Hackintoshing??

[JeremyK]

Hey all...

Um... I'm not sure of the legalities of it, but I thought, I payed for Mac OS X, I should be able to use it the way I want.

Is installing Mac OS X on a PC legal?

I plan (actually, I am in the process of) installing Mac OS X and modifying the drivers to suit my computer, or put simply, I plan on "Hackintoshing" it.

The computer I have decided to do this on, there are actually two, a Acer TravelMate 526iTX, which is about the same age as the first PowerBook. And also a Toshiba Satellite M100.

The Acer does not have:
-A DVD Drive
-Any Form Of WiFi
The Acer has:
-128 MB Ram (Only 100MB Working)
-845MHz Intel Pentium III Processor (Only 750MHz Working)
-20GB Hard Drive (Very Scratched I think, makes EXTREMELY loud noises even idling)

PS: Someone managed to get Vista working on that computer, Mac OS should be a breeze, right?

The Toshiba Has:
-DVD Drive (Works)
-WiFi (Driver needed)
-ATI Graphics (Driver needed, possible Mac already has it)
-512MB RAM (All of which is working)
-About 1.5GHz Processor (Celeron - All working)
-40GB Hard Drive (Running Pretty Well, Has had XP destroy it about 6 times though)

Both computers have had Windows XP Installed about 3-9 times. Both computers are still NTFS formatted, because my MacBook wont connect to either of them, I have to format the EXTREMELY long way by running Linux, formatting, then installing the EFI I copied from my MacBook onto them!)

So my basic questions are:

1. Is it legal to do this (although I don't really care, just for interest)

2. Is it possible on the Acer (I'm trying anyway)

3. Is it possible on the Toshiba (I'm feeling confident)

[philbowell]

So my basic questions are:

1. Is it legal to do this (although I don't really care, just for interest)

Nope, this is what Psystar are in trouble with Apple about and why Apple are suing them.

I payed for Mac OS X, I should be able to use it the way I want.

Nope, you bought it knowing it only works and is only intended to be used on an Apple computer. When you installed the software on your Mac you had to agree to EULA which specifically states it can only be used on a Mac.

Obviously, it's possible to install Mac OS X on a generic PC, but it won't run as well, nor will it be easy to update. Plus you have a Mac already, why go through all the hassle?

[JeremyK]

oh... well i never read those EULA things... too long...

if right at the start is had dot points going:

-You cannot install this operating system on a generic PC,

then i wouldnt be doing it

[philbowell]

From the 5th paragraph of the Leopard EULA (emphasis added).

A. Single Use. This License allows you to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time.

It's the same on the Snow Leopard EULA as well.

[bendrucker]

Originally Posted by JeremyK

oh... well i never read those EULA things... too long...

if right at the start is had dot points going:

-You cannot install this operating system on a generic PC,

then i wouldnt be doing it

That's not really a good attitude. Legally, that defense holds no water.

[GadgetComa]

Originally Posted by philbowell

You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so.

Interesting. It says any non-Apple-labeled computer? Does that mean I can put an Apple label on a PC and install Mac OS X?

I know the intent of the legal agreement and my suggestion would not work for a vendor, but if the language doesn't say Apple-manafactured computer or something like that, technically I might be okay installing it on my own PC for my own use. Not that I would bother, since I don't have any PCs in the house any more.

[notabadname]

I believe, legally, "Apple-labeled" means, more literally, Labeled by Apple. And, being as smart as they are to protect their intellectual property and interests, I am sure they have the legal precedent to back up the idea that it takes more than an "Apple" sticker to make an Apple-labeled computer.