OSX on a PC?

skodaw · 28-09-2006, 11:40

I see that Apple now use intel processors, and that if you want you can install windows on an Apple.

So what about using a PC - format the drive and install OSX ???

Can it be done ? - Would it work ?

I like the idea of the iMac - but I have a recently built v.high spec PC and wondered if it was possible.

**TaviaRS** · 28-09-2006, 12:31

I would have thought it would be, but no doubt I'm wrong. Could be tempted by a dual boot......

Gwilo · 28-09-2006, 12:33

it's do-able, but technically illegal.

**TaviaRS** · 28-09-2006, 12:41

Why? If you have bought OSX, surely it is up to you what it is installed on

ScoobyChris · 28-09-2006, 12:54

Andrej Koelewijn » Running OSX on pc hardware

Just checked and it looks like that article is 2005, but it may still be useful

Chris

KenONeill · 28-09-2006, 13:21

Tavia, the position is normally that you technically don't own an o/s, or s/w, that you've "bought". What you've done is bought a licence to use the s/w, "in accordance with the enclosed licence 'agreement' ", so, if Apple only licence OS/X for use on Apple Macintosh computers, installing it on, say, a Dell is a breach of the licence 'agreement', and therefore technically "theft of copyright" AIUI.

**TaviaRS** · 28-09-2006, 13:23

Good point. Not read the licence agreement (never seem to get round to reading any of them

)

skodaw · 28-09-2006, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenONeill

Tavia, the position is normally that you technically don't own an o/s, or s/w, that you've "bought". What you've done is bought a licence to use the s/w, "in accordance with the enclosed licence 'agreement' ", so, if Apple only licence OS/X for use on Apple Macintosh computers, installing it on, say, a Dell is a breach of the licence 'agreement', and therefore technically "theft of copyright" AIUI.

I had not thought of that myself. Shame really OSx with the power of a decent PC spec would be awesome!

Mort · 28-09-2006, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by skodaw

I had not thought of that myself. Shame really OSx with the power of a decent PC spec would be awesome!

OSX with the power of a decent Mac spec is awesome. I guess thats what Apple are kinda hoping for really?

octavia98 · 28-09-2006, 15:59

My (Probably flawed...) understanding is that Free BSD has been heavily borrowed from for OSX. Run it on what you like!

KenONeill · 28-09-2006, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by octavia98

My (Probably flawed...) understanding is that Free BSD has been heavily borrowed from for OSX. Run it on what you like!

If that's correct, then you can run the OSX kernel on anything you like. I'm not sure that the same thing applies to the Macintosh X-environment though (much as I would like the idea of a dual boot OSX / Linux machine).

mattbeef · 28-09-2006, 23:19

os x is based around the darwin kernel with apple's own code in there to make stuff work as they put it "right out the box"

If you want to run os x then you need a mac even though there are many themes that try to clone it. Often imitated and all that

skodaw · 28-09-2006, 23:24

I have decided that I will wait, as soon as I have somewhere to live on the mainland I will order a 24" iMac, with some nice accesories - the apple store is just too tempting, lots of good software and stuff.

I've been browsing the site for a couple of weeks and have a saved basket with the items I want, apple sent me a promo code that will give me a whole £20 discount!!! --- BIG DEAL

cheezemonkhai · 29-09-2006, 01:24

OS X runs the Mach kernel and no you can't run it on standard PC hardware without a kludge TM, however that Kludge TM can be and has been, broken at any time by an OS update.

The Mac doesn't use a BIOS for a start and there is a TPM chip on the mobo to i believe.

Gwilo · 29-09-2006, 06:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

The Mac doesn't use a BIOS for a start and there is a TPM chip on the mobo to i believe.

Correct, it uses EFI, which is one of the reasons that Mac's boot up so much quicker than most PC's....
Yes, there is a TPM chip as well. Funny though how the Mac can be very easily turned into a Windows box, yet the other way round it a bit of a nightmare. It's down to a business model based on making profit from hardware, unlike MS, which make it from software......the argument goes that if OSX could be run "out of the box" on any PC hardware, Apple wouldn't make as much money and wouldn't be able to develop shiny new hardware as they'd be forever focussing on software updates and trying to cram as many drivers into the OS as possible - whereas at present they can tightly control what hardware the OS get's installed on, so ensure it "runs straight out of the box".

cheezemonkhai · 29-09-2006, 16:39

Seriously though, if you want MacOS X I would go get a decently priced MAC and run bootcamp to run XP on it should you want that too. As said MacOS X "just works" on mac hardware and the hardware is usually pretty good too.

I would say however make sure you get applecare when you buy one.

skodaw · 29-09-2006, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

I would say however make sure you get applecare when you buy one.

Not knowing about iMac's or Apple I have already built this in on my list - don't want to get caught for an expensive repair.

28-09-2006, 11:40	#1
skodaw Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: This area is under construction - please call back later :) Posts: 3,186 Thanks: 2 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	OSX on a PC? I see that Apple now use intel processors, and that if you want you can install windows on an Apple. So what about using a PC - format the drive and install OSX ??? Can it be done ? - Would it work ? I like the idea of the iMac - but I have a recently built v.high spec PC and wondered if it was possible. __________________ Dave '05 Silver Fabia vRS

28-09-2006, 12:31	#2
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? I would have thought it would be, but no doubt I'm wrong. Could be tempted by a dual boot...... __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

28-09-2006, 12:33	#3
Gwilo Undercover Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Manchester Posts: 3,671 Thanks: 17 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? it's do-able, but technically illegal. __________________

28-09-2006, 12:41	#4
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? Why? If you have bought OSX, surely it is up to you what it is installed on __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

28-09-2006, 12:54	#5
ScoobyChris Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Andover Posts: 18,192 Thanks: 15 Thanked 335 Times in 289 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? Andrej Koelewijn » Running OSX on pc hardware Just checked and it looks like that article is 2005, but it may still be useful Chris __________________ Holding up the traffic in a little Italian..........

28-09-2006, 13:21	#6
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally somewhere in Scotland! Posts: 11,010 Thanks: 63 Thanked 543 Times in 531 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? Tavia, the position is normally that you technically don't own an o/s, or s/w, that you've "bought". What you've done is bought a licence to use the s/w, "in accordance with the enclosed licence 'agreement' ", so, if Apple only licence OS/X for use on Apple Macintosh computers, installing it on, say, a Dell is a breach of the licence 'agreement', and therefore technically "theft of copyright" AIUI.

28-09-2006, 13:23	#7
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? Good point. Not read the licence agreement (never seem to get round to reading any of them ) __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

28-09-2006, 15:59	#10
octavia98 Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 152 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? My (Probably flawed...) understanding is that Free BSD has been heavily borrowed from for OSX. Run it on what you like!

28-09-2006, 23:19	#12
mattbeef Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sheffield Posts: 3,367 Thanks: 36 Thanked 116 Times in 115 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? os x is based around the darwin kernel with apple's own code in there to make stuff work as they put it "right out the box" If you want to run os x then you need a mac even though there are many themes that try to clone it. Often imitated and all that __________________ I few bits here and there but im happy to Performance Torque Go on click me you know you want to

28-09-2006, 23:24	#13
skodaw Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: This area is under construction - please call back later :) Posts: 3,186 Thanks: 2 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? I have decided that I will wait, as soon as I have somewhere to live on the mainland I will order a 24" iMac, with some nice accesories - the apple store is just too tempting, lots of good software and stuff. I've been browsing the site for a couple of weeks and have a saved basket with the items I want, apple sent me a promo code that will give me a whole £20 discount!!! --- BIG DEAL __________________ Dave '05 Silver Fabia vRS

29-09-2006, 01:24	#14
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,432 Thanks: 101 Thanked 490 Times in 460 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? OS X runs the Mach kernel and no you can't run it on standard PC hardware without a kludge TM, however that Kludge TM can be and has been, broken at any time by an OS update. The Mac doesn't use a BIOS for a start and there is a TPM chip on the mobo to i believe. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

29-09-2006, 16:39	#16
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,432 Thanks: 101 Thanked 490 Times in 460 Posts	Re: OSX on a PC? Seriously though, if you want MacOS X I would go get a decently priced MAC and run bootcamp to run XP on it should you want that too. As said MacOS X "just works" on mac hardware and the hardware is usually pretty good too. I would say however make sure you get applecare when you buy one. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

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