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Hackintosh is almost dead

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Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#51

Post by type_Ben_struct »

bruce511 wrote: post #13

Back in my youth, when I was time rich and cash poor, this kind of tinkering was fun and a good way to improve the machine I was using. Now that I have more disposable cash, but waaay less time, I couldn't imagine "wasting my time" doing this sort of thing. These days I want to -use- the computer, not spend time trying to convince it to work. Incidentally it's the exact same journey with my cars. 35 years ago I was f…

I was also that kid. I remember an OSX upgrade breaking my mouse and I couldn't figure out how to get it working again. I was desperate for a Mac, but it was financially unattainable.

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#52

Post by carlosjobim »

bruce511 wrote: post #13

Back in my youth, when I was time rich and cash poor, this kind of tinkering was fun and a good way to improve the machine I was using. Now that I have more disposable cash, but waaay less time, I couldn't imagine "wasting my time" doing this sort of thing. These days I want to -use- the computer, not spend time trying to convince it to work. Incidentally it's the exact same journey with my cars. 35 years ago I was f…

Macs are very expensive in some parts of the world, where other computer brands are affordable. A hackintosh could be a good option, and when somebody learns to do it well they could do it for others for money. Not only installing MacOS on PCs, but also installing newer versions of MacOS on Macs that are officially not supported anymore.

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#53

Post by threeseed »

KingOfLechia wrote: post #30

Other than trying out the MacOS for the first time to learn how bad it is, why would anyone make a hackintosh? Windows and Linux are infinitely better operating systems, more open, with better backwards compatibility, more hardware support, independence from vendor servers and more available software. A reminder that with MacOS you need internet connection in order to re-install the OS as it requires activation just…

You can always install macOS using a Flash drive.

That way it doesn't require an internet connection.

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#54

Post by KingOfLechia »

mundays wrote: post #41
KingOfLechia wrote: post #30

Other than trying out the MacOS for the first time to learn how bad it is, why would anyone make a hackintosh? Windows and Linux are infinitely better operating systems, more open, with better backwards compatibility, more hardware support, independence from vendor servers and more available software. A reminder that with MacOS you need internet connection in order to re-install the OS as it requires activation just…

Yes, Tim Cook could flip a switch and my mac would become activation locked. Considering that Windows 11 has been working really hard to sneak remote attestation below our noses (and other stuff), I think it's safe to cross out Windows as well.

As long as Microsoft wants to keep Windows compatible with user-controllable hardware (like computers that let you disable secure boot and TPM or enroll custom keys), there should always be a way to debloat Windows.

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#55

Post by mundays »

acmj wrote: post #48
mundays wrote: post #26

Now that their MacBooks come with 120hz screens with acceptable response time (unlike their early 120hz screens), the value proposition for hackintosh isn't as alluring for me. Previously, I've been worried about the T2 chip and the trend of Apple locking down MacOS, which also turned out to be less of an issue that I thought. The only area that saw significant retreat in macos is gaming.

> The only area that saw significant retreat in macos is gaming. Mac gaming is probably getting better thanks to wine, crossover, GPTK and Whisky [1]. I am not a gamer but I have seen others playing serious Windows games like FF7 remake (not sure if that counts) on mac. [1] https://github.com/Whisky-App/Whisky

The problem is, significant portion of "real games" used to run on macOS, and all PC games used to run on BootCamp. Now native mac games are all but extinct and cross-platform toolkits seem to be very hit and miss depending on the games (for now).

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#56

Post by KingOfLechia »

threeseed wrote: post #53
KingOfLechia wrote: post #30

Other than trying out the MacOS for the first time to learn how bad it is, why would anyone make a hackintosh? Windows and Linux are infinitely better operating systems, more open, with better backwards compatibility, more hardware support, independence from vendor servers and more available software. A reminder that with MacOS you need internet connection in order to re-install the OS as it requires activation just…

You can always install macOS using a Flash drive. That way it doesn't require an internet connection.

Even if you try to install it using a flash drive, it still asks you to connect to the internet to "verify" the installation. https://sneak.berlin/20201204/on-trusting-macintosh-hardware... explains how it's ensured on the firmware level that you really connect with Apple servers.

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#57

Post by twoodfin »

No speculation in the article or thread yet what Apple is doing with the WiFi stack that creates such a fragile coupling with its services.

Per iFixit, they’re using an obscure WiFi / Bluetooth module from USI in the new MacBook Pros:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+14-Inch+Late+2023+M...

Possible they’ve gotten some “out of spec” capabilities wired in? Trying to imagine what for… Securely bridging local adhoc networks with the internet?

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#58

Post by MenhirMike »

bmitc wrote: post #21
WWLink wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the one 'creative' use case I know of where Macs actually are better - the lag and latency issues on Windows still seem pretty bad. I spent the last week shopping around for an audio interface and every single model had people complaining about driver issues and latency and "random loud static" or other crazy things when using Windows. Always Windows. Crazy stuff.

Except that Apple breaks audio applications with every new release of macOS and has for years. And, it's just a matter of time before Apple kills basically every DAW and VST when they finally kill off OpenGL on macOS. Edit: What I have said is true here, so I'm unsure why the downvotes.

Curious, why would OpenGL break VSTs? (And yes, I get that AU is the preferred way over VST2 or even VST3, which is why most modern plugins are available in AU as well. I just don't see how OpenGL plays into this.)

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#59

Post by jupp0r »

ricardobeat wrote: post #36
actimia wrote: post #8

I don't get why you would ever want to do a Hackintosh this way... Apple has great hardware but ABYSMAL software. I prefer Windows or any of the top 5 Linux distros on any day that ends with y. They are being carried hard by their top-tier CPUs right now. Something drastic needs to happen to the software side - as it is, it is almost an unusably bad experience to simply browse the web and move files around. Now if we…

> it is almost an unusably bad experience to simply browse the web and move files around Cannot relate at all. "Move files around" is essentially the same on Windows and Mac, except on the Mac I have a UNIX shell. Browsers also behave exactly the same on every platform, and Safari is snappy and the least memory-hungry of all. What is it about?

Have you ever needed to perform a reliable recursive directory copy between two drives on Windows? I have and it turned out to be a comically complicated task. Robocopy helps but als has its edge cases you need to handle. Also long path names become problematic (MAX_PATH etc).

Re: Hackintosh is almost dead

#60

Post by asdff »

bsdpufferfish wrote: post #3

Additional reasons: - there is less alternative hardware I want to use. I want Apple Silicon processors, materials, and there just isn't much high quality competition. - Because of inflation the Apple premium isn't as high as it used to be. You get a Mac mini or MacBook Air at very competitive prices (RAM is still painful). - Linux Desktop software is more competitive and fills some of the roles that needed macOS bef…

Apple silicon is unfortunately still at a premium. I was shopping around for used M1 mac minis and a 16gb model (minimum acceptable imo) was like $500-600 second hand. You can get an 8th or 9th gen off lease computer for like $100-200 that is close enough to the m1, sometimes with 16gb already in there with the option to add in 128gb, multiple drive bays, pcie, etc.
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