OS X-installing EFi-X now shipping for $155

After a few false starts, the OS X-installing EFi-X dongle is finally shipping to consumers. Currently, two versions are up for grabs: the USB V1 for the average joe / jane and the USB V2 Developers Unit for, well, developers. In short, plugging this gem into your PC will enable select systems to install OS X, but we'd take a hard look at the fine print (and certified systems) before blindly plunking down $155 and hoping for the best.

[Via MacRumors, thanks Joseph]

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 17th 2008 12:05PM]

You're pathetic. Change your name.

[JerkyChew @ Sep 17th 2008 11:54AM]

So 3 questions:

1) This is just a magical bootloader that's needed during the initial install and that's it? I don't need to leave this in once the OS is installed?

2) Assuming the answer to #1 is yes, I'd assume that I can use this on more than PC, right?

3) What the heck is that monitor they're using in the picture of the PC?

[Neil @ Sep 17th 2008 11:59AM]

Something tells me it will need to be connected to the computer all the time....or at least until the computer starts booting into OSX since OSX doesn't support PC's typical BIOS system.

[theycallmetak @ Sep 17th 2008 2:32PM]

If you want to install or boot into OSX it needs to be plugged in.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Sep 18th 2008 2:23AM]

OSX will be much like running linux on the run of the mill PC, good luck getting drivers that will make it all run well.

[soul7963 @ Sep 17th 2008 11:54AM]

Tw@

[orangecat @ Sep 17th 2008 3:53PM]

twat?

[thedesolate1 @ Sep 17th 2008 10:52PM]

I think he meant TUAW but in Soviet Russia keyboard types for you.

[Derek @ Sep 17th 2008 11:56AM]

Snow Leopard Change-log:
* OS X installer can now detect EFi-X and deal with them appropriately.

[Juxtah @ Sep 17th 2008 12:16PM]

But Apple hardly ever release change logs, it will simply be described as a 'bug and security fix'

[Morgan Percy @ Sep 17th 2008 1:50PM]

And by that you mean apple will send them boxes of love and rainbows?

[tony @ Sep 17th 2008 5:30PM]

I love that you brought back highest ranked!

[Eric @ Sep 17th 2008 11:58AM]

well the hardware list site seems to be down, does anyone have a mirror?

[sepirioth @ Sep 17th 2008 11:59AM]

Ordering one now. We shall see :)

[j.d.ripper @ Sep 17th 2008 4:25PM]

When you get it, please do post a mini-review for the rest of us wondering how well this really works.

[absurdio @ Sep 17th 2008 6:03PM]

Blasphemy though it may be to mention it here, Gizmodo HAS such a mini review of the device up now. It looks promising, too. Here: http://gizmodo.com/5049756/review-efix-dongle-perfectly-transforms-pc-to-mac

[Alex @ Sep 17th 2008 11:59AM]

Cool... uh, what is it?

[phanbouy @ Sep 17th 2008 12:01PM]

i thought the title's a giveaway?

[ArcticFox @ Sep 17th 2008 12:07PM]

RTFA?

[TavisJohn @ Sep 17th 2008 12:20PM]

Forget RTFA, try reading the DESCRIPTION AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE!!

[Lowest Ranked @ Sep 17th 2008 12:37PM]

This will eFix your OSX.

[Alex @ Sep 17th 2008 1:18PM]

God you Apple fanboys are pathetic. Sorry I'm not in with the lingo.

[phanbouy @ Sep 17th 2008 1:19PM]

ha yeah you kids with your kaaaaaarazy lingo! like OSX installing gizmo... WOW that's so esoteric!

you fail at life, kid

[Taylor @ Sep 17th 2008 1:36PM]

Ummm.... You anti-reading fanboys are pathetic Alex...
did you read the freaking summary printed right on this very page?

"In short, plugging this gem into your PC will enable select systems to install OS X"

And if you don't know Apple's OS is called OS X, what the hell are you doing on here? Next you'll tell me you don't know what Vista is... It doesn't take a fanboy to know one of the most basic things about Apple, especially with how much apple is covered on this freaking website, which you were reading!
-Taylor

[dcm @ Sep 17th 2008 2:14PM]

How you doin' without Tom Brady there Alex?

btw...

PATRIOTS SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

[Joseph @ Sep 17th 2008 5:03PM]

Alex - not in w/ the lingo? google: RTFA.

[agent.st4r5cr34m @ Sep 17th 2008 12:02PM]

Does this have OSX bundled or do I have to buy one of these AND OSX. If I have to get both then that sucks....

[Neil @ Sep 17th 2008 12:05PM]

You still need to buy OSX on your own.

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 17th 2008 12:08PM]

You need to aqcuire OSX separately.

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 17th 2008 12:08PM]

Also acquire.

[phanbouy @ Sep 17th 2008 12:21PM]

@Hellaphunt

props on the name. that is all.

[kherge @ Sep 17th 2008 12:48PM]

Shit, be happy that OS X is only $129.

[ethana2 @ Sep 17th 2008 1:13PM]

I was going to use this bumby/kabyl EFI bootloader thing to dual boot OSX on my inspiron 1420n, but it was the price of osx that dissuaded me.
...then I tried JaS' 10.5.4 and it didn't work.
....then i realized all i needed to get sketchup working in wine was a registry key modification; never thought of osx again.

[maveric101 @ Sep 17th 2008 1:44PM]

$155 + $130 = $285 for OSX

or just $100 for Vista Home Premium

or maybe even $0 for Ubuntu...

[Joseph @ Sep 17th 2008 5:05PM]

Maveric? McCain/Palin 08? ::face palm::

[Tomahawk @ Sep 17th 2008 7:26PM]

@maveric101 where do you get $100 from, last I checked Vista Home Premium has a list price of $269.99 (although Amazon sells it for $202.99), add cost of the more memory you need to run Vista, and you end up with something around the same price but far less superior and innovative then OSX.

[maveric101 @ Sep 17th 2008 10:30PM]

@ tomahawk

you can the the OEM version on Newegg for $99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=vista+oem&x=0&y=0

that's what i bought and it works fine. don't know why people are down-ranking me for stating simple facts... i wasn't saying one was better than the other.

also, saying OSX is more innovative or whatever is an opinion. don't go around acting like some prophet of the operating system gods.

[egorgry @ Sep 17th 2008 12:02PM]

hardware:

Intel® CoreTM2 Extreme Processors

Intel® CoreTM2 Quad Processors

Intel® CoreTM2 Duo Processors

Intel® Pentium® dual-core Processors:
E2xx0

Intel® Celeron® dual-core Processors:
E1200

Intel® Celeron® Processors:
420, 430, 440.

Intel® 45nm Multi-Core Processors

Intel® AtomTM Processors

Intel® XeonTM Processors



Geforce 7300 GS *
Geforce 7300 GT *
Geforce 7600 GS *
Geforce 7600 GT *
Geforce 7800 GT *
Geforce 7800 GTX *
Geforce 7900 GS *
Geforce 7900 GT *
Geforce 7950 GT *
Geforce 8800 GS **
Geforce 8800 GT **
Geforce 8800 GTS (320/640 mb)
Geforce 8800 GTS 512 mb **
Geforce 8800 GTX
Geforce 8800 Ultra

Quattro FX 5600




Radeon HD 2600 XT
Radeon HD 3870 **


* Maximum VRam size 256 MB
** after updating to 10.5.2
Mainboard

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L

Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L

(rev. 2.0)



(rev. 2.1)
(rev. 1.0)
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS4
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS4P
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DQ6


(rev. 1.0)
video review
video review

video review
video review

EFiXTM V2 supported only:
(Attention: here supported hardware is experimental, not sugested for in-production usage)

Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R
* External GraphicCard is required





Intel D945GCLF (ATOM CPU)
Only with EFiXTM Deluxe, EFiXTM Ultimate
or any compatible external SoundCard
video review


LAN -
Wireless LAN U.S. Robotics PCI Adapter 5417 WLAN 125Mbit
D-Link DWA-547 RangeBooster N
Linksys
Dynex DX-BNBC
Audio SoundCards based on ALC889A codec
USB Audio
M-Audio USB Sonica Theater 7.1 channel
Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit External (USB)
Speedlink USB Audiocard
Griffin iMic External Sound Card


Professional AUDIO:

DigiDesign
Pro Tools® 7.4 (Mac OS X LeopardTM)


M-Audio
M-Audio Fast track Pro
M-Audio Fast Track Ultra
M-Audio Firewire 410


Edirol
EDIROL FA-101

[phanbouy @ Sep 17th 2008 12:05PM]

yep, that is hardware, alright.

[xcrunk @ Sep 17th 2008 12:59PM]

Murray, isn't it time for a band meeting?

About EFIX, f*cking COOL!!!

I'm about to by a Gigabyte just to have this thing.

But why no love for the 9600GT???

[IT@school @ Sep 17th 2008 12:03PM]

I wish they would have something built in to the comments so that people could not post first. The word first should be banned or just blocked from the beginning posts

[phanbouy @ Sep 17th 2008 12:07PM]

first off, i'd like to s... NO CARRIER

[Kspraydad @ Sep 17th 2008 12:10PM]

So your post word read:

I wish they would have something built in to the comments so that people could not post. The word should be banned or just blocked from the beginning posts

[letstakeawalk @ Sep 17th 2008 12:39PM]

Boobies?

http://www.fark.com/farq/farkisms.shtml#z.22First_Post.22_time_warp

[Valicore @ Sep 17th 2008 1:41PM]

Phanbouy: Awesome, I remember no carrier as a little kid, in fact I think I used to have nightmares about it between NetCom and AOL...

[Dillon @ Sep 17th 2008 5:30PM]

Engadget should program the comment system so that every time the word first is found, it automatically gets changed to "over 9000".

[decapitor @ Sep 17th 2008 12:06PM]

I'm pretty tempted by this, but does anyone know if my GA-P35-DS3L Rev. 2 might work given the other compatible boards are sooo close to this? Also does anyone know if I can use my X-fi when booting to Windows and then use an external USB audio device (NI Audio Kontrol 1) when in OSX? i.e. will having the X-Fi there cause OSX to not boot or would it just ignore it? If anyone knows then I think I'll go for it and be a test dummy for the rest of you. Thanks.

[decapitor @ Sep 17th 2008 12:10PM]

Sorry I see that my board is there now I swear it wasn't last time I checked their site.

[robotrock @ Sep 17th 2008 12:07PM]

People have been able to use this with other MoBos and various pieces of hardware as well. YMMV

[Lardnapkin @ Sep 17th 2008 12:15PM]

Ha ha ha ha ha Ghetto OSX, (Submitted from my Macbook Air)