EFiX OS X-installing USB device now available?

Well, today's the day that the EFiX folks promised their magical OS X-installing USB device would be available to the general PC-going public and, judging from the company's website at least, it seems like it's no more readily available than it was yesterday. The company has at least put up a product page for the desktop version of the device (pictured at right), however, as well as some non-working links for promised laptop and PCI versions of the device -- not to mention an intriguing (also non-working) link for "complete systems." They've also helpfully provided a list of compatible hardware, which looks to be extensive enough (assuming it all is, in fact, compatible). Feel free to post in comments if you've actually managed to get an order in one way or another, and we'll be sure to let you know if we hear anything more.

[Thanks, Scientist]

[wtleitner @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:18PM]

I really hope they get on the ball with this. Mac is vastly superior to pc, but in order to get an affordable gaming rig I had to go with a Vista machine. I hate it, but couldn't afford the Mac/Macbook Pro. Then, just days after I get it, I hear about Psystar. That was seriously messed up, and for my sake, I hoped they wouldn't make it. But of course they did, and so I wasted my money buying something from Microsoft. But if I could run Mac on this thing, it would be totally worth it, no matter how much slower it is. So all I have to say is go EFiX, and hurry up!!!

[PeterF @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:26PM]

Your post shows that you don't even know anything about macs, yet are praising them as great. Is it from the ADVERTISEMENTS or word of mouth from people who saw advertisements?

[insertAlias @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:27PM]

If you seriously hoped for a company not to make a product only to justify your purchase, then you're a tool.

Also, if you are so desperate, try to do it yourself.
http://www.osx86project.org/

[wtleitner @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:30PM]

What are you talking about, elaborate. That I heard about them? Personal experience. And you can look at the statistics, mac runs vista faster than on a native vista machine. There was even a write-up in popular mechanics. Plus their UI looks better and is easier to use. What are you talking about?

[wtleitner @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:33PM]

Well, from the videos on cnet, I could do it myself, but it isn't legal. Of course there are many reasons for apple not to sue me, many of them the same reason psystar isn't dead. But as far as I know there hasn't even been an attempt at them, and I assume this will be the same. And personally, I would rather not be sued by apple.

[insertAlias @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:35PM]

"And you can look at the statistics, mac runs vista faster than on a native vista machine"

You are only a tiny bit correct there.

A MacBook Pro beat several other laptops in one test. I think it was done by PCWorld, but I could be very wrong about who did it. The point is, that was a limited test, and the results have long since been surpassed. See, windows machines, because of constant competition between brands, get spec bumps all the time, instead of once or twice a year like macs.

[wtleitner @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:47PM]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/reviews/4258725.html
heres the one that i was talking about from popular mechanics. not quite what i said it would be but oh well. god i dont see why its such a big deal. its just my opinion

[Eh @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:53PM]

Its against the license agreement, its not against the law. If you do it yourself or buy it from psystar or use EFI-X, you are breaking the same license agreement.

[Jakob Henner @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:54PM]

That's the problem, people think Apple words ARE law.

[USAF_22 @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:57PM]

Yeah, if you had my computer, and all the problems I had, you would see why I don't like Vista and all of its compatibility issues.

[USAF_22 @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:00PM]

At Eh: So if I decided to get a computer from psystar, and apple all of a sudden went psycho and started suing anyone that had an illegal version of Mac OS, then I would be in the same boat as anyone that installed it themselves

[USAF_22 @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:03PM]

At Jakob Henner: I thought the EULAs were law, as far as if you violated them you could be sued for it, and convicted, with serious fines/sentences. Isn't that the whole debate over this thing and the MP3 pirating thing??? Just asking, 'cause I don't know

[Eh @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:34PM]

They could only take you to small claims court for possible damages (which would be tiny since its for personal use). There are no fines or jail sentences for breaking a license agreement. Piracy is totally different, and this isnt piracy since you can use the retail disc or make your own patched disc.

[USAF_22 @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:41PM]

At Eh: So the EULAs are basically just imaginary? As long as its for personal use I can make my own hackintosh for little or no penalty??? I doubt they would really do anything, but what would happen? I probably wouldn't be allowed to use Mac again, but anything else? And while I'm actually using the system, what would the limitations be, besides no auto updates? Basically, what would the problems and/or limitations of a hackintosh be???

[USAF_22 @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:22PM]

At Gaz: What? you talking to me? if so, sorry, i only meant to rank my own

[wasabi @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:23PM]

actually it's technically legit if you go out and buy OSX retail and install it and replace the vanilla kernel with a hacked kernel. it's not illegal since you do have a licensed copy.

[USAF_22 @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:28PM]

At wasabi: Thanks, I'll have to try that

[Chad @ Jun 24th 2008 8:54AM]

For $50 more you could have gotten an XP machine.

[TheNNS @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:18PM]

does it play crysis at the highest settings?

[wtleitner @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:24PM]

I am in no way an expert to this, so don't quote me on this, but from what I gather, it depends on your pc, if it can run it now it can run it with the usb plug in.

[insertAlias @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:23PM]

I hate you.

[Khris @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:46PM]

People can take a joke, it's just no longer funny to see the words "Crysis" or "Doom" immediately preceded by "But can it play"!

[Flashpoint @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:52PM]

A better question is why the f*ck I'd want to use OSX on my computer?

I'm an expert at Windows and I have a reading level higher than "3".

So I don't need the pretty pictures and pretty menu's...or the spinning rainbow disks. Give me an Operating system that plays Crysis or give me death.

[Jakob Henner @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:53PM]

I can't take a joke? Speak for yourself ;D

[Ace b @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:53PM]

No it can't.

It's a Mac.Macs don't play games.They're too cool for that/

[TheNNS @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:55PM]

apparently none of you can't take jokes

OSX is fine for running on macs. Windows is fine for running on PC's. It doesn't matter which one you use, as long as they work for you, that should be all that matters

GO LINUX!

[Josh @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:05PM]

Why the fuck would a USB pen play crysis on the highest settings?

At least make your joke relevant to the situation.

[Khris @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:13PM]

@ Flashpoint

Be careful what you wish for. I'm sure there are many people here who would like to "give you death".

[CraigJ @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:32PM]

Nah, I don't want him dead, he entertains us so much with all his douchebaggery.

[JP23 @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:50PM]

Screw Crysis.

Can it blend?

[cheng @ Jun 23rd 2008 11:15PM]

@TheNNS
All of us can take jokes, it's you who can't make a joke that's remotely funny.

[absurdio @ Jun 24th 2008 2:13AM]

Also. Flashpoint?
I'm not sure what scale your reading level is on, but 4 out of 100 is still pretty bad, man.

And that's not how apostrophes work.

[wasabi @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:19PM]

this is gonna cost an arm and a leg if it's a "legit" device.

[wtleitner @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:27PM]

I doubt apple approves of this, but the psystar is pretty cheap and legit enough to not be sued to death by apples legions of lawyers

[Khris @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:48PM]

@ wasabi

Add in a testicle/ovary and you're getting close

[Johann Wentzel @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:19PM]

I'm guessing Apple didn't approve this...?

[Lowest Ranked @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:44PM]

Not entirely sure but the other side is completely white.

[digitallysick @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:28PM]

This is good and bad, the good it will be easier to install leopard on a normal pc, and get apple updates. The bad, is the more popular this becomes, apple will find a way to put a stop to it at some point. So enjoy while it lasts

[Eh @ Jun 23rd 2008 7:20PM]

The same way Microsoft put a stop to piracy!

[WildParadise @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:27PM]

be able to do the update is a big plus compared to psystar

[Eric M. @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:31PM]

Meh, I'll believe it when I see it! So, either put up, or put that USB drive in the USB slot god made you.

[01 @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:32PM]

While I understand, to a degree, the desire to make a PC that will run OS X, I can't understand why anyone would actually do it....You can't make a Ferrari by putting a Ferrari engine in a KIA.

[insertAlias @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:39PM]

Yeah, except an OS isn't really comparable to a computer's engine. Many people have reported that they get better performance out of OSX86 than they do on their macs, because they have higher spec'd hardware.

[gib786 @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:40PM]

True, but a ferrari engined kia would be a laugh. Reminds me of the nissan sunny that someone stuck a f355 engine into - http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/10/ferrari-engine-served-sunny-side-up/

[Charlie Taylor @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:41PM]

You know that the Lotus Exige/Elise use small toyota engines right?

It's not the design, it's how you build it!

[LC @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:35PM]

I don't see what the big deal is. Hackintosh has been around for quite a while. This is just a way to make money off of it...

And no. Crysis does not run on OS X.

[WildParadise @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:36PM]

They claim you can do apple updates, compared to hackintosh.

[insertAlias @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:41PM]

Because of the convenience.

[Khris @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:49PM]

@ WilldParadise

When I was running OS X on my Dell m1330, Apple updates worked 100%

[Keith @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:06PM]

@ Khris

Consider yourself very lucky. Most of the OS X updates that come from Apple these days cause kernel panics on many, many configurations.