“Did you hear the one about the Dell Mini Netbooks that run Mac OS X? You didn’t? The Dell Mini 7 and 9 (and probably the 10 also) can be easily modified with a small software download, which allows the user to install and run Apple’s Mac OS X v10.5. And it runs very well, too. Although this is actually quite old news, there’s an interesting aside to this that could have major implications,” Robert Peckham blogs for PCR.
“The question that begs asking in light of that is why is Apple are allowing this? The software download comes from Dell itself – not some small independent ‘hackintosh’ developer, and full instructions are available via Dell’s website. It’s very unlikely Apple would allow this without approving it, and there’s no Apple alternative to Dell’s excellent ‘Mini’ series of netbooks – not yet, anyway,” Peckham writes.
“But at the same time, Apple is preparing to do battle with three very small clone makers who have got Mac OS X running on Wintel hardware using a similar software modification to Dell’s,” Peckham writes. “So if Dell is allowed to broadcast the fact you can run the Mac OS on its netbooks via its website, I have a feeling that the legal teams for the clone makers will be watching developments very closely.”
Full article here.
why is Apple are allowing this?
There’s nothing on Dell’s website to corroborate this story. “Move along, these aren’t the droids you’re looking for.”
Nice grammar.
Dells web site is pretty large so where exactly?
Could this be Dell telling the world they really are Pystar backers?
looks to be just a ‘bootloader’ for installing another OS perhaps Linux?
I doubt the validity of this story. There are Dell Mini forums that tell you how to do it, not Dell itself.
@ nice grammar, that’s my job. Find yourself another neighbourhood!
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For a company with such high standards, allowing superior software on inferior hardware would be uncharacteristic . . . Not to mention disappointing.
Respect is hard to earn and easily lost. Let’s hope this is not the case.
Apple’s not allowing this. Dell just made a series of net books with Mac OS X compatible hardware and let nature take it’s course.
Another piece of smelly brown stuff from Shyster to make it appear that it is not on its own. The new lawyers hope to create a case where Apple inc. have to provide answers to an imaginary situation thus knocking them of course in their suit against them. Meanwhile, Shyster can try to sell more of their Kangaroo Poo in order to meet their new lawyers fees.
True or not, why should Apple care? It’s not as though Apple is actually SUPPORTING Hackintosh projects and spending money on support for dicey setups
If Apple is selling more copies of Mac OS X and more Mac OS X software is being sold to run on those systems, that’s a bad thing? It could be a great sales tool.
Let’s somebody has their Hackintosh rig running, but can’t reliably run software that requires Mac hardware. If they like running Mac OS X enough, maybe they’ll buy the real thing.
You never know.
“The question that begs asking … is … this”
Why would anyone WANT to run OSX on a Dell ?
Well, least anyone who doesn’t have their head up their you know what ?
Probably some who’d buy a Lamborghini to sit in traffic in New York City
BC
I agree, this smells really fishy. More cowboy tactics from Psheister’s new legal team, I expect.
“If Apple is selling more copies of Mac OS X and more Mac OS X software is being sold to run on those systems, that’s a bad thing?”
———————-
Yes, it is a bad thing because:
1. Though Apple is gaining a sale of OSX for $129, they are also potentially losing a sale of a Mac which costs between $599 (mini) and $3299 (MacPro.)
2. The Apple experience is a two part equation, great software and great hardware.. Removing just one of those ingredients will kill the user experience that Apple is known for.
I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but what about if Apple sells a kind of light version of OS X for standard PCs?
Microsoft is down on one knee and Apple smells blood. Apple knows that it isn’t the hardware that we go back for, it’s OS X.
OS X IS THE MACINTOSH.
so everybody can have a taste of it. And if you want to enjoy all of the advantages of OS X and the Pro Apps, just get a real Mac.
Hope not to be killed for this comments….
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it’s a slippery slope!!
They’re probably not even paying for the OS as it is!
No, if they were going to allow “Clones” then it needs a strict licence, not the easy going one for Mac’s. Perhaps sans certain higher level features.
Otherwise, it would make some sense – a new take on OS X.
OS X Mac (10.6), OS X Mobile (3.0), and OS X PC!
This is great news for those who want to be freed from Apple’s overpriced and low grade hardware. Psystar is putting up the good fight but Dell will easily be able to do more than Psystar.
“The question that begs asking in light of that is why is Apple are allowing this?”
Some people have a way with grammar. Others… not have way.
I think the difference is that Pystar is selling a product as a whole Mac Clone and as a whole legitimate product. They are hacking the OS to work and then selling it as a licensed product.
The Dell issue is an end user choice. We can buy the 2 products and merge them together ourselves. Once we own them, we can do whatever we want so long as we don’t mass produce them and sell them.
Apple most likely does not care because the user base that would actually hack the Dell to do this is so small it’s not relevant.
People are installing Leopard on Dell Mini 9s, which share some key specs with the Air and which, aside from a completely crappy nonstandard keyboard, are an excellent value given the sub-$300 price. Unlike most PCs, this model Dell has components and associated drivers that are entirely natively compatible with Leopard: blue tooth, wifi, usb, SD slot, touchpad, etc. Some have suggested that this was a deliberate move by Dell to boost sales for an unofficial, unsupported, word-of-mouth-only OS X-capable netbook
But that unproven theory is a far cry from the bogus premise of this story — that Apple and Dell are colluding and that Dell is actively hosting OS X enabling files. The writer just made that up — he’s either stupid or a liar, or both.
The enabling efi bootloader files are not from, made, hosted or sanctioned by Dell. They are user-created, to allow un-altered Leopard retail disks to be installed on the Dell Mini and a few other compatible netbook platforms. They can be found at a website called the Dell Mini Forum, which is not owned or operated by Dell Computers.
As far as I can tell, no one is making any money off these “hacks” — the bootloader is free, and does not include any Apple files, altered or otherwise. This is why Apple has taken no action, I’m sure. There is no Psystar type business behind it, and the numbers are no doubt miniscule.
Here’s an interesting tidbit, though: The EULA for Leopard states that it may be installed only on Apple labeled hardware. That’s why you might see Dell netbooks out there with Apple decals covering the Dell logo on the lid.
Ever wonder why Leopard ALWAYS comes with Apple logo decals in the box? Many people think it’s because these included decals allow non-Apple hardware to run the Mac OS and yet still comply with the letter of the EULA.
Just sayin…..
Excuse me, Peckerham, but Dell does *not* broadcast the fact that you can turn their Mini 7 and Mini 8’s into a hackintosh. They don’t offer software for allowing them to run OS X, either.
Next time, please make sure you’re sober before hitting the ‘ol keyboard, Rob.
“Nature take its course.”
Not “it’s.” Its, your, are possessive. It’s means it is, and you’re means you are.
What an illiterate country we’ve become. Enough with the texting- read a book! (An old book.)
I think we found out who is behind Psystar.
@rattymouse
Wandered in here by mistake? Is your Psystar hackintosh screwing up?
I love the grammar police. I nearly snorted liquid out of my nose. Thanks 2stroker. It is a shame auramac…
Hallelujah !!!
the Mac Evangelists are here!!!
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Why is Apple allowing this? Probably because there is nothing that they can do to stop it. Duh.
Dell is not selling Mac OS X. They are not installing it on their computers. They are just simply giving away software that they developed in house. Apple has no Copyright on something Dell Produced themselves. Further, there is nothing illegal about a set of instructions. Instructions are instructions. Dell could put online a set of instructions for preparing heroine. THey are not selling heroine, nor are they administering the drug. It’s just simply a set of instructions.
Unlike Psystar Dell does not resell OS X. There’s no legal play here and neither Dell nor Microsoft benefit. Dell does not want to piss off MS now or ever.
theloniousMac writes, “Apple knows that it isn’t the hardware that we go back for, it’s OS X.”
Actually, it’s both. Compare, for example, Apple’s iMac against the poor all-in-one imitations offered by Dell and HP. Compare Apple’s notebooks for sheer “sweat the details” design against the rest . And anyone who’s looked inside a Mac Pro or Xserve knows that form can be far more than function; it can inspire.
@@Nice Grammer,
Maybe he likes GMILFs.
@ rattiemouse, you’re assuming Apple’s hardware is overpriced. I’d like to think that it’s very competitive for what you get.
Or, I suppose you could look at it this way. Apple sells it’s hardware at a large discount over what Dell, HP and the generic PC market charges for similar hardware. Then they build in the cost of OS X, bringing the total cost of a Mac to what you see in the store. If Microsoft can charge something like $400-500 for Vista (for the full version, retail), Apple can “charge” $400-500 for OS X built into the cost of their computers.
Apple’s $129 is an “upgrade” after all. They assume you’ve already bought an earlier version of OS X with the Mac you’re going to upgrade.
Please say, “raises the question” when that is what you mean, save “begs the question” for the real meaning.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question
Oh never mind, it’s the internets. Can’t expect too much from people who write for the general public. I guess.
“Apple hints at OS X on PCs?”
Umm . . . they did no such thing.
And if Dell is aiding/assisting users in violating copyrights then they’re in for trouble.
Hardware? Come on, the new Mini Dells are running the same chipset as the MacBook Air…when you fire it up the first time, run through the OS setup..Apple “thanks you” for registering your “new” Mac Book Air. So very funny. It’s the OS that matters!!!!
“The EULA for Leopard states that it may be installed only on Apple labeled hardware”
—————-
Exactly.. Not to mention that the retail box of Leopard OSX is only $129 because it is an UPGRADE for consumers who have already purchased a Mac with an older version of OSX.. If Apple had intended it to be installed on non Apple hardware, it would cost a heck of a lot more than $129.. Psystar doesn’t stand a chance.
Big difference between offering a bootloader to customers, and actually installing OS X on your computers and selling them as Mac “clones”.
“This is great news for those who want to be freed from Apple’s overpriced and low grade hardware.”
That is a Psystar you bought putz…..
Shit bogus story. MDN should just pull it. A mistake to publish it.
Honestly though, if Apple were to release PC OS X, they would kill Microsoft in the “netbook” market. Not only that, allow a lot of PC uesers to “upgrade” their systems without throwing out any previous investments, because it could still run their old version of Windows using bootcamp or a virtual application.
@ auramac,
I don’t live in your country asshole.
In my country it’s is possessive.
Americans are so insular it hurts just communicating with them.
It won’t happen because it’s too late to release OS X for PCs. The fight is over. The web won. From now on, applications will run on all browsers and will be compatible with all computers. The OS as we know it is becoming irrelevant. The browser is the ultimate platform. Google realized that and is one step ahead of Apple and Microsoft with the Chrome OS. All people gonna need in the future is a browser.
“All people gonna need in the future is a browser.”
————————–
And how are people going to open a browser app without an OS?
MikeK, browsers will only use the kernel of OSs to run on top
@ Big Als MBP:
“In my country it’s is possessive.”
Citation needed. I suggest you check one of your country’s dictionaries.
“browsers will only use the kernel of OSs to run on top”
———————————–
It is going to be many, many years before pro’s in audio and film begin working with gigs and gigs of audio and video data in cloud based apps..
To all,
Just a thought here…….. Microsoft does lots of crap to keep people from stealing their software. Its hard to protect software because of its very nature.
Apple sells hardware that comes with software. You mostly need their hardware to run their software.., easy.
Now maybe that is why Apple is staying away from selling or giving away their software to run on pc crapola. No, I repeat NO MONEY in it for Apple. And a big loss cause why pay for good Apple hardware when you can steal the OS and use it on your cheap PC. ???????
However, Apple does not fight what people do with stuff in their own home….. just do not go public and try to sell it. PS, While Apple may one day sell the OS for pc systems (what an MS Killer
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” /> ) I do not see it happening for a long time. Not unless there is a way for Apple to lock the two parts together. THEIR PC hardware and their PC version of the OS.
Just a thought.
en
…”In my country it’s is possessive.”
I don’t know which country that would be, but in original (“queen’s”) English, as well as in the American official version, as well as in most other English-speaking lands, the rules are as follows:
it’s an abbreviated form of it is (as in: “It’s a boy!”)
its a possessive form for it (as in: “Apple and its products are leaders in the tech field”)
The confusion may come from the usual rule for forming possessive form (adding ‘s after a noun: “Microsoft’s big mistake”, or “Apple’s perceived monopoly”).
I have never seen it’s users in the possessive form.
Let’s not forget PCs, CDs, Macs and others; notice the lack of apostrophe (‘) in the plural. Four out of five posters in MDN’s forums tend to say “Mac’s” when they mean two or more Macintosh computers.
Poor English most effectively and quickly reduces the credibility of a message (and it is often easy to tell a simple typo from sloppy language).
</end of rant>
I doubt that anyone is buying a copy of MacOS X to install on a Hackintosh. There are plenty of ways to download a copy on the web so people who are bothered to get the bootloader will likely not pay for the OS.
Apple probably don’t care because the number of PCs running OS X is small. If this becomes a major issue there will probably be some activation required for everyone.
“All people gonna need in the future is a browser.”
You realize that your vision of the “future” is a rehash of terminal computing circa the 1970’s, the only difference being that this time the dumb terminals connect to the mainframe over the internet?
The whole idea of “browsers as the ultimate platform” is thin coat of new paint over a geriatric paradigm that was displaced by the personal computer a long, long time ago.
Your “way forward” is the way backards into the stoneage of computing.
It’s past time you stuck your head in a bag.
Another retarded blogger trolling for hits‚ which I unfortunately gave him because I wanted to see a link to the portion of Dell’s site that “gives instructions” about how to hack a Mini.
Short answer: there isn’t one. Mydellmini.com is not a Dell site. Coincidence: no link provided by the blogger.
I have a blog too. I’m wondering how misinformed my posts have to be before MDN picks them up. I could sure use the pageviews!
Not gonna happen. I’ve been through this so many times I’m utterly bored.
If it is true that Dell is offering Mac OS X via their website, they’re F*CKED. For those who think Apple would sit around and twiddle thumbs if this were happening: Witness the Psystar case. Apple sat around and waited for them to dig deep with their investment into their SCAM /then/ sued them. At this point they’ve gone bankrupt. Despite reorganization and pushing forward with their SCAM, they are dead in the water. AND Apple suing their asses off.
Conclusion: Apple plan their strategies very carefully so they can effectively wipe SCAMMERS off the face of the planet. This is far more effective than playing Wack-A-Scammer every other week.
Also note: Not one PC user running Mac OS X will ever receive any tech support from Apple. Because of Apple’s requirement for hardware serial numbers from callers, everyone who buys a SCAM box is SOL, on their own, the end. Have fun. You could have bought a Mac, but instead you bought a world of hurt. Great decision there kid.
@auramac
“America and England are two nations divided by a common language.” – George Bernard Shaw
@Big Als MBP
I’m really curious as to which country you live in, where “it’s” is possessive, and it’s common to hurl epithets at people who are grammatically correct.
May I suggest some fun reading for you and your fellow citizens?
Eats, Shoots and Leaves
So this author is saying that by doing nothing, Apple is approving Mac OS X on PCs. As many have pointed out, it looks like Dell is not doing anything unusual either. And people can find ways to illegally install Mac OS X on generic PC hardware. Apple is not going after individuals, only companies that pre-install Mac OS X on computers and sell them that way.
Absolutely ridiculous.
@Dog Gone
I did.
personally, I’d love it if Apple licensed OS X. I think it woul be awesome, and I’d still buy Apple computers.
G Spank sez: “personally, I’d love it if Apple licensed OS X. I think it woul be awesome, and I’d still buy Apple computers.”
Good sentiment, considering the harmonious software & hardware marriage Apple provides. **Bells Ringing**
But Apple have no incentive to separate the OS from the hardware. For those of you having déja vu, move along. It’s the same old lecture I always give:
1) HARDWARE HORRORS: Supporting generic, gawd-knows-what-FrankenMac hardware is a big fat PITA. Steve Jobs knows this first hand. When he ran NeXT and they gave up making their own hardware, they allowed NeXTStep and OpenStep to run on generic IBM-derived PCs. They had a booklet they distributed with the OS. It was over 80 pages long. The booklet was filled with specific PC hardware setups that were supported. Now imagine being Apple and having to (a) Sort out what hardware Joe Blow has (b) Seeing if it qualifies for Mac OS X (c) Then having to troubleshoot those pages and pages of hardware setups. Why would Apple want to stick their neck into that snake pit? They won’t.
2) PROFIT: Apple make the majority of their money from HARDWARE, not their software, including Mac OS X.
3) BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Apple have already tested these waters and drowned. It happened after the 1996 $1 BILLION of unwanted Performas in the warehouse horror that sent Apple spiraling into decline, and killed them in the press. Apple was in desperation mode, which is when people are at their worst. They made a terribly stooopid decision and listened to the press who had been stooopidly saying for years that Apple should become Microsoft and sell their OS for PCs. Considering that PowerPC chips at the time were seriously 2X faster than current Intel chips, forget that. But Apple did sell Mac OS to manufacturers who followed the PowerPC hardware spec. This included PowerComputing, UMax and Motorola.
And Apple lost their shirt. In 1998, when Steve Jobs was reinstated as CEO, one of his first actions was to STOP selling Mac OS to 3rd party companies. That step, along with the innovations of the iMac got Apple back on track again with what it does best: marrying hardware with software. **Bells Ringing**
That’s how I like it, and how most other experienced Mac users like itl. Consider it part of the genetics that make a Mac a Mac and gives it all the that ‘It Just Works’ goodness that warms your tummy on a cold winter night.
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e e cummings hear
wood not a chance
stand
BC
I currently have 4 Macs (Mini, Macbook Air, 20″ Late 07 iMac, and a Power Mac G4) none of them I would have not bought if not for stumbling onto a hackintosh site one night and thinking that that could be a fun little project to attempt. I got Tiger running on my P4. After running it awhile I decided I’d like a new Mac so I got the iMac and my computer life changed. I currently have a hackintosh MSI Wind netbook. I use it at work where I use my laptop to run internet tests and configure network equipment when I go to customers locations. I can boot it and run everything I need to and turn it off running OS X faster than I can get it booted up running windows. It only cost $300.. OS X is the heart of a Mac. Design comes second. The hardware is not much different. Intel, ATI, Nvidia, Seagate, etc. doesn’t make special “BETTER” hardware for Apple.
“You realize that your vision of the “future” is a rehash of terminal computing circa the 1970’s, the only difference being that this time the dumb terminals connect to the mainframe over the internet?”
Wasn’t the iPhone just a rehash of the Newton?
All your bases are belong to us.
@ Big Als MBP
“In my country it’s is possessive.”
You FAIL.
“It’s” is a contraction of “it is” and “it has” in the English language, regardless of whether it’s American, Canadian, Australian or the Queen’s English.
dell suck
Will people please stop the “in the future all you need is a browser” rubbish, been hearing it for years and it just isn’t true. One need only look at netbooks to see the flaw in this logic, the initial elation at your cool little bargain priced toy fades quickly when you realize how many rich applications won’t run on a gutted hardware platform. A full featured computer isn’t going away any time soon. We may not get the massive leaps in change we have for the last 30 years, but decent hardware with a rich OS is the only thing that makes sense.
Will more and more people turn to smartphones for their needs when they are away form their PC? Clearly, that is already happening. Will those phones run purely browser based apps? Ask Palm Pre owners how that is working out for them so far…