Getting my nerd on...

[Sammas]

Last week I finally bit the bullet and decided to build a hackintosh. It comes about after buying a cheap HD2 accel PCIx system, whilst still wanting to use some intel only software (redmatica for example, those chaps refuse to sell you anything but the current version of their products... fair enough... they are only a small operation). My G5 is pretty sluggish these days. Even running OSx Leopard. It wouldn't even handle opening new tabs on Safari well...

The only options really are:
Stick with the G5.
Buy a magma chassis ($$$$$).
Upgrade the PCIx cards to pcie and buy a mac pro ($$$).
Move to PC and windows ( )...

My build consists of:

Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3 motherboard ($76 on ebay).
Intel i7 870 2.8ghz quad core processor ($202 on ebay).
Nvidia Quadro 3700 512mb graphics card ($90 on ebay).
Antec Take 3 rack case with PSU ($200 on ebay).
500Gb 7,200 RPM hard drive ($85 new).
2x4Gb 1333mhz DDR3 ram ($60 new).
Snow Leopard retail version ($39 new from apple store).

Total: $752.00

It is the first computer I have ever built... it took a full day of tinkering and trial and error with iBoot and Multibeast (the tonymacx86 "hackintosh" installers) to get everything up and running, but it is working great! Everything is functioning as normal, except for the onboard audio and full "sleep" function accessed via the apple menu. Not a big deal. I don't use either of those... with some further tinkering you will be able to get them to work.

If I can do this, anyone can really... just make sure you choose components that are tried and tested with the version of OSx you want. There is plenty of documentation on the net about it. If you are going to use PCIx slots, you need to get a motherboard that has native PCI support - a lot of newer motherboards (particularly those that use sandybridge processors) have a PCIx to PCIe bridge. Protools HD PCIx cards will fit on the motherboard but will not work in those motherboards!

The iBoot process is simple. Simply change your motherboard bios settings to those listed in the iBoot tutorial, stick your CD with iBoot on it in your cd drive... wait for iBoot to load, then stick in your osx install DVD and install the operating system. Once installed, run the latest combo update, then Multibeast! Multibeast allows you to choose the kext files (mac equivilent to hardware drivers) for your system. There are a large number of DSDT's (predefined kext lists) on the net for most types and makes of motherboard. I simply downloaded the DSDT for the GA-P55-UD3 motherboard I have and installed it via multibeast.

Presto!

A PC running OSx.

One hint: I wasted 2 hours trying to figure out why my computer wouldn't boot with OSX after I had installed it. The problem being, I installed two additional hard drives in the computer, and it was looking for an operating system on the wrong drive. Inside BIOS you can select the priority order of your drives. Whoops!

[Manning]

Great project and I'm glad you're happy with the result.

However, why are you mocking the Windows option? I've seen PCIx systems running PT9 on an i7 and it's rock solid.

Having used Mac for the past ten years, I recently switched to Windows and I just love it. Very stable and reliable. I wish I'd done it years ago as I'd have saved a fortune.

Meanwhile *yet another* hard drive failed on the Mac Pro on Wed night. Fortunately it was only the system drive and I have all the audio backed up, but it is very annoying.

I'm not saying Macs are bad - they're obviously not. But there is simply no basis to the belief that Windows machines can't get the job done just as well.

[jkhuri44]

I recently switched to Windows and I just love it. Very stable and reliable.

whoooaaaaa....stop the press! a positive PC comment on an audio forum....

Sniggers....(pc user myself)

[Sammas]

Oh guys! Laugh a little. It was tongue in cheek. Namely because mac-evangelists rarely move to the dark-side.

I don't doubt PCs and windows do the job just as well... but after moving to mac from PC 6 years ago, I am quite willing to admit I am a mac-evangelist in terms of workflow (I kind of hate apple as a company though...). I will sell a testicle before I move back to windows.

[Paul Maybury]

I agree. P.C.'s waste my time. I run a G5 with OSX Tiger and Logic 8 on my main system, been working fine for years. Well, mostly fine....
I have some Mac tweeky friends and we have found that NOT upgrading operating systems on a stable machine is the way to go. I wouldn't dream of trying Leopard on a PPC.
I also have an Emac G4 1.42ghz cpu with 1g of ram at home using Logic 8 that can run upwards of 30 audio tracks with loads of plugs(Logic only) plus complex automation and mix them with no glitches. It's slow to re draw screens and the mouse slows to a crawl but the audio will not glitch. Pretty amazing to me.
I have been interested in the Hackintosh idea for a while. Maybe if the G5 fails terminally one day.
Cheers,
Paul Maybury

[Manning]

I am a mac-evangelist in terms of workflow

Now THAT I respect, as that comes down to personal preference.

Personally I've always disliked the Mac OS workflow, I find it clunky and awkward (and WAY too many keyboard commands). However many Mac users will say the same about Windows.

The point is it is just a matter of personal preference, there's no underlying reason that makes either platform superior. (Although if I hear one more person who has no real idea what UNIX is start banging on about it, I'll go postal).

[Kurt]

I find it interesting that certain forms of software piracy are considered ok but not others. Who decides which is ok and which is not?

From the OSX EULA

"The grants set forth in this License do not permit you to, and you agree not to, install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-branded computer, or to enable others to do so."

[jkhuri44]

^ lol. very good point.

[Alistair]

I've done very brief readings on Hackintosh stuff, but my understanding was that that clause in the Apple contract was enforceable in the USA, but anti-monopoly laws and the like made it completely unenforceable in most of the rest of the world, Australia included. Hence the reason a lot of US based forums won't discuss Hackintosh for fear of being sued, but European forums don't care.

[Drumstruck]

thanks Nathan - I've been considering converting a PC to Hack.... - your success makes it more appealing.

[Sammas]

I find it interesting that certain forms of software piracy are considered ok but not others. Who decides which is ok and which is not?

From the OSX EULA

"The grants set forth in this License do not permit you to, and you agree not to, install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-branded computer, or to enable others to do so."

That is nonsense, Kurt. Piracy is the unauthorized copying and distribution of copyrighted material. Like I stated, I purchased OSX from the apple store and have a receipt to prove it.

The terms of the EULA are another story entirely. The EULA is a contract between two entities. While the contract is interpreted under the law, it isn't a law itself. People break contracts all the time. It isn't a crime to do so. Consumer rights in Australia trump any EULA. For example, you can't take my $39, hand me a product, then wait for me to put it in use to tell me how, when, and where I can use it. That violates my right as a consumer in this country.

...and thank god for that! What would be next? Sony BMG selling you CD's that contain a EULA on the inside cover that states "Can only be played on Sony brand stereos"?

[Kurt]

You mean like the ones they sold a few years back with a rootkit that prevented people from playing CDs on their computers? They only dropped the idea because of the public backlash.

By your reasoning no contract need be adhered to.

[Manning]

Echoing Nath, under Australian Consumer Law (2011), this EULA requirement (and similar ones with other vendors) has previously been deemed unconscionable (and hence automatically nullified), as it represents "condition(s) that is/are not reasonably necessary for the protection of the legitimate interests of the supplier."

The hardware/software distinction applies when products are separated and sold individually, as the courts regard the parent company as distinct entities for the purposes of contract law. Hence Apple the software vendor cannot enforce a client into terms that only benefit Apple the hardware vendor.

If Apple were to cease selling OSX and bundle it with their machines (and provide free upgrades) then this EULA might possibly start to be enforceable. (Although there are numerous other aspects of consumer rights/freedoms that come into play.)

[Manning]

By your reasoning no contract need be adhered to.

Not true. A condition which protects the legitimate interests of the supplier will be enforceable. Should you attempt to resell, repackage or otherwise attempt to hijack their product for financial gain the courts will hold you accountable.

However, this EULA condition does not demonstrably protect the interests of Apple the software vendor, and only serves to protect the interests of Apple the hardware vendor. This is deemed anti-competitive and therefore is null under Australian law.

Even without that, once you have bought a product, it is difficult for any supplier to stop you doing whatever the hell you want with it. They can legitimately nullify the ongoing relationship (eg. warranty) but not much else. eg. Holden cannot stop you from installing one of their engines into a Ford chassis, should you so wish. (They can stop you from trying to market such a vehicle however).

[Kurt]

All that. I still find it ironic.

[jkhuri44]

the reason it's ironic is that by building a hackintosh, you are essentially voiding the requirement of buying a real macintosh....which makes Apple lose money as a company and the reason why a EULA of the type quoted above is required. yes, that seems obvious, but i just had to say it. Essentially if everyone outside the US built a hackintosh Apple would have something to say about it...and have a fair point.

[Alastair Reynolds]

Or you could go SADiE or Soundscape instead of PT and eliminate the Mac/Hac altogether, but that's a whole different discussion (..... Lob Grenade Now !!!)

[Sammas]

the reason it's ironic is that by building a hackintosh, you are essentially voiding the requirement of buying a real macintosh....which makes Apple lose money as a company and the reason why a EULA of the type quoted above is required. yes, that seems obvious, but i just had to say it. Essentially if everyone outside the US built a hackintosh Apple would have something to say about it...and have a fair point.

It isn't ironic. That is where the ruling comes in, Apple are trying to have their cake, and eat it too...

They have a choice... if they want their software to be used only on their hardware, they must sell it as a system and only as a system (ie, no independent software only purchases). You can't sell an individual a product then turn around and state "you must also buy this computer to use it".

[Manning]

the reason it's ironic is that by building a hackintosh, you are essentially voiding the requirement of buying a real macintosh....which makes Apple lose money as a company and the reason why a EULA of the type quoted above is required. yes, that seems obvious, but i just had to say it. Essentially if everyone outside the US built a hackintosh Apple would have something to say about it...and have a fair point.

It isn't ironic. That is where the ruling comes in, Apple are trying to have their cake, and eat it too...

They have a choice... if they want their software to be used only on their hardware, they must sell it as a system and only as a system (ie, no independent software only purchases). You can't sell an individual a product then turn around and state "you must also buy this computer to use it".

I did a bit of web research. Interestingly Apple actually haven't been that active in stopping Hackintosh services. General consensus is that if they did they would end up in the same Anti-Trust boat as Microsoft did with Internet Explorer. Just because you make two products, you can't use one to dictate the conduct of the consumer for the other.

Nath is right, Apple run their software division as a distinct, profit-making entity. If they ran it as a "service" division of their hardware manufacture then they'd have a much stronger argument, but they don't.

[danander11]

I find it funny that Apple will tell you that you cannot use OSX on a PC, but give you Bootcamp to use Windoze on a Mac...

[Sammas]

Just an update,

Today I upgrade/updated my system. I threw in a 60gb SSD drive next to the original system drive and did two clean install of lion using the "unibeast" USB key technique. For anyone considering a hackintosh, I would skip on passed snow leopard and do it this way. It is SOOOO incredibly simple.

The 60gb SSD drive is running lion for audio stuff only. I didn't install any kext (drivers) for the onboard audio card or ethernet so they are essentially disabled. To my surprise it is running HD8.1.1 without any issues thus far, despite Avid not officially supporting anything passed OSX 10.6.7. The original HD is running lion for mail, internet junk...

All I can say is...

SSD!

SSD!

Seriously. Holy crap! The drive cost me $89 and it is like a new computer. Everything is snappier. Once the computer gets through the motherboard bios junk when loading (you know... like a pc booting windows), OSX loads in about 4 seconds. The HD takes about 40 seconds in comparison. If you aren't running a SSD in your mac, go and get one right now!