cremestar Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 ok guys, here's the scenario: my friend is a linux fan, but the rest of his household is addicted to macs. He really wants to build his 1st computer, but the folks are wanting to buy a legit mac instead. So, im about to introduce him to the osx86 project, but to do so, i need some hardware suggestions on what his compontents would be. therefore, ill just place the requirements for this computer as a list: 1. Must be as cheap as possible (<~USD700 tower only) in order to justify the cost of NOT buying an imac 2. Must be easy to work. I already have JaS 10.4.8, an old Leopard Flat Image, and s l o w l y downloading Kalyway 10.5.1 (heard lots of success stories, but d/ling at ~40kb/s). My friend gives up VERY easy and likes as little as a fuss as possible 3. MUST be able to dual boot ubuntu hardy 8.04 (the newest one) thank you EVERYONE who replies for ALL your help! this is the first time i touched in the osx86 project because both of my computers cannot run os x (one is an amd based dell dimension e521, the other a homebrew with intel g33 chipset and nvidia 9600gt graphics, both of which cannot run os x) anyways, i really appreciate all of your help for a n00b such as myself, Oh, and also since i am a total n00b, i would really appreciate step-by-step instructions. Thanks ~Cremestar ps - by the way, any suggestions for a sub-$1000 laptop i can buy that can run osx86? I'm about to buy one at the end of summer, and i too want to experience os x... Thank you EVERYONE!!! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
~pcwiz Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 I'll give you a build: Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe @ 2.66GHz Cost: $179.99 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R ATX Cost: $119.99 Video Card: ZOTAC 7600GS 512MB GDDR2 PCIe x16 Cost: $56.99 RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB DDR2 800 Cost: $54.99 Optical Drive: LITE-ON 20x DVD+/-RW SATA Black Cost: $30.99 Case and PSU: Antec Sonata III Black Steel Case with 500W Antec EarthWatts PSU Cost: $149.99 Hard Drives (2, one for OS X and one for Ubuntu): Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 250GB SATA II Cost 2x: $119.98 TOTAL: About $712.98 without tax And there you have it. Your cheap but fully compatible and moderately powerful OS X build. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-767470 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 I'll give you a build: Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe @ 2.66GHz Cost: $179.99 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R ATX Cost: $119.99 Video Card: ZOTAC 7600GS 512MB GDDR2 PCIe x16 Cost: $56.99 RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB DDR2 800 Cost: $54.99 Optical Drive: LITE-ON 20x DVD+/-RW SATA Black Cost: $30.99 Case and PSU: Antec Sonata III Black Steel Case with 500W Antec EarthWatts PSU Cost: $149.99 Hard Drives (2, one for OS X and one for Ubuntu): Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 250GB SATA II Cost 2x: $119.98 TOTAL: About $712.98 without tax And there you have it. Your cheap but fully compatible and moderately powerful OS X build. thank you SO much pcwiz! sorry if im occupying your time or something, but do you have a sub-1000 laptop reccomendation? (unrelated side-note: i used your vmware guide, everything worked but internet - good guide though, even though it probably was my cheap mobo's ethernet chip) anyways, thanks! let me forward this to my friend btw - just calculated - with 8.25% tax (thats here in CA) its $771) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-767473 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Smart Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Fill us in on the build, screenshots and all... They are always interesting reads... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-767484 Share on other sites More sharing options...
~pcwiz Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Sorry, I'm not usually "in" on the laptop OSx86 world since I've never done it before. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-767485 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 @Tim: what do you mean by screenshots and all? btw, do you know any good <1000 osx86 laptops @pcwiz: thats fine... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-767490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
~pcwiz Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 It means to show screenshots of the build and the install process, etc. as you go along Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-767493 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Smart Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 @Tim: what do you mean by screenshots and all? btw, do you know any good <1000 osx86 laptops Yeah so pull out the old camera and post here every now and again, showing us how the PC build is going. And sorry I'm not very clued up about OSx86 on laptops. Generally if you want Mac on a laptop... I would suggest buying a genuine Mac laptop. They never fail to bore me. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-767511 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 It means to show screenshots of the build and the install process, etc. as you go along oh...thanks again, pcwiz to the rescue lol! anyways, i need to see if i can take pictures of each step if the build would actually be made hopefully, it will... @tim - well actually, my primary purpose for that laptop is running vista, so.....i would prefer a mainstream laptop. plus, i dont really like the macbook Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-767523 Share on other sites More sharing options...
~pcwiz Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Why don't you like the MacBook? It can run Vista and Leopard without any problems or hacks. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-768685 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 4, 2008 Author Share Posted June 4, 2008 everyone who knows me know i dont like macs...also, i prefer something a little cheaper. lastly, macbook is not exactly impressive hardware...if i have to pay money (which everybody needs to for any computer) i might as well get my money's worth... oh, and whoever moved this topic: thanks! i didnt know there was this forum Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-770133 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 everyone who knows me know i dont like macs...also, i prefer something a little cheaper. lastly, macbook is not exactly impressive hardware...if i have to pay money (which everybody needs to for any computer) i might as well get my money's worth... oh, and whoever moved this topic: thanks! i didnt know there was this forum I can understand wanting to build a desktop to run OSX -you really can do much better than Apple's desktop choices- but for laptops, the Macbook isn't a bad deal. I haven't seen much evidence that there's really any great number of PC laptops cheaper than a Macbook that will run OSX, and if so, with full features and full battery life intact. If I already had a PC laptop that was OSX compatible it would be worth installing it, but I don't think I'd set out to buy a PC laptop with the express purpose of running OSX on it. I could be wrong- heck, I'd be happy to be wrong- but I'd love to see the list of better/cheaper PC laptops for OSX. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-771118 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 I can understand wanting to build a desktop to run OSX -you really can do much better than Apple's desktop choices- but for laptops, the Macbook isn't a bad deal. I haven't seen much evidence that there's really any great number of PC laptops cheaper than a Macbook that will run OSX, and if so, with full features and full battery life intact. If I already had a PC laptop that was OSX compatible it would be worth installing it, but I don't think I'd set out to buy a PC laptop with the express purpose of running OSX on it. I could be wrong- heck, I'd be happy to be wrong- but I'd love to see the list of better/cheaper PC laptops for OSX. i've heard that the hp dv6000t and dv2000t series work beautifully (i was actually having a favoriable bias to those two laptops before thinking about hackintosh), the dell inspiron 1505, 1720, dell vostro 1500 & 1700 are also compatible ive heard... for some other people's thoughts, look at my other thread here: http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=108614 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-771447 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 They work, but not beautifully. Something is always not working, whether it be sound input, or the webcam, or the network card or something. Then it's a hack to get sleep working, sometimes it works, but even then not as easily or well as a Macbook. Lastly, it's hard to find a Laptop like the Macbook which has 5 hours of battery life. That's more than double what my Acer can do. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-771641 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 just wondering...what is your acer? a core 2 duo, or what? and what model number, if its still on market? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-771683 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 It's a Celeron, the Travelmate 2480 series. I don't know if it's still being made, actually I'm pretty sure it's been phased out. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-771718 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 It's a Celeron, the Travelmate 2480 series. I don't know if it's still being made, actually I'm pretty sure it's been phased out. you know what...this is weird, your ancient model laptop with components that are extinct in the wild (intel 400-series celerons have been discontinued since january), is actually still availible on certain sites (thanks to google checkout)...does it dual boot with vista okay? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-772888 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysaor Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Macbooks are way overpriced for their specs. If you are in US, look for Dell coupons and deals, can't beat Dell's prices. M1530 in my sig cost 925$+tax, similar specced MBP costs 2500$+tax. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-772912 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 @chrysaor - that's the point that i was making xD. also, the xps m1530 is now ~$1000, i prefer a little bit cheaper - does the inspiron 1525 (lower end with intel x3100 graphics) work mostly OOB? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-772944 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thespottedelf Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 i'm sorry but you guys arn't looking in the right places if you want a dirt cheap mac... ebay... macsales.com http://www.powermax.com/ are 2 good mac sales companies.... ebay is your friend too.... i'm sorry to use cliches but its true... they just work... and btw teh x3110 or w/e it is isn't that bad... my brother plays CoD 2 and First to Fight on his 2.2 ghz macbook with no problems... med/high Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-773562 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 it was gma x3100 integrated on some laptops ...*yawn* sorry if im seeming a little bit short-tempered, but i dont want a macbook... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-774156 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 11, 2008 Author Share Posted June 11, 2008 bump um...if anyone has any more recommendations, please post it in my laptop thread (http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=108614) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-779104 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgreenpc Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I am on the fence with buying an XPS 420... wife wants me to get a computer with a warranty. Looking at: XPS 420 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E8400 (6MB L2 Cache,3.0GHz,1333FSB) ( or a 2.6ghz quad core ) 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs 320GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability Nvidia 8800GTS 320MB Integrated 7.1 Channel Thoughts? Want it to not be a MASSIVE ordeal to install Leopard. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-780253 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cremestar Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 *cough*youshouldstartyourownthread*cough* anyways, im not the right person to ask, but from looking at the specs, processor would definetly work, not sure about its x38 chipset (search the forum), graphics card should work, audio might work if you get some kind of patch...i dont know, wait for more replies...obviously the best choice is either something from the wiki HCL or build your own (much cheaper and no bloat) computer Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-781265 Share on other sites More sharing options...
djet Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 What you sayin bout mah macboox? I got a black one refurbished from Apple for > 1000$...... stuck 3GB of RAM in it for 60$ and this thing runs sweetly.... the only problems I've had with it have come from my own stupidity. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/108222-new-computer-build/#findComment-787008 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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