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.

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

it's do-able, but technically illegal.

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

Andrej Koelewijn

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.

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

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!

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?

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

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).

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 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

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.

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".

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.

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.