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A first look at Mac OS X on x86

updated 09:00 pm EST, Tue November 15, 2005

Mac OS X on x86

ZDNet UK has published a , installing the Mac OS X operating system on a generic PC and circumventing Apple's own security measures: "When Steve Jobs announced the platform change, he publicly demonstrated Apple computers with Intel processors running an x86 version of Mac OS X. The OS is bound directly to the hardware by a special security chip. However, some developers have succeeded in circumventing this coupling, allowing the operating system to be installed on any x86 system, as this test report shows." The report describes the 2-hr installation process and benchmarks on aToshiba Port�g� M300 notebook equipped with a 1.2GHz Pentium M processor and 512MB of RAM, noting that Mac OS X faster on startup, on par with power consumption and shutdown, and less memory hungry than its Windows XP counterpart on the same hardware, but slower in application-based tests--in part due to the Rosetta emulation environment.

by MacNN Staff

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I WAS the One
Grizzled Veteran

Joined: Mar 2003

0

11/15, 10:47pm | report spam | close Reply |
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Is the end of the world as we know it!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!

dru
Senior User

Joined: Apr 2002

0

11/15, 11:45pm | report spam | close Reply |
Cease and Desist?

Where's Apple legal? Why aren't they attacking ZDNet?

denim
Mac Elite

Joined: Jun 2000

0

11/15, 11:52pm | report spam | close Reply |
Re: Cease and Desist

Give 'em a minute.

bigpoppa206
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2003

0

11/16, 01:27am | report spam | close Reply |
While a few people

will make a big deal about the developer version running on just about anything, I'm sure the finished product will be pretty bulletproof. After all, Apple does own a program that frustrated crackers still have not broken, Logic Pro.

xmas1888
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2004

0

11/16, 02:24am | report spam | close Reply |
lazy mistakes

They say that this is just a developer version and that it shouldn't be considered a final product, however tiger for x86 is a final product, as has every version of OS X on x86. They use this to justify the poorer performance in itunes, with only a little note that it runs on emulation. What they should have done is tested the performance of the other iApps, maybe compare them to the PPC versions, or they should have better explained that iTunes is running totally on emulation, so obviously it won't match performance to iTunes on windows. That'd be like running itunes on OS X for PPC and comparing it to iTunes running in Virtual PC. When looking at those numbers, that actually looks pretty good for emulation.

macevangelist
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2005

0

11/16, 05:29am | report spam | close Reply |
Logic vs OS cracking

Logic Pro has a smaller audience and therefore less people interested in circumventing the protection. On the Windows side for example Logic Pro has been cracked.

You can expect to run the most recent Mac OS X x86 version on other Intel-based systems as long as Apple bases its own hardware on Intel chips. Bulletproof is an illusion. Expect the guy who up to now expressed his hate towards Mac OS X to play with our OS on his ugly box.

It hurts, doesn't it? ;-)

The only thing you can hold on to is that Mac OS X will run most stable on Apple's own hardware.

macevangelist
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2005

0

11/16, 05:32am | report spam | close Reply |
Good karma

... and running Mac OS X on Apple's hardware will also be legal. If that helps.

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/16, 07:22am | report spam | close Reply |
AMD

As long as I can run it, hacked or not, on AMD systems, I'm set. I _HATE_ Intel and really don't' want to buy an Intel Mac. But I can build my own AMD and run OSX which would be great.

haunebu
Dedicated MacNNer

Joined: Apr 2000

0

11/16, 07:26am | report spam | close Reply |
Nice.

Why would you ever _HATE_ Intel? What about social injustice, poverty and disease? Get some perspective.

I WAS the One
Grizzled Veteran

Joined: Mar 2003

0

11/16, 07:36am | report spam | close Reply |
SAY WHAT???

You see?? thats what I'm talking about... people using Tiger without real computers, it will be like having a healthy heart inside a dead body. I don't like it. no way.

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/16, 09:15am | report spam | close Reply |
Why

Because I've been in the PC industry forever and have seen how Intel (and MS) have ruined the industry and pushed inferior products on the masses. Intel's CPUs have forever been inferior to others (particularly AMD) and I've never owned an Intel machine.

I love Macs, and really want to continue with the OS, but I'd rather not run it on Intel hardware. I'd have no issue if Apple would sell AMD-Inside boxes - that would be perfect - get the _BEST_ chip designs, fastest performance, and a company that actually values your business.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the Intel Macs - Intel's top chips already are at a speed disadvantage WRT AMD, and it won't be any better when Apple uses them.

ATPTourFan
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2003

0

11/16, 10:45am | report spam | close Reply |
AMD one day

Who says Apple will not one day offer AMD or go all-AMD with their CPUS. They just needed a big-time partner to begin this transition. There's no doubt that Intel is a stable company that can ship product en masse. It's the safest way to go with such a tricky hardware transition.

Once everything's all worked out, and Apple has brought their contract with Intel to term, they can look at alternate venders (read: AMD).

jimster
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2005

0

11/16, 10:47am | report spam | close Reply |
Errrrr Ummmm.

With the new Intel Macs coming out. We might be seeing the last of OS X install discs without Serial Nos. In order to prevent illegal hacking, Apple might turn to the MS way of thinking and authentication. If they do not, I really would be surprised. If they do, cherish the glory days of buying on copy of OS X and installing it on every known computer you have in your possession.

GORDYmac
Mac Elite

Joined: Dec 1999

0

11/16, 11:51am | report spam | close Reply |
I think Apple wants it...

In order to make OSX bulletproof, they want these releases hacked. Then, by the time it ships, they will have closed every hole used to install it on regular PCs to date.

Genius...and it really saves Apple R&D hours...

h***, OS X probably calls home with the install details as soon as it connects to the Internet.

Scooterboy
Senior User

Joined: Nov 2001

0

11/16, 12:15pm | report spam | close Reply |
The beginning of the end

of Apple hardware. Apple will be designing less and less, using Intel motherboards for it's line of boutique PC's. And Macs will lose their uniqueness in a sea of PC's capable of running either OS. Even Mac motherboards will run BIOS. No more Firewire booting or Target Disc Mode (and maybe no more FireWire, as Apple seems to be pushing the Intel standard over its own, i.e. iPod). For me, the Mac experience isn't just the OS, or just the unique platform, or Open Firmware. It's the entire gestalt, where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. That's what I think we will lose. The Mac identity will become diluted, and the experience of using a "Mac", whether it's an Intel/Apple designed Mac, or any other box running OS X, will be just that: a PC running Mac OS X.

Todd Madson
Mac Elite

Joined: Apr 2000

0

11/16, 12:28pm | report spam | close Reply |
Sheesh.....

Buy one of the last generation G5s. That will last you at least three to five years.

By then you should be able to see how things have gone on the Intel side and if you'll be able to get over your loathing to accept it.

I didn't like Intel until I spent six months with a Pentium M laptop and that little chip really moves for a lower power deal. Surprising.

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/16, 12:56pm | report spam | close Reply |
P-M

You liked the P-M, you'll love the Turon - as good power management and 64-bit goodness....

testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

11/16, 01:12pm | report spam | close Reply |
Re: P-M and OS X

You liked the P-M, you'll love the Turon - as good power management and 64-bit goodness....

No one cares about 64-bit goodness. Its one of the most overhyped features of the G5s. People actually using or need 64-bit processing or apps is such a small minority of all users.

however tiger for x86 is a final product, as has every version of OS X on x86.

Its not final. Just because its been released doesn't make it final. Since they never had real hardware to test it with, there's still kinks and bugs to work out of the whole deal. Otherwise, why would Apple be taking so freakin' long to make the jump.

ecrelin
Junior Member

Joined: Oct 2000

0

11/16, 10:01pm | report spam | close Reply |
testudos right, still�

it doesn't matter, I would buy an iMac over any PC available for a consumer desktop and I still like powerbooks better too. I may be biased but even if I could try to cheap out and buy and build the price differential in reality will be way less than people make out and I'll go with Apple. Their history of support and loyalty are better than anyone else's in the biz. Since Apple smelled the coffee and sells a machine that you can really run right out of the box without buying anything else, we're talking average consumer not Gamerboy, with a two button mouse enough RAM to make OS X walk not crawl and 128Mb of VRAM that'll give a good frame rate for most of the good new games (for as well as the average user can play) built in wireless and bluetooth. These changes may seem small but they are actually very important. The intel mini may be an a** kicker. Wintel as a concept is beginning to get the respect that M$ has earned them over the years and all the PC makers will be associated with Windows and that's like getting endorsed by Bush these days. I'm a happy camper however it works out and remember I still think it should run on as many intel boxes that can support it. hoo rah!

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A first look at Mac OS X on x86

updated 09:00 pm EST, Tue November 15, 2005

Mac OS X on x86

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Cease and Desist?

Re: Cease and Desist

While a few people

lazy mistakes

Logic vs OS cracking

Good karma

AMD

Nice.

SAY WHAT???

Why

AMD one day

Errrrr Ummmm.

I think Apple wants it...

The beginning of the end

Sheesh.....

P-M

Re: P-M and OS X

testudos right, still�

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A first look at Mac OS X on x86

updated 09:00 pm EST, Tue November 15, 2005

Mac OS X on x86

Related Articles

Recent Articles

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Cease and Desist?

Re: Cease and Desist

While a few people

lazy mistakes

Logic vs OS cracking

Good karma

AMD

Nice.

SAY WHAT???

Why

AMD one day

Errrrr Ummmm.

I think Apple wants it...

The beginning of the end

Sheesh.....

P-M

Re: P-M and OS X

testudos right, still�

Login Here

Register for our weekly email newsletter:

Connect tools:

Subscribe

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Follow us

on Twitter

10 Most Read

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