Running Mac OS X on standard PCs

Kai Schmerer ZDNet Germany

Published: 14 May 2008

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Go to section: Introduction Motherboard, CPU & chipset Network, sound and graphics cards Installing Leopard on a standard PC Tips and tricks Performance Conclusion

Conclusion

With the right hardware components, a standard PC running Mac OS X Leopard is, at first sight, no different from a genuine Apple Mac. Special CPU extensions such as Intel VT-x provide support for software solutions like Parallels Desktop for Mac. Even Adobe Photoshop, which queries a Mac to verify its authenticity, runs fine on a standard PC thanks to EFI emulation. You can also use .Mac accounts and the integrated Time Machine backup feature, which didn't work with earlier Mac OS images. Graphics acceleration is no longer an issue, and nor is the digital control of LCD screens. However, you will have to accept some reduced audio functionality, and will look in vain for drivers for most PCI add-on cards.

Although the modified Mac OS images exhibit no stability problems on optimal hardware under normal conditions, not all functions are supported. Sleep mode — which puts the system into a state that consumes only a few watts of power — works only in exceptional cases, when all the relevant kernel extensions are available.

You'll need to be careful with software updates, too. Although most Mac OS updates work, those affecting the core operating system (kernel) are often incompatible. For instance, the automatic update to version 10.5.2 caused a system crash, which is very difficult to repair. Changes to key drivers following an update may also prevent Mac OS from starting up on a standard PC. Installing Windows using Boot Camp does not work either. Whatever the difficulties involved in installing and setting up Mac OS on a desktop PC, the situation is usually exacerbated on a notebook — for example, it's not usually possible to replace a graphics accelerator or a network chip.

Installing a modified Mac OS image on a standard PC is unlikely to be a productive exercise for most users because of the technical obstacles likely to be encountered. However, it can be a rewarding experience for enthusiasts and specialists with Unix expertise. As mentioned at the start of this article, this is a legally questionable pursuit that is definitely not to be undertaken without first purchasing a legitimate copy of Mac OS Leopard.

 

Go to section: Introduction Motherboard, CPU & chipset Network, sound and graphics cards Installing Leopard on a standard PC Tips and tricks Performance Conclusion

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