Matt K. Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Hi! I love Mac OS X, but as I'm sure is true for everybody here, the high prices of Apple computers has prevented me from buying one yet. I heard about Hackintosh last month and have been avidly researching it ever since, but my current computer is too old to run OS X (not to mention it's an AMD system anyway). So I have been considering a relatively inexpensive Dell system to purchase and turn into a Hackintosh computer. Here are the specs on the system I have been considering. (And before you ask, I have checked that it has an SSE2/SSE3 processor.) Dell Inspiron 530 Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200 processor (2MB L2, 2.5GHz, 800FSB) 16X DVD+/-RW Drive 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio Comes pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (which I will replace with OS X immediately if possible) Cost: $379 So what do you think? Do any potential problems jump out at you, or does it look like this system could run OS X Leopard? If you need more information, I can probably provide it, or you can check the Dell web site. Thanks for any help you can give me - $380 may not seem like a lot of money, but I don't really want to rush out and spend it on a computer which I later find out can't even run OS X. ~Matt Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/173075-before-i-buy-a-new-dell/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
alatnet Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 I have the same computer (Bought it at walmart for $600) and it works great for running mac. you are going to have to get the correct configuration when you install mac. also, it doesnt matter what audio driver you use when you install mac on inspiron 530, you have to use this kext: http://code.google.com/p/voodoohda/ Since i had upgraded my gfx, i have no clue on what to choose to use the motherboard gfx. For network, choose ethernet and the last option and it should work. Chipset is something that i cant remember which one i use but i believe it was one of the ones that had an I in the name and G with a few number, sry if i cant help you there . That should be all that you need to install and have mac running on the Dell Inspiron 530, hopefully. Hope this helps you out. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/173075-before-i-buy-a-new-dell/#findComment-1190357 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K. Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share Posted July 3, 2009 I have the same computer (Bought it at walmart for $600) and it works great for running mac.you are going to have to get the correct configuration when you install mac. also, it doesnt matter what audio driver you use when you install mac on inspiron 530, you have to use this kext: http://code.google.com/p/voodoohda/ Since i had upgraded my gfx, i have no clue on what to choose to use the motherboard gfx. For network, choose ethernet and the last option and it should work. Chipset is something that i cant remember which one i use but i believe it was one of the ones that had an I in the name and G with a few number, sry if i cant help you there . That should be all that you need to install and have mac running on the Dell Inspiron 530, hopefully. Hope this helps you out. Thanks! I will probably swap out the integrated graphics for my current NVIDIA GeForce card anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem. I've never created a Hackintosh before though, so how do you do the kexts, settings, and stuff? (I apologize for my newbishness in advance.) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/173075-before-i-buy-a-new-dell/#findComment-1191234 Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphoneuser Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 dude, you can build one for 300 bucks, and it will be a MUCH better computer... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/173075-before-i-buy-a-new-dell/#findComment-1191280 Share on other sites More sharing options...
alatnet Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Thanks! I will probably swap out the integrated graphics for my current NVIDIA GeForce card anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem. I've never created a Hackintosh before though, so how do you do the kexts, settings, and stuff? (I apologize for my newbishness in advance.) There's a program that you can choose to install when you first install mac. I think it is along the lines of kext installer or something. When you customize your install for mac, be sure to check the applications tree for the programs. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/173075-before-i-buy-a-new-dell/#findComment-1191958 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K. Posted July 4, 2009 Author Share Posted July 4, 2009 To iphoneuser: Go ahead and send me the spec for a computer I could build for $300 which would be better than this one, all right? The only flaw I can see in the Inspiron 530's design is the video card, which I will just be replacing anyway. A 2.5GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of memory, 500GB hard drive, DVD+/-R ... these things all add up pretty quick, plus I also have to buy a case, motherboard, wi-fi card, and other accessories when building a computer. I think this Dell is the best deal for the quality and price, and I have looked into building one too. To alatnet: So the Kext Installer will just install everything for me, or something? Or do I still have to obtain the kexts themselves? And how do I know which kexts I need? ... What is a kext, anyway? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/173075-before-i-buy-a-new-dell/#findComment-1192096 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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