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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
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Photos: Running Apple's OSX on a PC By Staff writers, ZDNet Australia January 16, 2008 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/hardware/soa/Photos-Running-Apple-s-OSX-on-a-PC/0,139023759,339285143,00.htm
It has been possible for some time now to install OSX on a PC, with the help of a hacked install disc -- even the latest and greatest 10.5.1 can be installed with gusto. These days things have gotten even fancier with an EFI emulator, meaning the kernel doesn't even have to be touched for some hardware configurations. This means installing software updates from Apple shouldn't cause issues, which means the vast majority of Apple software runs, with the exception of Boot Camp. However this issue can be solved with a dual, or even triple boot system with Windows and/or Linux. An avid reader brought in their "hackintosh" for us to poke around at this vastly intriguing way to "make the switch", while having access to a much bigger range of hardware for a much cheaper price. 
A normal Shuttle PC boots up, showing the start-up info for the graphics card. A Logitech USB keyboard is used, as is a wireless Microsoft mouse. Credit: CNET.com.au 
The graphical boot screen. The Shuttle SD30G2B is based on the Intel 915 chipset. Still very PC. Credit: CNET.com.au 
Wait ... what? Apple? Credit: CNET.com.au 
OSX 10.5.1 has loaded, working perfectly with a vanilla kernel thanks to an EFI emulator. This means it can install all the updates from Apple without worry -- unless Apple starts bugging its update code to check for hackintoshes. Credit: CNET.com.au 
Using an Intel Core 2 Duo as a CPU means not having to install extra hacks to get things working. The sound, network and graphics hardware needed extra drivers to get working properly, which required some copying of files and a bit of Unix command line know how. Credit: CNET.com.au 
The unsuspecting PC that has become a hackintosh. The DVD drive is a standard IDE Pioneer DVR-109. Credit: CNET.com.au 
The back of the machine with the usual bevvy of ports. Everything works. We had to use a USB keyboard during the install -- while a PS2 keyboard is possible, it requires more hacks. Sound also works, although only stereo at this stage. 5.1 should be possible with a little more tweaking. Credit: CNET.com.au 
A view through to where the Core 2 Duo E4500 is hidden. The corner of a Foxconn 7600GT enters from the left, the chosen graphics card. With help from the NVInject 2.0 driver, this enables both the Core Image and Quartz Extreme processing that gives OSX its visual pizzazz. Credit: CNET.com.au 
Just like using a Core 2 Duo, using a SATA hard drive as the install drive makes life a lot easier. IDE is possible, but once again requires more hacks, depending on your hardware. Credit: CNET.com.au
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