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PCtoMac-change
Feb 19, 2007, 06:49 PM
If I make a custom computer from newegg and buy the OS disk can I install OSX on it? What about if I completely whipe the HD? If not i'll just buy from Apple.


dukebound85
Feb 19, 2007, 06:49 PM
If I make a custom computer from newegg and buy the OS disk can I install OSX on it? What about if I completely whipe the HD? If not i'll just buy from Apple.

not legally and not without hacks
dllavaneras
Feb 19, 2007, 06:57 PM
If you want OS X, buy a mac. The hardware-software integration is incredible, much more than you'd get from an illegal, hacked version running on generic PC hardware
fivetoadsloth
Feb 19, 2007, 06:58 PM
Not legally, save yourself alot of trouble and buy a mac. Youll love it. :)
PCtoMac-change
Feb 19, 2007, 07:03 PM
Was gonna buy one either way. Although i'm not a big gamer, I do want to play an occasional game now and then though.
fivetoadsloth
Feb 19, 2007, 07:06 PM
For most games bootcamp will do fine, and just about as good as on a pc.
johnmartin78
Feb 19, 2007, 07:17 PM
For me the best thing about OSX is the hardware its running on.Since the components are specifically made for eachother theres a synergy you just can't get from typical PC setup.I'm pretty convinced half of windows stability problems is from the hardware it's used on.OSX running on a typical PC would likely be just as unstable.Kinda like putting a Ferrari engine in a Kia.You can do it,but why.
PCtoMac-change
Feb 19, 2007, 07:20 PM
For most games bootcamp will do fine, and just about as good as on a pc.

On the subject of Boot Camp, if I somehow get a virus while on Windows would it effect the Mac side of the HD? I won't be going on the internet on the XP..OP but i've actually had that happen. Just get on the internet, load up a game, and get one.
fivetoadsloth
Feb 19, 2007, 07:26 PM
On the subject of Boot Camp, if I somehow get a virus while on Windows would it effect the Mac side of the HD? I won't be going on the internet on the XP..OP but i've actually had that happen. Just get on the internet, load up a game, and get one.

If you get a virus in bootcamp it will not be able to effect the macosx part of your harddrive.
Xander562
Feb 19, 2007, 08:02 PM
For most games bootcamp will do fine, and just about as good as on a pc.

So long as you have the right hardware. ;) Don't buy a Mac Mini or a MacBook and expect it to have incredible gaming performance.
fivetoadsloth
Feb 19, 2007, 11:31 PM
So long as you have the right hardware. ;) Don't buy a Mac Mini or a MacBook and expect it to have incredible gaming performance.

or the low end imac (with the gma 950)
patrick0brien
Feb 20, 2007, 11:52 AM
or the low end imac (with the gma 950)

-PCtoMac-change

Well, another way to look at it, is get a machine with a separate GPU (I prefer upgradable/replaceable)
gnasher729
Feb 20, 2007, 12:15 PM
If I make a custom computer from newegg and buy the OS disk can I install OSX on it? What about if I completely whipe the HD? If not i'll just buy from Apple.

You can only buy PowerPC versions of MacOS X in the shops, so that cannot possibly work. The next version (Leopard) will come in an x86 version, but that will be an upgrade for existing Macintosh users only.

Apple doesn't produce any really cheap computers, but if you compare Macs with PCs that sell for the same price, you get excellent value for your money. If money is tight, go to the Apple Store website and check out refurbished Macs.
aranhamo
Feb 20, 2007, 12:23 PM
The next version (Leopard) will come in an x86 version, but that will be an upgrade for existing Macintosh users only.

How do you know that? Apple has never done that with OS X before (except for the free 10.1 upgrade disks). So far, every retail version of OS X has been a full, non-upgrade version for $129.
GFLPraxis
Feb 20, 2007, 12:47 PM
If I make a custom computer from newegg and buy the OS disk can I install OSX on it? What about if I completely whipe the HD? If not i'll just buy from Apple.

Macs use EFI; non-Apple PC hardware uses BIOS.

It's possible to hack Mac OS X to run on a standard PC with a BIOS, but it's not very stable, it's not legal, and you lose some features (like booting from Firewire drives and Target disk mode).

Also, the current Mac OS X disk is for PowerPC Macs, not Intel.
Roric
Feb 20, 2007, 12:56 PM
How do you know that? Apple has never done that with OS X before (except for the free 10.1 upgrade disks). So far, every retail version of OS X has been a full, non-upgrade version for $129.

Technically speaking you are right that every retail version has been a full version, as in it does not require a previous version to install and use.

On the licensing side, every retail version is an upgrade, because it only installs on Mac hardware, which shipped from Apple with a licensed copy of Mac OS.

If Apple ever chooses to allow Mac OS to be installed on non-Apple hardware (ignore the failed clones from years past), I would expect to see upgrade and full versions available. Until then, these are upgrade-licensed, fully-installable versions sold at retail.
aranhamo
Feb 20, 2007, 04:36 PM
Macs use EFI; non-Apple PC hardware uses BIOS.

There are plenty of motherboards out there that use EFI. Apple is not the only company that ships systems with EFI. In order to boot Windows, they have to support BIOS as well.

Until then, these are upgrade-licensed, fully-installable versions sold at retail.

Well that's semantics. I think most people would say that an upgrade would require a previous version or a license number from a previous version. OS X has never been licensed to a particular computer, but to one computer at a time, so the license does not belong to the computer.

It doesn't matter. It's just that when you say it's an upgrade, I think that implies that you can't install it without a previous install or license number, which has never been the case in the past. By your definition, Apple has never sold a full version of Mac OS (I believe that the clones all came with a licensed copy of Mac OS as well).
patrick0brien
Feb 20, 2007, 05:25 PM
-PCtoMac-change

Look. you can beat the sheet metal, bend the bailing wire, pound the linkages, sew the seats, and weld the wheels on, and you'll get a car that'll work pretty well, but what a PITA.

Sure, guys like yourself who like to assemble their own stuff are excluded by Apple, but please remember, you're not their market.

From a guy who's helped a few do exactly what you are proposing - it hurts.

A lot.

You might wish to consider the peace of mind of just buying one...
PCtoMac-change
Feb 21, 2007, 10:44 PM
-PCtoMac-change

Look. you can beat the sheet metal, bend the bailing wire, pound the linkages, sew the seats, and weld the wheels on, and you'll get a car that'll work pretty well, but what a PITA.

Sure, guys like yourself who like to assemble their own stuff are excluded by Apple, but please remember, you're not their market.

From a guy who's helped a few do exactly what you are proposing - it hurts.

A lot.

You might wish to consider the peace of mind of just buying one...

1. Read the whole thread.
2. Stop making it sound like I am bashing them in the bolded statement.
3. It don't hurt at all, if you read what I wrote before I said i'm buying one no matter what.

And last but not least.....putting a computer together isn't a "skill" it's common sense. It's like putting together a car engine there is only one place for it to go.
patrick0brien
Feb 21, 2007, 11:19 PM
-PCtoMac-change

First off, chill.

I did read the whole thread. But I apologize for the tone. I guess I did come across as imperious. It probably comes from going down this road so many times, I got wrapped up in the emotion of it. I'm just trying to help save you pain.

Also, to clarify my point, assembling your own PC works well, but when you try to get OSX to run on it, it is like pounding your own machine out.