OS X-installing EFi-X now shipping for $155
By Darren Murph 
posted September 17th 2008 11:45AM
posted September 17th 2008 11:45AM
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]
You can do that without the EFi-X. You use the Boot-132 method which is the same exact method and is FREE! You either burn it to a disc or use a USB stick with it on there.
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=113288 if anyone is interested.
Good Luck!
Considering that half of their website contains nothing more than default template place holders (including key legal texts) and their poor grammar, I wouldn't buy a box of paper clips from whoever they are.
As much as I like Apples hardware, I would love to have a cheap brute-force machine for rendering Final Cut video, and similar tasks. Plus, since this thing is removable I could transfer it to my next cheap box in a year.
http://www.learnucd.com
Can't you get drivers for hardware that isn't supported or is that only using the hackentosh method?
Further to building a mac pro equivalent for $1500-1700 in another post in this thread, I was able to build a mac mini equivalent as well.
Using ncix.com, a Canadian site, I was able to build a basic mac mini spec machine, but with a MORE POWERFUL core 2 duo (they didn't have any as slow as 1.83ghz). Total cost was $406 Canadian Dollars (CAD). Add on the dongle for $170 CAD and OSX for $130 CAD and we're at $706 CAD. The basic mac mini is $650 CAD.
Judge for you self: my build had a core 2 duo with 2.53ghz per core...mac mini has 1.83ghz per core. My build has a full dvd writer. My 80gig hard drive spins at 7200rpm...mac mini @5400. Is that all worth $56 extra? I think so...unless you really want the tiny box of the mac mini. It's definitely not as clear an advantage as for the mac pro, but what do I care? I wouldn't use OSX unless I was paid to.
JUST so that everyone is clear about the numbers and facts here.
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APPLE INTEL PROCESSOR LEGEND:
Mac Mini / MacBook Low end= Core 2 Duo T2400 or T7200
iMac / MacBook Pro Mid level= Core 2 Duo SP9400 to X9100
MacPro Base Xeon E5440
MacPro MAX=Xeon X5482
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INTEL PROCESSOR PRICE RANGE:
Intel Processor Prices come from http://www.cpuworld.com
(Mac Mini)
Low end Core 2 Duo:
Core 2 Duo Mobile T2400 1.83GHz= $145
Core 2 Duo Mobile T7200 2.0GHz= $295
(iMac)
Mid level Core 2 Duo:
Core 2 Duo Mobile SP9400 2.4Ghz= $316
Core 2 Duo Mobile T9400 2.6Ghz= $316
Core 2 Duo Mobile T9600 2.8GHz= $532
core 2 Duo Mobile X9100 3.06Ghz= $851
(MacPro)
Base Xeon E5462 2.83Ghz=$797
Middle Xeon X5472 3.0Ghz=$958
MAX Xeon X5482 3.2Ghz= $1279
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The constant and persistent imbecilic MacPro price comparison
The minimum cost of building a system with the same part as a MacPro is $797, which is the cost of 1 Xeon 5400.
This is without mobo, ram, HD, anything.
Here are all the parts needed to make a computer of similar spec as the BASE Apple MacPRO which costs=$2799.
(2x2.8Ghz Xeons, 2GB RAM, 320HD, ATI 2600XT, Keyboard, mouse, DVI-VGA, OSX and iLife.)
2x Xeon E5462 = $1594 (newegg)
1x Intel BOXD5400XS Dual LGA 771 Skulltrail D5400XS (Xeon Motherboard with similar specs as a MacPro)=$629 (newegg)
1x Antec P182 = $130 (newegg)
1x Seasonic 700W PSU = $160 (newegg)
1x Minimum 2GB RAM = $70 (dealram)
1x Minimum Disk 320GB 7200rpm= $60 (newegg)
1x Minimum Graphics ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB =$45 (newegg)
1x 16x DVD/MULTI Burner=$25 (newegg)
Sub Total without OS or accessories =$2713
Accessories from Apple that come with the Apple computer:
Apple Keyboard = $49
Apple Mighty Mouse = $49
Apple DVI to VGA adaptor =$19
Apple Mac OSX 10.5 = $129
Total for accessory and OS package = $246
Total= $2959
Comparable non Apple accessories and OS from MS: (Newegg)
MS Wired Keyboard = $28
MS Wired Mouse= $29
Generic DVI to VGA adaptor = $10
MS Windows Vista Ultimate= $189
Total MS accessory Package =$256
Total with Non Apple package = $2969
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The difference ends up being about $170; but the Stock Apple system would end up costing a lot less when you also account for TAXES, SHIPPING, and LABOR.
As far as building an actual MacPro competitor it is not possible (outside of special deals, and gift parts) to build a Xeon system that is cheaper then a MacPRO.
It is and has always been possible to build MacMini, iMac competitors for cheaper.
It is also possible to make systems which are not comparable to any available Apple Systems, which is what people ALWAYS seem to believe are the same as a MacPRO.
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What about Apple's direct competitors?
Tier One System Vendors:
DELL:
Precision Workstation T5400. (2x Xeon E5440 2.8Ghz; 2GB ram, Quadro NVS290; 320GB HD.)= $3892