I really hope Apple puts and end to this quickly. If you don't like the rules or limitations Apple puts on their products, buy something else. But, don't think that it's ok to break the law to achieve the end result YOU desire.
Breaking EULA isn't illegal at it has been stated hundreds of times already on this thread. It only absolves Apple from supporting your copy of the software.
As for the arguments that Macs are too expensive, think again. Any semi-professional can easily afford a Mac. The problem isn't that Macs are too expensive, rather that some people want to spend their money in other ways and have some distorted belief that computers are a commodity and should be free. These are thee same people that pirate all their songs and movies and refuse to ever buy a piece of software. I know plenty myself--the ones always asking for a copy of Leopard or the latest software.
Hello, Reality Distortion Field, nice to meet you.
If you think Apple's computers are reasonably priced, you've obviously never bought 3rd-party hardware components before. In fact, you can even buy the exact same components Apple uses in its computers for less than half the price - RETAIL - so you know Apple is getting them even cheaper. (The only hardware exception is the motherboard, but you can get those from Intel if you want guaranteed quality.) Tack on software and you're still well below the price of Apple's products. Apple is easily sweeping up 50% profit margins on their units, which is unheard of in the PC industry.
People who go the hackintosh route aren't theives. They just don't want to be ripped off. They value function over form. They want a Mac with decent graphics for under $3000. As many computer users exist, there are that many different computing needs. There is no way Apple can meet the different needs of all these users. Does that deem them unworthy to use OS X?
People who take the matter into their own hands and build hackintoshes value their needs so passionately that they're willing to put in a little extra work to have a computer that will do just what they need and not allow themselves to be funneled into a tiny subset of three computing characteristics: MacMini, iMac and MacPro. There are certainly more types of users than three, don't you agree?
STOP COMPLAINING. STOP WHINING. GET A JOB, BUDGET YOUR EXPENSES AND PAY FOR YOUR HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE!!!
I know a lot of very hard-working people who can't afford a new computer every two to three years. I am one of them. I recently graduated from college so I'm new to the workforce. My wife is still in college. We recently got married and moved into a fairly inexpensive apartment. Our monthly expenses include high-speed internet and basic phone. We "treat ourselves" to Chipotle once a week, otherwise we cook our food at home. Still, we're struggling to pay the bills. Even when she graduates and finds a job (as a teacher) there will be several years of difficulty paying bills until the student loans are paid off.
Meanwhile, I'm using a SIX YEAR-OLD iMac for Garage Band. Yes, for Garage Band. Sure, I have to lock every track before I can play anything back, but it still operates. I've been saving every dollar I get in birthday cards and Christmas cards and this year I *might* be able to afford a new MacMini. Or, I could buy a few new components for my home-built PC, a copy of Leopard (I still have an older copy of iLife I can use) and have a more-powerful, longer-lasting computer for the same price.
I guess since I can't afford the eye-candied, under-powered Steve Jobs-sanctioned Mac, I'm a jobless, slacker, who doesn't know how to budget his money, now, doesn't it?
-Clive
