EFiX Allows Mac OS X to Boot on a PC

[richard.mac]

Uhh yeah I can, run on over to newegg.com and take a look around. You would be surprised to find 4 gigs of ram doesn't actually cost $400.

But whatever. Ignorance is bliss for fanboys I suppose.

hey newbie take a look at this. pretty much exactly the same as specs as a Mac Pro except it can only handle up to 24 GB of RAM.

i guess you havent realised that a standard Mac Pro has a server grade motherboard, dual quad core Xeons, FB-DIMM memory, dual LAN, support for up to 32 GB of RAM (in both hardware and OS), best case on the market and very good cooling and acoustics. its easy to not realise this… ill let you go on this one.

 

[wheelhot]

Oh I think people who dont support hackintosh should have this similar phrase in their post signature.

Love OS X? Buy Apple products (iMac, PM, MB, MBP), dont support hackintosh cause it will hurt your beloved OS X development. Nuff said.

To me, that phrase make sense, for now maybe not but if the growing number of hackintosh users become huge until it effects Apple PC market, then OSX will be in trouble and MSoft will be jumping on their feet cheering at the fall of OSX.

 

[kis]

Rather, you should say that ALL name brand PCs are expensive. (Or even that any PC you didn't build at home is expensive.)

Not true - sorry. An HP business notebook with similar or identical specs as a Macbook Pro costs about 30-40% less.

Apart from that, Apple's bang-for-the-buck ratio varies widely throughout its product range:

- iMacs: excellent value but not professionally usable due to glossy screens and not upgradable.

- Macbooks: not so good value - the cheapest macbook doesn't contain a DVD-burner which factually makes most people buy the medium range model, which costs about 30% more than other manufacturer's midrange products

- Mac Mini - very bad value, in desperate need of an overhaul. It's cheap, but specs-wise it's a joke

- Mac Pro - excellent performance (probably too much of it) but hardly affordable, even for pros.

Apple doesn't have an affordable midrange headless desktop computer, which is why people are paying so much attention to solutions like the efix thing.

They're saying the product isn't for people who are trying to save money. Well, that's only partly true. For those people who want a regularly powerful desktop computer that they can later upgrade by themselves (e.g. by exchanging the graphics board, adding a bigger harddrive etc.) the efix dongle might be the only solution at this time. I agree it's not for everyone - but those who are able to build a computer by themselves or exchange a mainboard can save massively with this thing.

I'd greatly prefer it if Apple made a regular desktop Mac without an integrated screen - but until then, I think efix is on the right track.

peter

 

[kis]

i guess you havent realised that a standard Mac Pro has a rver grade motherboard, dual quad core Xeons, fully buffered memory, dual LAN, support for up to 32 GB of RAM (in both hardware and OS), best case on the market and very good cooling and acoustics. its easy to not realise this… ill let you go on this one.

That may be true - the Mac Pro is definitely a dream machine. However, I'm a photo semi-pro who needs a professional, upgradable computer that doesn't have a glossy screen like the iMac but also costs less than 3600 CHF. I simply can't afford a Mac Pro. Apple doesn't have anything in the normal business class of computers.

peter

 

[MacFly123]

If you can't afford a Lamborghini you just scrap together a kit car as a substitute.

And that is what it will always boil down to! I'll continue to go for Lamborghinis!

 

[kis]

No you couldn't.

Umm yes, you could.

 

[Peace]

Expandability, support for standards (not like Apple's 2nd-gen-Mac-Pro-only GeForce 8800 for instance), saving money, bragging rights -- they're all worthy reasons to someone.

Standards? Have you seen what this company supports?. Look at the motherboard list. They don't even support the board needed to house the Quad Xeon with a 1600Mhz FSB. The Mac Pro does.

And I can guarantee you. It would be very hard if not impossible to find OSX drivers for a LOT of video cards.

here are some solid numbers

a dual g5 1.8 which runs at about 145f and could x-bench about 100 points with upgraded ram and video card originally cost $2500 in 2005, could be had on ebay for $800 - $1000 now

a quad core hack at 2.4ghz runs at 85f with a custom heatsync (not water cooled). Cost $1000 now. x-bench at 200 points. and the upgraded video card doesnt have a premium for having an apple bios. comes with pci and pci-e slots, and you might have to work a little to get the video card working.

a core 2 duo iMac at 2.8ghz runs somewhere in the 120f. with no expandability x-bench at about 140 points.... I could go on

Comparing a 3 year old G5 to a new system is kind of useless

If your serious about working in the digital realm, the means to the end of the day, the next big break through, putting food on the table... these are all that matters.

Also time waisted in hacking up a hack will pay for buying the MacPro. Spend more time with your loved ones. Buy from the Apple store .

Sources -> My own experience, http://www.intelmactemp.com, http://db.xbench.com/

Uhh yeah I can, run on over to newegg.com and take a look around. You would be surprised to find 4 gigs of ram doesn't actually cost $400.

But whatever. Ignorance is bliss for fanboys I suppose.

Take a look at how much a Quad Core Xeon Processor costs. Double that cost.
Take a look at pricewatch.com. The components in the 8-core Mac Pro are very expensive even if your building your own system.


This new company is just another company trying to take advantage of the true innovator.

It will pass.


It's not even available in the U.S.

 

[gifford]

The day Apple allows the great Mac OS X to run on any PC-Windows out there, Microsoft will be history in three years. It is amazing that Apple did not learn from the mistakes made 25 years ago. And now is the time! Grow market share to two digits and beyond. It is that easy!

You have no idea.

 

[richard.mac]

That may be true - the Mac Pro is definitely a dream machine. However, I'm a photo semi-pro who needs a professional, upgradable computer that doesn't have a glossy screen like the iMac but also costs less than 3600 CHF. I simply can't afford a Mac Pro. Apple doesn't have anything in the normal business class of computers.

peter

exactly. there too much power and its too expensive for a novice user IMO. but for a professional that will utilise the power its a great price. ive noticed a lot more people these days are using a MacBook Pro as a desktop as its affordable and competes with the power of a desktop computer.

 

[kis]

If you can't afford a Lamborghini you just scrap together a kit car as a substitute.

And that is what it will always boil down to! I'll continue to go for Lamborghinis!

Your example should be like this:
If there were only Lamborghinis and SMARTs, then yes, people would probably scrap together kit cars.

I'm glad you're buying Lamborghinis but 99.9% of the population can't afford them.

peter

 

[theBB]

While installing osx on a non-apple product might technically be a violation, its irrelevant in this case. You don't really sue a company for illegal actions that its customers might do.

That line of argument did not work for Napster.

If Apple releases a $1000 headless desktop, the need for all this struggle would fade away, but Apple seems to believe that the potential market is too small to make a new product line worthwhile.

 

[richard.mac]

Umm yes, you could.

"bow-bow"… nope, sorry youre wrong!

protip: press your home button.

 

[kis]

exactly. there too much power and its too expensive for a novice user IMO. but for a professional that will utilise the power its a great price. ive noticed a lot more people these days are using a MacBook Pro as a desktop as its affordable and competes with the power of a desktop computer.

I have a Macbook Pro (and use it exclusively for photo editing) and am looking to replace it for two reasons:

- It's a tad too slow because of the notebook harddrive
- It's not expandable. I have 5 external harddrives sitting on my desk and frankly, that's a bit messy.

peter

 

[richard.mac]

^ this is why people enter the Hackintosh realm.

take a look at this build.
disclaimer: in no way am i supporting OSx86 with this link. its purely to show the price of a mid ranged desktop computer.

 

[Peace]

I have a Macbook Pro (and use it exclusively for photo editing) and am looking to replace it for two reasons:

- It's a tad too slow because of the notebook harddrive
- It's not expandable. I have 5 external harddrives sitting on my desk and frankly, that's a bit messy.

peter

Can you point me to any portable that you can "expand" an additional five hard drives inside ?


I swear. Half the people here don't make any sense. Or lack common sense.

 

[kis]

"bow-bow"… nope, sorry youre wrong!

protip: press your home button.

Well, we can continue this ad nauseam but I can assure you, I can build a machine with the same power specs as a Mac Pro for half the price. You're right in that I can't "build" the sexy case and the intelligently solved space allocation inside but that wouldn't make my pictures look better, anyway.

I have nothing against the Mac Pro. I'd love to own one. But I can't afford one. The Mac Pro had a better bang-for-the-buck ratio when it was released but since then, the competition's prices have fallen by 50% while the Mac Pro is still sold for the same money.

peter

 

[gifford]

So basically, many of you are part time thieves, and have a copy of Economics For Simpletons.

 

[Peace]

Well, we can continue this ad nauseam but I can assure you, I can build a machine with the same power specs as a Mac Pro for half the price. You're right in that I can't "build" the sexy case and the intelligently solved space allocation inside but that wouldn't make my pictures look better, anyway.

I have nothing against the Mac Pro. I'd love to own one. But I can't afford one. The Mac Pro had a better bang-for-the-buck ratio when it was released but since than, the competition's prices have fallen by 50% while the Mac Pro is still sold for the same money.

peter

Links please ?

 

[kis]

Can you point me to any portable that you can "expand" an additional five hard drives inside ?


I swear. Half the people here don't make any sense. Or lack common sense.

Yes, and you're one of them.
I have a Macbook Pro because I can't afford a Mac Pro and because Apple doesn't have a midrange computer. I'd like to replace my Macbook Pro with a desktop computer, not with a portable that can take 5 additional hardrives. I'd love that desktop computer to be a mac but as Apple doesn't throw one at me, I'll have to consider the efix thing.

peter

 

[kis]

Links please ?

Links to what? To your brain?

 

[Bonte]

That is craaazy. Especially when not saving money... Why bother
Besides if you want "Ultimate Performance" Get a Mac Pro...

Next year or so the device will cost $30 and every home-brew PC shop will have it standard installed if you want to. We'll have a dual booting $300 PC, this is a major milestone.

Don't know yet if i would want to rate this positive or negative.

 

[deggs37]

hey newbie take a look at this. pretty much exactly the same as specs as a Mac Pro except it can only handle up to 24 GB of RAM.

i guess you havent realised that a standard Mac Pro has a server grade motherboard, dual quad core Xeons, FB-DIMM memory, dual LAN, support for up to 32 GB of RAM (in both hardware and OS), best case on the market and very good cooling and acoustics. its easy to not realise this… ill let you go on this one.

Hey newbie, what normal user needs a $1500 SERVER processor???? Nice try though.
Even though some of your selections are questionable on that list you made. You could still subtract $1200 from your list if you were smarter about your processor and get the same performance.

And the standard Mac Pro does not have dual-quad core.

 

[Peace]

I have a Macbook Pro (and use it exclusively for photo editing) and am looking to replace it for two reasons:

- It's a tad too slow because of the notebook harddrive
- It's not expandable. I have 5 external harddrives sitting on my desk and frankly, that's a bit messy.

peter

Yes, and you're one of them.
I have a Macbook Pro because I can't afford a Mac Pro and because Apple doesn't have a midrange computer. I'd like to replace my Macbook Pro with a desktop computer, not with a portable that can take 5 additional hardrives. I'd love that desktop computer to be a mac but as Apple doesn't throw one at me, I'll have to consider the efix thing.

peter

Your first post implied you were looking for a portable.

Links to what? To your brain?

Links to prices for barebone components that are the same as the Mac Pro but half as expensive.



Here's a link for you.

http://castle.pricewatch.com/s/search.asp?s=quad+core+XEON+2.8GHZ&srt=t&mi=0&m=&view=

That's the typical price for a quad core Xeon CPU. $845. Just for one.

$1700 just for the CPU's

You can do the rest of the math I hope.

 

[Tensakun]

Heck Psystar can just start installing these little gizmos into their Open Computer and their in business.

Well, I suppose. But considering their childish attempts at a promo video and stumbles thru court, why buy from them when you could get it to work on a mainstream Dell or IBM or a grounds-up homebuilt PC?

Personally, I'm going to watch this carefully and give these guys the benefit of the doubt for now. And watch how Apple reacts

 

[Beric]

Wow, this discussion is intense and personal. I'll stay out and go to sleep.

Just one thing - I'm really excited about this. Looks great. I'll see how it goes, but if everything goes well, I might sell my Macbook, buy a powerful 17" laptop PC for $1500, and install OS X through this.

Only time will tell, though.