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derekreid

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derekreid
derekreid
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Hi,

 

I'm looking for buying advice for a new laptop. I want to use OS X as my main system, and hopefully I can avoid problems by picking a machine with most stuff working with minimal tweaking.

 

I want QE, so does that rule out anything with a ATI card? Apparently there won't be any ATI mobility cards supported unless Apple switches from Nvidia for the MacBooks. Any thoughts on the odds of this happening?

 

 

I'm looking at these two, any advice appreciated:

HP dv6-3037ca

2.26GHz Intel Core i3-350M

4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM)

ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 s

Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

 

Samsung R480

2.13 GHz Intel Core i3 330M

4GB DDR3

nVidia GeForce 310M

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  • 4 weeks later...
derekreid
derekreid
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The Samsung R480 I decided on has been good, everything working except sleep. I'm still hopeful that will be fixed eventually.

 

I would suggest checking the Hardware Compatibility Lists for 10.6.4 and 10.6.3 (http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.ph...0.6.4/Portables) to get a feel of what components are working for people.

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bubbahotep
bubbahotep
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The Samsung R480 I decided on has been good, everything working except sleep. I'm still hopeful that will be fixed eventually.

 

I would suggest checking the Hardware Compatibility Lists for 10.6.4 and 10.6.3 (http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.ph...0.6.4/Portables) to get a feel of what components are working for people.

 

unfortunately that list lists very outdated portables.

 

 

these sound like great deals...

http://www.frys.com/product/6143379?site=s...CH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

 

OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit

 

PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™ i7-720QM processor with 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80GHz

 

MEMORY: 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM), Max supported =8192MB

 

VIDEO GRAPHICS: Nvidia GeForce GT 230M with up to 2815MB total graphics memory with 1024MB dedicated

 

HARD DRIVE: 500GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive (SATA)

 

MULTIMEDIA DRIVE: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support

 

DISPLAY: 15.6" Diagonal High-Definition LED HP BrightView Display (1366x768)

 

NETWORK CARD: Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)

 

WIRELESS OPTION: Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n WLAN

 

DIGITAL MEDIA: 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards

 

AUDIO: Altec Lansing with SRS Premium Sound

 

WEBCAM: HP Webcam with integrated digital microphone

 

PC CARD SLOTS: 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)

 

PORTS: 4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA, 2 Headphone out, 1 microphone-in, HDMI, 1 VGA (15-pin), eSATA + USB 2.0, 1 RJ -45 (LAN), 1 notebook expansion port 3, 1 IEEE 1394 Firewire (4-pin), 1 Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)

 

BATTERY: 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery

 

 

http://www.frys.com/product/6410052?site=s...CH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

wifi and graphics could be an issue...

 

Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit

 

Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-720QM processor 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz

 

Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 graphics with 1024MB DDR3 with up to 3738MB total graphics memory

 

Memory: 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM), Max supported = 8GB

 

Storage Drive: 500GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive (SATA) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection

 

Optical Drive: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support

 

Display: 15.6" diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768)

 

Sound: Dolby Advanced Audio with Altec Lansing speakers

 

Webcam: HP TrueVision Webcam with integrated digital microphone

 

Security: HP SimplePass with integrated fingerprint reader

 

Communications: Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector), Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n WLAN

 

Expandability: 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader* for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards

 

Ports: 3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 1 eSATA/USB 2.0 port, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA (15-pin), 1 RJ -45 (LAN), 1 Headphone-out, 1 Microphone-in

 

Battery: 6-Cell 55WHr Lithium-Ion Battery

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StallionEast
StallionEast
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unfortunately that list lists very outdated portables.

 

 

these sound like great deals...

http://www.frys.com/product/6143379?site=s...CH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

 

OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit

 

PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™ i7-720QM processor with 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80GHz

 

MEMORY: 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM), Max supported =8192MB

 

VIDEO GRAPHICS: Nvidia GeForce GT 230M with up to 2815MB total graphics memory with 1024MB dedicated

 

HARD DRIVE: 500GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive (SATA)

 

MULTIMEDIA DRIVE: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support

 

DISPLAY: 15.6" Diagonal High-Definition LED HP BrightView Display (1366x768)

 

NETWORK CARD: Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)

 

WIRELESS OPTION: Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n WLAN

 

DIGITAL MEDIA: 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards

 

AUDIO: Altec Lansing with SRS Premium Sound

 

WEBCAM: HP Webcam with integrated digital microphone

 

PC CARD SLOTS: 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)

 

PORTS: 4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA, 2 Headphone out, 1 microphone-in, HDMI, 1 VGA (15-pin), eSATA + USB 2.0, 1 RJ -45 (LAN), 1 notebook expansion port 3, 1 IEEE 1394 Firewire (4-pin), 1 Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)

 

BATTERY: 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery

 

 

http://www.frys.com/product/6410052?site=s...CH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

wifi and graphics could be an issue...

 

Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit

 

Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-720QM processor 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz

 

Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 graphics with 1024MB DDR3 with up to 3738MB total graphics memory

 

Memory: 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM), Max supported = 8GB

 

Storage Drive: 500GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive (SATA) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection

 

Optical Drive: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support

 

Display: 15.6" diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768)

 

Sound: Dolby Advanced Audio with Altec Lansing speakers

 

Webcam: HP TrueVision Webcam with integrated digital microphone

 

Security: HP SimplePass with integrated fingerprint reader

 

Communications: Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector), Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n WLAN

 

Expandability: 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader* for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards

 

Ports: 3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 1 eSATA/USB 2.0 port, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA (15-pin), 1 RJ -45 (LAN), 1 Headphone-out, 1 Microphone-in

 

Battery: 6-Cell 55WHr Lithium-Ion Battery

 

Did u installed osx86 on the 720QM specs I have dv6-3060ee same specs just with new theme style

if u did pleease tell me what have u done to do it !!! thanks

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bubbahotep
bubbahotep
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Did u installed osx86 on the 720QM specs I have dv6-3060ee same specs just with new theme style

if u did pleease tell me what have u done to do it !!! thanks

 

No, Im still looking to buy a laptop. unfortunately HP stopped selling the intel with NVIDIA graphics.

so right now, im at a loss which to buy...

 

your has ati graphics afaict, so it wont work. ati is currently not supported by osx86.

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  • 2 weeks later...
projekt k
projekt k
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nvidia cards will give you support to run apps like Logic or Final Cut Pro. The ATI works just not fully so these applications that require the full supported graphics card won't work.

 

to the guy who said it isn't very convenient to use OS X you must be a gamer or something. For audio or film production as well as graphics, CAD, web design, etc. Programs work way more fluidly than windows. Also OS X is not as Virus prone as Microsoft products.Professional use OS X, personal use just save the money. When you build a PC, Hackintosh is actually cheaper because Windows OS is like $300

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OSXtotheZ
OSXtotheZ
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May be I'm missing something...I love the whole hackintosh experience minus the inevitable hair pulling. But once you start to get into the $800-$900 dollar range shouldn't you start asking yourself if a genuine mac product isn't the better choice and just suck it up for the extra $200 buck and save yourself some grief. I'm all for the $399-$599 hackintosh laptops and can live with some of the minor short comings that may come with that but once I fork out $800 i want everything to work ie. sleep, graphics QE, audio, mic, SD, Video Cam, and trackpad Gestures those are great once you get the hang of them. What would be the argument for this high of a priced hackintosh?

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WEB11
WEB11
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May be I'm missing something...I love the whole hackintosh experience minus the inevitable hair pulling. But once you start to get into the $800-$900 dollar range shouldn't you start asking yourself if a genuine mac product isn't the better choice and just suck it up for the extra $200 buck and save yourself some grief. I'm all for the $399-$599 hackintosh laptops and can live with some of the minor short comings that may come with that but once I fork out $800 i want everything to work ie. sleep, graphics QE, audio, mic, SD, Video Cam, and trackpad Gestures those are great once you get the hang of them. What would be the argument for this high of a priced hackintosh?

 

Many of us including myself don't want a real mac. I would use it as a secondary OS. I love Windows 7 and that will be my primary OS. I wouldn't mind spending over $1000 for the right hardware. I don't know why people have to pull the buy a real mac card all the time here. Isn't this the home of OSx86?

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Alessandro17
Alessandro17
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I don't know why people have to pull the buy a real mac card all the time here. Isn't this the home of OSx86?

 

Because we have been asked one zillion times "Can you tell me what to buy?" and now we are absolutely fed-up.

Do you want to run OS X on your PC? Search, buy one and try. We have also said countless times that laptops are not going to work as well as desktop you build yourself.

And finally you should approach this project with the right attitude. If you plan to use OS X as your second or third OS, don't even bother. This project needs "love", willingness to search, learn, spend money, contribute back...

That is how it used to be. Now it has become a fashion and people believe that installing OS X on a PC is akin to installing Ubuntu. Nothing could be further than the truth.

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WEB11
WEB11
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This project needs "love", willingness to search, learn, spend money, contribute back...

 

And being so hostile towards new members is going to help accomplish this? You are being too quick to assume that because someone wants advice on how to start right that they are not willing to put in what it takes. I mean if you don't want to help a novice then by all means ignore him but jumping on his throat because he asked a question that has been asked before? It's a forum with thousands of posts, answers can be hard to find sometimes. Eventually people will search and not find a clear answer and ask it again.

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Hagar
Hagar
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And being so hostile towards new members is going to help accomplish this? You are being too quick to assume that because someone wants advice on how to start right that they are not willing to put in what it takes. I mean if you don't want to help a novice then by all means ignore him but jumping on his throat because he asked a question that has been asked before? It's a forum with thousands of posts, answers can be hard to find sometimes. Eventually people will search and not find a clear answer and ask it again.

 

The reason things are hard to find is because people like yourself keep posting rather than reading & learning, adding to the clutter and "noise". The cardinal rule for new users should be: read till your eyes bleed, try, try again, google your errors, read more, try some more, and finally when you have an error you can't get past, and plenty of information to go with it, and ONLY then.. should you even consider posting a question.

 

The general principle is that those who have knowledge should post, those who don't should read & learn until they do. This way information flows properly. The opposite is for people to turn up & ask questions, expecting answers just for them.

I know this is contrary to human nature, as most people quite demonstrably are selfish, opportunistic and lazy, but that is why this place is moderated, rather than being a free-for-all which would result in the whole place being dumbed down to the point of uselessness.

 

Recently we have had another rash of people posting "I've got a laptop, can someone tell me if it can run os x and if so explain how in simple steps?"

 

It's NOT for everyone. It's NOT a "cheap mac for iPhone dev or running FCP/Pro Tools" it's NOT a point-and-click process.

 

It IS a fun and rewarding hobby for those who are that way inclined, but they are being choked & drowned by all the people wanting a free ride.

 

The bottom line is that unless you learn about bootloaders and kexts, about terminal commands and ACPI tables, about the most intimate details of your hardware and how os x relates to it, you're not going to have a very satisfying experience anyway, so you might as well not bother.

 

 

Oh, and by the way, ignoring novices as you suggest doesn't work, they just end up getting bad answers from people with little more experience than themselves, answers which then propagate and get repeated as correct, with predictably bad results.

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Amacx86
Amacx86
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May be I'm missing something...I love the whole hackintosh experience minus the inevitable hair pulling. But once you start to get into the $800-$900 dollar range shouldn't you start asking yourself if a genuine mac product isn't the better choice and just suck it up for the extra $200 buck and save yourself some grief. I'm all for the $399-$599 hackintosh laptops and can live with some of the minor short comings that may come with that but once I fork out $800 i want everything to work ie. sleep, graphics QE, audio, mic, SD, Video Cam, and trackpad Gestures those are great once you get the hang of them. What would be the argument for this high of a priced hackintosh?

 

I'm right there with you. My current Hackintosh laptop is an IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T60 that I bought for $329. Upgraded the RAM to 4 gigs (only 3 recognized) and the hard drive from 60 gig to 160 gigs with what I had sitting around. The key though is it has to be cheap. If it's above around $600, the aggravation involved vs just buying a Macbook isn't worth it.

 

The problem is that with Intel HD and 4500 graphics there really is a shortage of inexpensive laptops that will run OS X well...

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  • 2 weeks later...
PsicheAlCubo
PsicheAlCubo
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Ok guys :) I just got why my thread of last night has been deleted..I basically was asking the same thing: in the next weeks I´m gonna buy my new laptop..and wanted to have some suggestions to find a few models free of issues..

 

I totally understand both Hagar´s and Alessandro´s point..from a side...on the other hand I can understand a niubbie (like me..) that suddenly discover this "world" just by chance..and get so excited bout it that can´t phisically wait to read till his eyes are bleeding to know how to move his first steps..

 

Personally I´m quite good solving every possible computer problems ever encoutered on my or on any friend´s pc...I´m the "Pc Boy" of the situation.....sometimes I even get paid to teach computer science....so in few words: I usually know what to do and how to do it where most people don´t........

 

All this under windows environment...but when it comes to speak bout Linux or MacOs I don´t know ABSOLUTELY nothing: a few things I learned installing SL on my desktop..but that was just a month ago..and it´s not at all enough to learn anything...

 

Most people here who are not students work 8 hours a day and when they come home there´s a family waiting there..this means that the ammount of time and energies that they can put on this project, unless they make a living out of being computer engineers, is not that much you can think of..that what leads most of them to write "stupid questions" over and over...but this is even quite normal when you know SO much of something and somebody new try to follow the same steps....

 

What do I say all this for? I think that even if not everybody can contribute the same way to this project..the more we are..the best will be: no matter how many people will come and ask just to leave the next day..eventually somebody will stay as an active part of the comunity and will help to develop the project..

 

These are my 2cents :) that said..a list with the most common laptop models and their known issues including those who work flowlessly would be of great help..both for you developpers..and for us newbbies

 

Peace

 

P.S. I found this spreadsheet..everybody can contribute :D : https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Ap...amp;hl=en#gid=0

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