Building your own mac

[Storrow]

so since mac runs on intel now whats stopping me from buying a case throwing an intel motherboard and processor in it and installing OSX? Is it possible to build a computer from scratch and instead of installing Bill install Steve?

if its possible im going to do it today.

[Queso]

Possible yes, but do a search on these forums for OSX on Intel or OSX on x86 and you'll see all the issues involved really don't make it worth it.

[Storrow]

actually i think i already know the answer, is it because OSX only supports the hardware apple programs it for?

[Maxiseller]

In a word : No!

Reason? EFI. I'm not sure of the ins and outs but it isn't possible to grab a bunch of components and get them to work together off the shelf.

If price is your issue, check out the new iMac. At $999 it's a steal - and the Mac Mini is great value too.

[Storrow]

Possible yes, but do a search on these forums for OSX on Intel or OSX on x86 and you'll see all the issues involved really don't make it worth it.

ok ill search that

[Storrow]

In a word : No!

Reason? EFI. I'm not sure of the ins and outs but it isn't possible to grab a bunch of components and get them to work together off the shelf.

If price is your issue, check out the new iMac. At $999 it's a steal - and the Mac Mini is great value too.


money isnt an issue i just think it would fun to try :)

[bigandy]

First off you're breaking the law by installing MacOS X on a non-mac computer.

Secondly, you're not going to find an EFI based motherboard for sale. They just don't exist. Macs use EFI the same way they used Open Firmware, or PCs use BIOS. It's just completely different.

Third, Why?

[Storrow]

Third, Why?

chiiiiiilllllll not trying to break the law just thought it was interesting.

[tipdrill407]

Yes it will work
Yes it is illegal
Yes it is impractical, you'll spend more time getting it to work than actually using the computer.

[vniow]

EFI is not needed but the amount of compatible hardware is limited in any case, Previous posters are correct when they say you'll spend more time geting it working right than actually using it. Its more of a tweaker's toy to have fun with rather than making something useable with it.

[stapler]

Let's just say it's not a "double-click to install" sort of deal.

[generik]

First off you're breaking the law by installing MacOS X on a non-mac computer.

Secondly, you're not going to find an EFI based motherboard for sale. They just don't exist. Macs use EFI the same way they used Open Firmware, or PCs use BIOS. It's just completely different.

Third, Why?

Yes it will work
Yes it is illegal
Yes it is impractical, you'll spend more time getting it to work than actually using the computer.

You will end up in PMITA prison with the child molestors and serial killers! Don't do it!

[gnasher729]

so since mac runs on intel now whats stopping me from buying a case throwing an intel motherboard and processor in it and installing OSX? Is it possible to build a computer from scratch and instead of installing Bill install Steve?

if its possible im going to do it today.

First step: Buy a MacMini, which comes with MacOS X, delete it from the MacMini, turning it into a nice looking tiny bit of junk, and then it may be (or may be not) legal to install it on that PC. That would be against the MacOS X license agreement which may or may not be binding. Remember that installing a copy of MacOS X is definitely illegal.

Now what would be really cool: Buy an old Macintosh cube. Find a PC motherboard that fits, add a 2.66 GHz dual core Conroe, and a big harddisk, and make it all work. Since it is an Apple-labelled computer, your chances that installing MacOS X for Intel is legal are much better. And it would be cool!