EFiX wants to bring OSX86 to the masses

Word in the OSX86 world is that a new product will revolutionize (and simplify) the process of installing OS X on a PC -- and that product is called the EFiX. The USB dongle allegedly pops into a free port and allows you to install the retail version of the Mac operating system on just about any system by automatically locating the proper hacks and drivers needed. Famed OSX86 hacker Netkas has demoed a beta unit on video (which you can see after the break) and claims that it's working as it should. The manufacturer is aiming to have models available for purchase by June 23rd... barring any more "sabotage." This sounds like a much more reasonable solution than marketing a Mac clone -- feel free to send one our way whenever you like guys.

[Via Boing Boing Gadgets]

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 13th 2008 8:01PM]

Way better than the Psystar stuff that turned to be pretty crappy anyways...This is a much better solution...

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 13th 2008 8:05PM]

btw, I love when he goes "yey it boots"

[brickwood @ Jun 14th 2008 1:34AM]

I think i did read a post about ASUS' "highest quarter on quarter growth" here on Engadget a week ago.

[az1324 @ Jun 14th 2008 5:16AM]

I love when he shushes the cat and then stomps on it @1:54

[sr1329 @ Jun 13th 2008 8:03PM]

Okay, I might have to get this and try out MacOS, I know Vista doesn't exactly have me all in grins right now.

[ethana2 @ Jun 13th 2008 8:34PM]

Try Ubuntu first, the hardware support will be much better than OSX and you don't have to screw around with hacks and licenses.

[Reid @ Jun 13th 2008 11:18PM]

You're right (below). Trackpoint ftw. We have Thinkpads at work and I can't fathom why people use the trackpad when they have a trackpoint. It is the one thing I would have Apple change about their notebooks if I was CEO for a day.

[Abuzar @ Jun 14th 2008 12:45AM]

Or you can try XP, it really is something!

[nDee @ Jun 14th 2008 12:46AM]

It's not beautiful enough for a trackpoint on steve's stuff.
But yes, I think TrackPoint is perfect.

[Greg @ Jun 14th 2008 1:23AM]

You don't have to screw around with hacks in Ubuntu? Are you... are you from the future?

[Patriks7 @ Jun 14th 2008 1:53AM]

have u actually tried a macbook (pro) trackpad?
i had a dell and thinkpad, both with trackpoint, and i always used the trackpoint. at first with my mac i was like "wtf" but its the best trackpad i've ever used.

[DJ @ Jun 14th 2008 1:55AM]

I don't like my trackpoint, I much prefer the pad. I realise it's probably a matter of learning to use the trackpoint accurately, but given I have to use a pad on my other laptop, I don't see the point.

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 14th 2008 5:31PM]

I like my friendly rubber nipple.

Yup.

[N30 G30 @ Jun 15th 2008 11:10AM]

I wish MS would just start from scratch and create a version without the backwards compatibility. Software should be written smarter, not bigger. OSes should be foward moving, never backwards.

[N30 G30 @ Jun 15th 2008 11:10AM]

I wish MS would just start from scratch and create a version without the backwards compatibility. Software should be written smarter, not bigger. OSes should be foward moving, never backwards.

[dom.rout @ Jun 16th 2008 1:35PM]

They've got a prototype OS called Singularity, which was essentially an experiment with new design ideas within OS production. It did deal some interesting issues that apply to ALL modern OSs. You should read about it if you're into that sort of thing, although it's unlikely that anything of that ilk will ever see the light of day as it's pretty hard to market an operating system that has no pre-existing software.

Most people don't use Linux not because it's hard, but because it doesn't DO everything.

[Tim @ Jun 13th 2008 8:04PM]

This is awesome! Oh yeah, I don't have any PC's to install it on anymore. Nevermind...

[initialxy @ Jun 13th 2008 8:04PM]

but does it update?

[Christy McGrory @ Jun 13th 2008 10:05PM]

Yeah it does, I installed it a while back but my graphics card was incompatible.

[Magnulus @ Jun 13th 2008 8:09PM]

I can't help but think that this is akin to the Windows on Mac projects that arose immediately after the Intel transition. By that, I mean that here's to hoping that OS XI (or would that be IX? I forget. I'm probably confusing it with IV.) will be officially available on all PCs and not just Macs.

I would probably still buy my hardware from Apple, but that has served me well before. Chances are a multi-hardware OSXI would put pressure on Apple to make even better hardware. (And perhaps a consumer-level tower mac, yes?)

[sr1329 @ Jun 13th 2008 8:13PM]

Probably, but there is no laptop that will ever replace my Thinkpad. I cannot live without that Trackpoint.

[RoboDan @ Jun 14th 2008 2:50AM]

ThinkPad FTW

Finally SUPERIOR hardware with... Mac OS X
You thought I was going to say "superior software", didn't you? I would, but I have this thing against lying.

Windows Vista x64/Mac OS X 10.5.3/Ubuntu Triple-boot FTrealW

[z0phi3l @ Jun 13th 2008 10:06PM]

I would love for a PC version of the MacOS, would suit me better to dual boot Linux and OSX than Linux and Windows

[xor24 @ Jun 14th 2008 4:27PM]

@robodan
there must b a mistake u forgot XP i couldn't live without having all FOUR of them (Vista x64, XP, Ubuntu, and OS X)

[xor24 @ Jun 14th 2008 4:27PM]

@robodan
there must b a mistake u forgot XP i couldn't live without having all FOUR of them (Vista x64, XP, Ubuntu, and OS X)

[broli @ Jun 13th 2008 8:10PM]

After my own adventure of getting leopard to run on a pentium m (which worked btw, but had some driver issues) this might do the trick faster.

[Ender Wiggin @ Jun 13th 2008 8:13PM]

Interesting.....

I just hope that OSx86 being brought to the masses doesn't make Apple resort to extensive DRM to prevent piracy.

[Andrew Campbell @ Jun 13th 2008 9:03PM]

I just hope the issues that arise from bringing OS X to the masses won't give it a bad name, seeing as how well, you're running it on unsupported hardware.

[Jeremy K. @ Jun 13th 2008 9:45PM]

lol unsupported hardware... meh

If Apple had any balls they would release the software to the masses... then hardware manufacturers would begin producing drivers.

[krizoitz @ Jun 13th 2008 10:14PM]

@Jeremy K.

Yeah cause that has worked so well for Windows...

[peekinde @ Jun 13th 2008 10:23PM]

go back to dota =o

[Tony @ Jun 13th 2008 10:45PM]

@ krizoitz

Yeah, just look at Bill Gates, he's going broke!

And despite Microsoft's unchallenged dominance in the computer world, they have had no success. Right?

[Ender Wiggin @ Jun 13th 2008 10:58PM]

@ Tony

I don't think he was referring to financial success. I think he was referring to having stable, usable drivers.

[7on @ Jun 14th 2008 12:18AM]

Actually Apple writes all the drivers that are present on Mac hardware. Even the ATI and NVIDIA drivers are written by Apple.

[Daz @ Jun 15th 2008 7:28AM]

@ Ender Wiggin

I agree, if they use loads of DRM how am i supposed to get my downloaded copy of the internet?

[N30 G30 @ Jun 15th 2008 9:12AM]

What the hell?!

Apple sells computer hardware. Releasing their OS to the masses would result in less hardware sold. Also Apple support is great because they limited their support to their hardware. It makes it easier for me, it makes it easier for them.

[Chris @ Jun 13th 2008 8:13PM]

I'm not buying anything like this before I see a credibe review test it on video. But if this works, I'm still gonna have a hell'va time finding drivers for a (future) GTX 280 on OSX

[roach @ Jun 13th 2008 8:13PM]

And if it crash because it can't hack SLI 9900GTX do I blame OSX or Vista?

[kamu @ Jun 14th 2008 12:56AM]

Blame your over the top computer budget.

(Owner of 1 9800GTX)

[Jason Randazza @ Jun 13th 2008 8:14PM]

Holy crap. That's awesome... it was a pain in the ass to setup my system.

[mike @ Jun 13th 2008 11:01PM]

I assume you're referring to the 3 weeks of minimum wage labor you had to work to buy a real Mac. Pain in the ass? Fine, but way worth it.

[oZ @ Jun 14th 2008 12:14PM]

Mike: Unless you don't want any of their lineup. I've been a Mac owner off and mostly on for 20 years. My last machine was a first generation MacBook 13" in black. The MacBook has a resolution I don't want. MacBook Pro is too large. Bought a ThinkPad, installed 10.5, bought a store boxed copy even though I'm violating the license, because at least I'm not 'pirating' it. It's the best damn operating system, I just like other hardware.

[David Z. @ Jun 14th 2008 10:29PM]

The keyboard in that screenshot has your name spelled out in it.

[Helmore @ Jun 13th 2008 8:16PM]

Hmm, might give it a try...although I do not plan to pay for it until I know it's worth it. Any cracked OS Xs around? :P

[Jimmy @ Jun 13th 2008 9:31PM]

It is illegal, and i do not advise you to do it... but there are torrent sites out there...

PS
OS X has no drm, serials, genuine advantage crap. all pirated copies work fine. But, as a loving mac fan... I will tell you not to do it. Just fork over the 130 bucks and get a legal copy. Think about the programmers... what incentive do they have to write good stuff if they don't get paid. Please do not pirate.

DON'T STEAL SOFTWARE!!!!!!

[Jeremy K. @ Jun 13th 2008 9:47PM]

I find it hilarious that most Apple users are happy to pay Apple for their products. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating piracy. It's just that Apple has you by the balls. It's not like Apple is a non-profit organization.

[~~Tito~~ @ Jun 13th 2008 9:48PM]

Demonoid, Mininova, The Pirate Bay?

All sites to help you in your quest.

Al of them are .com sites.

[Ender Wiggin @ Jun 13th 2008 10:48PM]

When people like a product enough to pay for it I wouldn't say that the developer has them "by the balls". If that where the case then a LOT of developers (and grocery, barbershops, book stores, etc.) have a LOT of people "by the balls"

Seriously though, pay for good software. Whether or not you like the distributor, there are still many honest, hardworking programmers behind every good program.

[Peter @ Jun 13th 2008 11:11PM]

@Jimmy
I have a family pack of Leopard installed on just three systems, where I am legally entitled to 5 systems running Leopard. Would it be wrong, in your opinion, for me to download a Kalway disk to put OS X on my PC too? I agree that everyone who wants to run a Hackintosh should eventually buy the disk, but for a noob, there is no point to plunking down $130 for an experiment that might not even succeed to run stably, and could be discarded after a few weeks.

[phanbouy @ Jun 14th 2008 12:30AM]

isn't mininova a ".org", FWIW?