Psystar releases Rebel EFI installer, further enrages Apple
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted October 23rd 2009 1:49PM
posted October 23rd 2009 1:49PM
When not flying the Hackintosh banner, filing lawsuits, or generally positioning themselves as the gadfly on the ass of Apple, the kids at Psystar have been hard at work developing the software meant to free us all from the iron grip of Cupertino-approved hardware. And now, a mere two weeks since the company announced that it will be licensing its Darwin Universal Boot Loader to third parties, we submit for your approval a little something called Rebel EFI. Available to you -- the consumer -- right this very moment, the app will function as a universal installer for any modern OS -- provided your machine sports an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, i7 or Xeon Nehalem processor. And of course, "any modern OS" includes Snow Leopard. What are you waiting for? Download the trial version for free (limited functionality, runtime of two hours) or download the full deal for the introductory price of $50 (full retail is $90).
[Via iHackintosh]
[Via iHackintosh]
If Psystar found a way to get around Apple’s near bulletproof license agreements and are able to emulate the code of the Mac ROM chip, then all the power to them. Likewise, Microsoft has been very successful by simply copying the Mac interface right down to their widgets.
I’ve been using the Mac offerings since they first hit the street back in 1984 and I still prefer the Apple box much better than the usual PC sheet metal that can draw blood, all those screws and wire looms. On the other hand, Apple still hasn’t figured out how to support GPU graphic cards, so that’s reason enough to give Psystar a try.
Regards,
All power to them? They're violating license agreements in addition to profiting off the work of others (the X86 project). That's really something you want to encourage?
And I have a GTX 285 in my Mac, how are they not supporting graphics cards?
Jack, STFU already. You clearly don't understand a simple fact that breaking Apple's EULA != breaking the law. The legality and enforceability of OS EULA (be it Apple's or Microsoft's) have never been validated in court. So far, Psystar has refused to abide by Apple's EULA - that's all there is to it. Until there is a court ruling that Psystar has violated some law - they haven't.
Is this clear to you?
Psystar making money off this is what will prompt Apple to start going after the Hackintosh community.
If the Hackintosh community is violating Apples EULA too, then why shouldn't Apple go after them as well? Why does the Hackintosh community get a pass for doing very much the same thing Pystar is, only for free? Why is selling an OSX boot loader for profit evil in Apples eyes, but a free boot loader that does the same thing is OK? Aren't all Hackintosh installs a violation of Apples EULA? Why the double standard?
Is there any hope for the AMD crowd? Ive got an AMD X4 3.0. Id love to get OSX running on my rig..
Yeah that's what I want to know! I've got 10.5.6 running on an AMD proc, but not with this easy method. Took me almost 17 OS installs to get it running with sound and wireless working
if it suppots X4500HD graphic, I'd buy one right now
Getting off topic here I think that apple doesn't support other software cause they simply don't want to do the work of allowing their OS to work with other hardware and possibly having problems with other hardware. That's why widows can be so unstable is that some computers use shit hardware. At least with apple you know they choose the best hardware that will let their OS run best.
They could easily offer the software for $500 and people would buy it but then people would B***h that the OS crashes ,gives hardware issues, and that it wont run on their computer cause the hardware isn't good enough but then this would totally crush apples main point that it just works...
change the first software to hardware**
Torrent, please. It's only fitting. Besides, what's Psystar going to do about it? Sue?
I think those who have been talking about bootcamp are off the mark. Bootcamp is a sorry excuse for anything - the fact you need to reboot into os stinks. Take it away and it isn't going to affect anyone who works with productivity in
mind. To hurt os x or Linux you would need to cripple the virtualized machine arena like vmware - those run on all hardware / os.
Pystar is a pathetic company.
This is only a bad thing. Not because OSX is running on non-Apple approved hardware, but because PYSTAR RUNS THE CHAMELEON BOOT LOADER and are SELLING IT FOR THEIR PROFIT.
They not created anything. The OSX86 community has done all the work, built the boot loader, and made it available for FREE FOR EVERYONE. Now Pystar takes that software, just like the took OSX and started to install it on other hardware, and are SELLING it for their OWN profit.
They are not only stealing from Apple, but stealing from some of the best guys around - OSX86 community.
Anyone who supports this and purchases this seriously needs to look into a mirror. You are contributing to a company that stole software from someone elses work, which was made to be available for free, and are selling it for their own greed. They are ripping off ideas and simply making money off of idiots like some of the people in this thread would consider purchasing this.
If you want to hackintosh, do it the right way - OSX86 community, for free. Don't pay people who stole that idea and are selling it for their own profit.
So much whining going on here. If you like Apple Mac OS X, then support the company and give them the justified dues. You don't like they way the run their business because it's too restrictive, then go ahead and buy something else which aligns itself to your belief.
But when you buy Snow Leopard, don't act stupid by saying "Well I bought it, I can do whatever I want!", when you KNOW that it was sold and meant for those that purchased an Apple computer. Apples sells Snow Leopards as an upgrade, because it believes that the honor system works best for it's customers. It doesn't try to hamper them with Activation Codes.
Pystar also knows this. But the sad truth is they don't CARE! They don't care about you either. They have no morals or guiding principals to stand on. All they really care about is the money! Money for themselves and screwing over as many people in the process. If this sounds familiar, then you know them by another name, Microsoft. Only they can profit with the dilution of the Apple brand name,.
In summary, don't pretend to the readers here that if you choose this course of action that you are any less corrupt than Pystar. And that's OK, be proud and say so, no one here really cares, but to say anything else, well you are just fooling yourself and insulting your intelligence.
Oh good grief! Spare me the moral outrage over Pystar taking advantage of the OSX86 community. I find it ironic that people who are taking Apples OS X and running it in violation of the EULA bitch and moan so loudly about Pystar taking freely available code and selling it for profit. Even IF you bought OS X legitimately (which i doubt many hackintosh owners do btw) by violating the EULA and running it on non-Apple hardware your are depriving Apple of a very profitable hardware sale. Every copy of OS X running on a hackintosh represents a potential lost hardware sale for Apple. YOU are profiting at Apples expense. You bitch an moan about Pystar but where are your morals? STFU and quit bitching about Pystar taking advantage of the OSX86 community etc., your doing the same thing to Apple when you violate the EULA and build a hackintosh.
I find it a little surprising how many of the posts here are in apparent support of Pystar. I'm also curious how many of you would still take the same attitude if we were talking about some company coming around and hacking software that you just spent 10 years developing for a targeted use.
Let's say you put years into developing your own software, and you design YOUR software to run on specialized hardware. Then you sell the complete package to consumers with assurances that your complete solution will provide them certain benefits. You are profiting now from all of the work you put into producing the software, the work you put into designing and integrating the hardware, all of the time spent fine tuning and testing the complete package to provide a certain benefit to the consumer, and some assurance that you will stand behind your product. You have also made no claims that legal or otherwise that your software is intended to function on anything other than your own hardware.
Now some guy comes along and notices that a few of the components used in your hardware are shared among other devices to the point where, with some tweaking, your software can be made to run on any hardware. This guy writes a utility that basically hacks your software to allow it to operate on "unsupported hardware". He is charging for this hack (which only exists because of your product), and he starts to build his own hardware too that he sells for profit and can run your software. The thing is, he is using your software without your permission and in any way reimbursing you to turn a profit for himself on multiple fronts. Furthermore now you have a whole bunch of people out there that are running your software on hardware it was never tested on or intended for, and that you never claimed to support. What happens when these people start running into issues and expect you to support the software that they technically bought from you? A company should be able to set certain limits and guidelines over what platforms their software will run on, just because they developed some software for one platform does not mean that they should become obligated to allow it to easily install on every device that might be hacked to run it in the future.
A lot of the arguments here are focusing on the letter of the law as far as the EULA is concerned and whether it can't be invalidated due to technicalities and ones interpretation of some of the key points. The intent of the law is being largely ignored, which at a basic level was a way for a company to establish a certain "contract" with their user that their product will be available to them as long as it is used in accordance with the rules and conditions defined. The idea is that if you use the software, then you are agreeing with this contract, if you don't agree with the contract, then don't use the software.
How dare Apple force me to buy an overpriced piece of hardware to use software they developed. If I want it and not have to support the revenue streams that allow them to offer it for the price they do, that's my right.
I don't care that iTards can't run off-the-shelf industry standard apps like 3DS Max or AutoCAD under iTard OS because AutoDesk has created vendor lock-in with Windows. Similarly I don't care about PS3 owners who can't play Splinter Cell Conviction because the off-the-shelf software is tied to Microsoft hardware.
All vendors should be forced to support Microsoft Windows, the XBox and generic PC hardware because that's all I'm prepared to buy. That'll show all those elitist snobs who can afford more expensive equipment than me.
Where this all gets comical for me is... The OSX86 community started writing boot loaders and hacking OS X to save themselves a few hundred bucks over buying genuine Apple hardware. Now they're whining about Pystar coming along and making a quick buck off of their efforts!? These people haven't suffered any financial loss from Pystar reselling their boot loader, how could they? They gave it away for free! Meanwhile the OSX86 community's hacking of OS X to run on generic intel hardware has resulted in substantial financial losses for Apple. talk about hypocrisy! If what Pystar is doing to them is wrong then so is what they're doing to Apple!
@(Unverified) I've been saying that since the deadmoo image.
I remember going through an incredible amount of efforts to spin the OSX monkey on my Zepto Laptop (Danish Laptop)... After hours of research an bollocks amounts of trail and error i got it (leopard) working PERFECTLY, just to never boot in it again. Made me realize how much i'm contented with my WIndows Vista (back then) and all the possibilities it has. Now with windows 7, Only reason for me to ever buy a mac is the overal design/build quality of the machines & to run bootcamp. And I'm a graphic designer by the way... And trust me, im not the only one thinking Windows is more efficient for designing. Osx doesn't make you creative, it doesn't make you a better designer, no matter what your "teachers" or buddies tell you. It's just what you like best and where you feel most comfortable.
can all those chameleon and osx86 lovers give me the chameleon link that installs al my kexts auto. and auto. checks apple software updates and handles them?
and who of u is using the ethernet kext made my psystar?
THANX!!
Jeez. With Windows 7 out, running a true 64-bit OS that's better than OS X, why would anyone go to the effort to run OS X on a hackintosh, anyway? At this point, why not just get Windows 7 and enjoy a hassle-free installation and end-user experience?
I was a Mac user until Windows 7 convinced me to switch, and there is no way I would go back to OS X, short of Windows 7 suddenly freaking out and running poorly. Since I've been running it for about six months now, and the retail release is running perfectly, I can't see bothering with OS X ever again.
http://store.psystar.com/rebel_efi_hcl
Hardware Compatibility List
i dont need it. now i have windows 7!
Apple don't need Boot Camp that much. You could just be using VMWare Fusion, Parallell, VirtualBox. Before Mac used Intel, Microsoft even provided VirtualPC for Mac.
So you could run Office for Windows without any problems.
But in fact, Microsoft is increasing their software development under the OS X platform and has even promised a full version of Outlook.
Didnt bother to read any of these comments, but as a member of the hackint0sh community I am a bit enraged that this is making news on engadget. Simple fact of the matter is, Hackint0sh is 100% free community, free support, free software, all of it. Psystar has made a habbit of stealing free software and rebranding it without even citing the origional licenses of the authors. TO ANYONE READING, DONT BUY REBEL EFI, IT IS A RIP OFF OF 100% FREE SOFTWARE
It does not work !
I have tried to install it and to no avail :( Good Luck to anyone, who has the required specs as this is a mixed bag honestly thoguh if you already have Iatkos 7 and thats not working you can forget his installing.
Apple makes computers? Holy crap, I thought they were just an MP3/Cell Phone company. Are their PC's any good?
Just kidding, I like the idea of Apple putting out a high quality product with their own OS on their proprietary hardware. It's nice to see a company put quality first (and resulting profits from Apple fans). It is a great business model and I hope Apple is able to defend itself from Psystar's attempts to undermine it. I've personally never put a really high premium on PC performance, so I've always bought more affordable low-end Windows PCs, similar to my choice to drive a Nissan truck instead of a BMW. My pickup gets me to work and back, which is all that I need it to do. If I wanted to spend more of my disposable income on a nicer set of wheels, I'd probably be interested in getting a BMW, just like I'd be more interested in a Mac or iPhone if I had extra cash. Just depends on a person's set of spending preferences.
I just finished installing OSX using this onto an Acer Aspire One ZG5. Worked fine, albeit slowly. Everything worked except for wireless and sound. I am wondering if the sound would have worked if I had purchased the app, as from reading in various places (including here) I know that not all kexts are loaded until you purchase it. We'll never know, as I wont be buying it. Anyhow, specs on an ZG5 are: Intel Atom 1.6GHz, 1.5GB RAM, 160GB HDD, and Intel 945GM video.