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Full Version: EFiX: OSx86 gone commercial?
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apowerr
efi-x.com, last updated June 9th, claims to offer the ability to install OS 10 on a non mac with the retail disc. The EFiX website states:
QUOTE
EFiX is the best solution for installing and using Mac OS X on your PC.
It allows its user to install Mac OS X straight from the original DVD without having to worry about patches,
replacing files and anything like that.
That means you can buy a regular PC, Mac OS X and EFiX and enjoy what the Mac users have always enjoyed:
unmodified Mac OS X on your computer, safe, easy and fast, exactly the way it should be.

The development of EFiX took a lot of time.
During the development phase, we had to deal with various problems, including sabotage.
This process also involved testing, which has been conducted for the last 6 months in production environments.
Industry leading professionals(who work for TV stations, recording studios and many others) rely on EFiX and Mac OS X running on standard PC hardware to get their tasks done.

EFiX is in the final testing phase.
All the testing has went far better than what we expected and the testers have given positive feedback.

We have planned to release it on 23rd of June, 2008. More information will be added soon.

Longtime OSx86 contributor netkas has posted EFiX in action on his blog. According to netkas, EFiX is hardware which plugs into your USB port.

As the June 23rd release approaches, many questions about EFiX remain unanswered:
-Is it an EFI emulator like PC_EFI or Chameleon?
-Is the USB device required every time you boot or just during installation?
-While this device may allow OS 10 to be installed, won't the driver situation be just like that of the OSx86 project?
-How will Apple respond to this?
-Will EFiX's EFI implementation be usable on traditional OSx86 DVDs?

Something of note is the EFiX contact page:
QUOTE
International dealers:
(If you can not find dealers in your region please contact us)

Germany
Россия
Украина
Taiwan R.O.C.
P.R.China
Japan
Korea

Notice here that the United States, along with many other countries are ignored. Also, netkas who has a sample of the device, stated:
QUOTE (netkas @ Jun 12 2008, 05:47 PM) *
they don't plan to sell it in US.

So, forget about dmcs in this case.

Thoughts?
x4hu
Sounds nice...
Envying
Very interesting stuff, thanks for sharing! biggrin.gif
Apple Freak
Guess what, I live in Taiwan! It's a good news, but this will totally OSx86 community...
Stops us from being special. Can't wait to see the price
dvdivx
Just proves there is a demand apple could fill if they wanted to. Support would be pretty poor though. It's one thing to do it since everyone here is a volunteer but to pay for something and it doesn't work is something else.
macgirl
QUOTE (erei33 @ Jun 12 2008, 09:06 PM) *
Thank Supernet33 too, he originally posted about EFiX here.

Not exactly, netkas reported first:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=110001

then redcell reported in Readers News and Reviews:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=110076

and Finally SuperNet33 on New Releases and Updates (which it isn't really a release yet):
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=110127
teknojunkie
i want this but boooo!!!! boooooo!!!!! sell to US, sell it!!!!!!!! please

I am gonna find a way to get this lol
apowerr
QUOTE (macgirl @ Jun 12 2008, 10:57 PM) *
Not exactly, netkas reported first:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=110001

then redcell reported in Readers News and Reviews:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=110076

and Finally SuperNet33 on New Releases and Updates (which it isn't really a release yet):
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=110127

I was about to edit the post to include redcell, thanks for the clarification wink.gif .
WinLinMac01
May be Apple is in this and we all don't know about it: internal procedure. tongue.gif
Careless
I have a question, and I'm not trying to be snide or sarcastic. I appreciate all the work that has gone into this.

But beyond allowing Intel/AMD PC people from booting a leopard DVD... what else does this do? I mean... will it read my nforce 4 chipset and install the proper kext? Will it read my audio and do that too? will it allow me to do system updates without a kernel patch or decrypt script?

If it's not doing that, then I'm totally fine with downloading a DVD that does.
iPhoneTom
QUOTE (Careless @ Jun 13 2008, 03:56 AM) *
will it read my nforce 4 chipset and install the proper kext? Will it read my audio and do that too?


I think you didnt get the point what this device is for.

Q: Will your BIOS install drivers for Windows?

A:
[ ] No
[ ] Yes
[ ] What is an BIOS

So....
ResX
Is it just me or does the idea behind this sound really sketchy? (and a rip-off of other peoples work)
macgirl
No, it only install all the original files from the original DVD, you still need to put kexts and patches, maybe some patches wont be needed.
iPhoneTom
QUOTE (ResX @ Jun 13 2008, 04:13 AM) *
Is it just me or does the idea behind this sound really sketchy? (and a rip-off of other peoples work)


Not really.
thaialism
the website doesn't have anything...plus osx86 have been here for almost a couple of years...and we still have not came up with solutions for all the drivers yet....false promises if u ask me....one install disk for all pc is too magical; like free sex.
iPhoneTom
QUOTE (thaialism @ Jun 13 2008, 04:20 AM) *
the website doesn't have anything...plus osx86 have been here for almost a couple of years...and we still have not came up with solutions for all the drivers yet....false promises if u ask me....one install disk for all pc is too magical; like free sex.


EFI-x is NOT an driver-package for ALL hardware out there.
Its an replacement for pc_efi that will let you install the retail DVD.
netkas
i did test with installing it to main system.

burned some 10.5.0 to dvd-dl for it.

I installed it to hdd, formated as guid, then booted jsut installed system with efix and...it booted just fine.

I only had to install audio driver for my hda, All other things worked jsut fine, update to 10.5.3 was like I am mac user, that was cool.

and, this usb thing insert to usb port on mobo.
iPhoneTom
QUOTE (netkas @ Jun 13 2008, 04:37 AM) *
i did test with installing it to main system.

burned some 10.5.0 to dvd-dl for it.

I installed it to hdd, formated as guid, then booted jsut installed system with efix and...it booted just fine.

I only had to install audio driver for my hda, All other things worked jsut fine, update to 10.5.3 was like I am mac user, that was cool.

and, this usb thing insert to usb port on mobo.


Sounds pretty good, netkas.
Thanks for testing it for the rest of us smile.gif
teknojunkie
so its not gonna be avalible in USA at all mellow.gif
~pcwiz
This could be a nice business for eBay power sellers who live in one of the countries that EFIX is sold to. They buy them in bulk, then sell them on eBay to Americans and Canadians and all the other left out countries for more than its worth dry.gif
teknojunkie
yeah so lets get some people and buy them in bulks and sell them on eBay lol
sxjthefirst
Well it's usually those outside the US who get left out when Apple introduces a new product. A mistake that I feel let MS grow so big.

Back in the days of DOS it had a cost advantage considering that , depending on the edition, a copy of Vista could cost more than one of OS X it would be interesting to see how things play out if Apple decides to retail it's OS for non Apple platforms.
pebcak
QUOTE (sxjthefirst @ Jun 13 2008, 07:17 AM) *
Well it's usually those outside the US who get left out when Apple introduces a new product. A mistake that I feel let MS grow so big.


No, the mistake is, that we pay a lot more than US customers.

e.g. the macbook pro 1999$ in US, around here Apple wants 2579$.
ipod touch 299$ in US, 400$ here
cinema display 30" 1799$ in US, 2579$ here
pitap
I don't think installing mac os thru retail dvd using that usb thing makes it anymore legal than install from a osx86 dvd
Mrcollins
It looks to me from the video that it is DUET (tianocore.org), compiled with the graphics option turned on, runing a custom bootloader like rEFIt. Other that the graphcs based bootloader, I made the same thing that boots 2k8 server via efi. What's holding me back is an UEFI /EFI x64 HFSPlus driver to do the OS X install.
CaiusJulius
QUOTE (pebcak @ Jun 13 2008, 07:29 AM) *
No, the mistake is, that we pay a lot more than US customers.

e.g. the macbook pro 1999$ in US, around here Apple wants 2579$.
ipod touch 299$ in US, 400$ here
cinema display 30" 1799$ in US, 2579$ here


Although this is getting more and more off-topic, I must say that it's simply ridiculous how Apple just converts their hardware prices from dollars to euros in Europe... especially given the current exchange rate. The ultimate rip-off.
Deviant0ne
I really want this for some reason. I am excited for its arrival. I guess I will have to pay someone in another country to send one to me... Maybe there will be a way to ghost the "software" onto a plain USB drive?
Ingram
does EFiX give any advantages compared to OSx86 distributions? Performance?
MadDoggyca
ya I waz just going to say get it off of ebay. and they be crazy nto to have a ebay store ether to sell these things to people everwere
macita
Does Apple will build a big legal action?
Is it legal? THe osx86 philosophy is gong to die?
Im not sure if all of this will have a good end..lets see..and lets having more infos about it wink.gif
psychonautuk
I dont think it will last unless you can download updates for the USB stick. Once Apple get hold of one they can figure out a way of breaking it with an update. Then theres going to be a ping pong war for ages till they find a way of putting them out of business, or buy them out!

In addition to that, someones mentioned they had to install their audio. If it wasnt for the OSX86 project to the average user you'd be totally in the dark with installing stuff that doesnt work, so the average user wont be able to get it working perfectly. It would be really good for people like us though, buy a retail DVD and apply the patches etc, all done.

I still want a proper mac though, I hate all these leads and the footprint a PC and a monitor has.
mycroes
QUOTE (CaiusJulius @ Jun 13 2008, 08:27 AM) *
Although this is getting more and more off-topic, I must say that it's simply ridiculous how Apple just converts their hardware prices from dollars to euros in Europe... especially given the current exchange rate. The ultimate rip-off.

Apple already changed some prices, but since you know it all so well I'm not gonna point them out to you. On the other hand Apple shows us in Europe prices where tax is included. Complain to your local government for having a ~20% tax on computers, not to Apple.
comatron
1.) i hope this usb-thingy will be updatetable/flashable because new updates from apple will recognize this dongle and make it useless (i guess)

2.) the company (efix) will be ripped of like apple. anyone will find a way to image the contents of this stick - so anybody will be able to flash a usb-stick with that efix-image ...

my guesses
Ueberschall
I guess I should buy a bunch of these devices and send them to the US ;-) just kidding. Cool approach. As far as I can see this is a real impact to the scene.


mycroes: The taxes in Europe are generelly high. In Germany for example we have 19% taxes on everything exept food and books. This is insane. In Switzerland all apple products are a minimum of 60€ cheaper (Germany -> iMac from 999€, Switzerland -> from 1499 CHF which is about 931€). All I know is that Switzerland has allmost the same value of taxes AND they have cheaper Apple products, as well as the americans.
aibonlengket
QUOTE (psychonautuk @ Jun 13 2008, 09:47 AM) *
I dont think it will last unless you can download updates for the USB stick. Once Apple get hold of one they can figure out a way of breaking it with an update. Then theres going to be a ping pong war for ages till they find a way of putting them out of business, or buy them out!

In addition to that, someones mentioned they had to install their audio. If it wasnt for the OSX86 project to the average user you'd be totally in the dark with installing stuff that doesnt work, so the average user wont be able to get it working perfectly. It would be really good for people like us though, buy a retail DVD and apply the patches etc, all done.

I think netkas just said earlier that he was able to update fropm 10.5.0, to 10.5.3 just like an real apple mac user. as for driver, this is an EFI, not anything else.

QUOTE
I still want a proper mac though, I hate all these leads and the footprint a PC and a monitor has.


then you should just ge a real mac.... really... there would be no hassle.
Skyper
Its not gonna be sold in the US so get over it and stop complaining..its not gonna be sold in the UK either so big deal..stick to what you have got already.
titooo
QUOTE (mycroes @ Jun 13 2008, 11:50 AM) *
Apple already changed some prices, but since you know it all so well I'm not gonna point them out to you. On the other hand Apple shows us in Europe prices where tax is included. Complain to your local government for having a ~20% tax on computers, not to Apple.

ABSOLUTELY OFFTOPIC:
Isn't about taxes neither import duties in Spain the basic Macbook Pro cost 1499€ = 2,297.52 without taxes, while in USA it's 1999U$D withot taxes as well. In USA the MAcbook Pro is almost 300$ cheaper...

At least Apple is adjusting the prices slowly, I remember 8 months ago a Macbook Pro in USA had the same price than a "travel to Boston from Madrid" + buy a Macbook pro there + Come back to Madrid from Boston". That was crazy!
lord_webi
if this thing will work, Apple will go to stop it ... a few OSX86 Hackers won´t make them angry, but "a Mac in a Stick" they won´t tolerate ... believe it !
stolevole
This thing will only make sense if it would make PCI bus working.

Otherwise, it just makes installing more simple, not more functional.
titooo
And... important thing updating more simple!
Naruto Uzumaki
its a shame really. How can they be so stupid not to sell to the U.S.?
No one gives a care for apple and why should people start to give a care for a company that has no specials and only have customers who buy their stuff because they have the money.
Apple Freak
Regarding to all the comments about legal stuffs:
WE ARE doing something that's illegal, Hackintosh for instance. Or a jailbroken iPod touch, softwares from TPB (or green Demon). And MANY MANY others, just think about it. From everyday routine, such as crossing a red light, even saying "F*** you" at people.

So, what's the point? Don't worry too much about it, we're all doing "something" that's not following the law. You may disagree, but some do (like me).
JSn1™
QUOTE (mycroes @ Jun 13 2008, 09:50 AM) *
Apple already changed some prices, but since you know it all so well I'm not gonna point them out to you. On the other hand Apple shows us in Europe prices where tax is included. Complain to your local government for having a ~20% tax on computers, not to Apple.


Yup, you're right.
For example:

Mexico, MacBook Pro with Educational Discount:

> $1999 + tax (300) = $2299

US, MacBook Pro with Educational Discount:

> $1899 + tax (150) = $2049

So, in fact, do not blame Apple, the taxes are the problem with this.

Regarding to this topic, it does not makes it more legal, you're running Mac OS X on
non-Apple hardware, so it is the same as the hackintosh
REVENGE
Ok, two bets here:

1. It will be severely overpriced.
2. It's going to get hacked, ripped, posted on the internet, and the age of Apple's monopoly on Mac hardware will soon come to an end. tongue.gif
CLiDE FTW!!1
Apple really can't do anything about it legally.

EULA won't hold up in court - Apple's legal team knows that.
1ker
How can that be possible?
I mean how is that legal?
In the Licence Agreement of Mac OSX it says something like that you are NOT allowed to install OSX on NON-APPLE Hardware?

So HTF is that possible?
netkas
Don;t forget about russia, minimal macbook pro here is 3000$ ohmy.gif

1ker, that's pretty legal, EULA says u can't isntall it on Apple LABELED computer (not a Apple MANUFACTURED computer), with every leopard retail disk u gets two copy sticks with Apple Label, so jsut puting them on your PC will make your PC apple labeled, and all's Legal wink.gif
Acidfever
QUOTE (JSn1™ @ Jun 13 2008, 12:55 PM) *
Yup, you're right.
For example:

Mexico, MacBook Pro with Educational Discount:

> $1999 + tax (300) = $2299

US, MacBook Pro with Educational Discount:

> $1899 + tax (150) = $2049

So, in fact, do not blame Apple, the taxes are the problem with this.

Regarding to this topic, it does not makes it more legal, you're running Mac OS X on
non-Apple hardware, so it is the same as the hackintosh


So how about this one then:

US basic MacBook Pro $1999 (without discount)

The Netherlands: Basic Macbook Pro 1799 euro.

Now you might think, hey.....that's quite descent of Apple by bringing that price down. But after you use a currency convertor using the current exchange rate for Euro vs Dollar you discover that the same basic MacBook pro costs 2,757.09 USD over here.

So they are not that nice at all if you think of the fact that taxes are 19% here (so a macbook pro should cost 2378,81 USD (=1,552.44 EUR). Make no mistake....Apple charges 14% more for the same MacBook Pro here for no apperent reason even including local taxes.
DOCa Cola
all what this stick can be is a regular usb storage stick with some software on it. i never had any usb device that could alter the boot process except bootable usb sticks. as the video shows, it's just some kind of loader.
the only way i can imagine is that this software is locked to be used with that stick it is distributed on but it's just some kind of software after all...not some magic hardware device
iSkylla
QUOTE (lord_webi @ Jun 13 2008, 06:57 AM) *
if this thing will work, Apple will go to stop it ... a few OSX86 Hackers won´t make them angry, but "a Mac in a Stick" they won´t tolerate ... believe it !


That's perfect, mac in stick.

The thing that I wonder about is whether AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement works, whether sleep and speedstep work. If not, this piece of hardware is useless, I might as well just keep dsmos, my CPUPowerManagement disabler and SMBIOSEnabler.
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