "gotchas" are the motherboard and the video card. If you can find a compatible motherboard and video card, it's all downhill from there.
What are the limitations involved with Hackintosh?
Oh, tons. But there are two main issues:
First of all, you'll probably never have 100% support - there will almost always be something that doesn't work or that acts funny. Even one of the most compatible motherboards have some kind of minor issues or have something that isn't support (Serial & Parallel ports, Onboard RAID, etc.). Full support is hard to come by, at least natively. There are usually workarounds for everything, however.
Second, updates are tricky. Sometimes Apple Updates break Hackintosh installations, so you have to be careful about doing them. Be sure to disable automatic updates in the system preferences menu. Don't update out of the box without checking to see how the latest updates affect other people's Hackintosh installations.
The bottom line is, if you need a reliable machine with support for the latest apps and updates, you should probably look elsewhere. It's entirely possible to keep it up-to-date, but it's not smooth sailing - it requires a lot of upkeep. You can achieve 100% stability, and if you're happy with running apps on whatever the currently supported release is and don't mind messing around with creative ways to install future updates, then it's a pretty fun project.
If you are looking for a cheap Mac clone with a minimal amount of work and you don't want to run into problems...DO NOT DO THIS PROJECT!! It is almost guaranteed that you will have some sort of weird issue that will take you weeks to figure out. Once you do that, you can sit on your computer throne with pride over your awesome machine, but if you're not willing to do the work, don't start the project.
What do you recommend as far as hardware goes?
I basically recommend 3 things:
1. Get a compatible motherboard: This is the first biggest issue. If you can find a well-supported motherboard, that means you're not going to run into half the problems that you would iwth a new board. Currently I would recommend the DFI Lanparty for single processors (dual or quad-core) and the Tyan S2696 for dual processors (dual quad-core Xeons for 8-core madness). The Lanparty is around $150 and the Tyan is around $400-$500.
2. Get a super-compatible video card: This is the BIGGEST issue of all. If you don't get a compatible video card, you're hosed. If you can't find a driver for the video card and proof that people are using it successfully (i.e. they have posted about it and say it has no problems), then I recommend NOT buying it. There are plenty of good video cards out there. I've personally used a 7300GT, 7900GT, 8800GTS, and 8800GTX (modded into a Quadro) with 100% success. Don't mess around with this - get a compatible card!
3. Get an alternative sound card: Onboard Audio support is pretty spotty on Hackintoshes. Honestly, unless your audio is 100% supported (which is rare), just save yourself the headache and buy a $30 Griffin iMic USB sound card.
Where do I go for help?
The OSx86 Project Wiki is the place to go for compatible hardware and guides:
http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
The Insanely Mac forum is the place to go to ask questions:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?
There is also a couple IRC servers:
irc.osx86.hu (various channels)
irc.moofspeak.net #InsanelyMac (in-browser Java Client available)
Anything else?
Nope, not really! Just be persistent and don't quit - eventually you can get a stable, working machine. If you don't like hacking stuff up and messing with computers, then this project isn't really for you - just go buy a real Mac. If you like playing with computers and software, then this is a way fun project and can save you a lot of money over a real Apple machine.
Good luck!
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