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Build Your Own Mac for $199

Swad

By Swad

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While it was always possible (although costly and time consuming) to cobble together a PowerPC Mac from old and new parts, hardly anyone did it. Now that Apple has introduced OS X for Intel processors, however, it’s conceivable that you could soon be building your own Mac from scratch.

 

One user, CEpeep, shopped around and found everything you’d need to build your own Intel Mac for under $200 - no rebates, no refurbs. Sure, the case is a little ghetto, it's got a 20 gig hard drive, and it’s no Millennium Falcon in terms of speed, but it runs Quartz Extreme and everything else that Tiger x86 requires. Most of us could actually build one for less with a few spare parts we have lying around…well…actually all over.

 

Obviously, there are still many reasons why you’ll want to buy a true Mac – Apple quality and support, the current lack of a legal x86 OS X, etc. But it’s interesting to think that the days of the do-it-yourself Mac may be just around the corner.

 

The list:

Case $9.95: http://www.buypcdirect.com/product.asp?pf_id=cas-ge-lp600

Motherboard $52.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813157075

Processor $60.77: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=CELE-315BX&src=fr

512 RAM $38.00: http://store.yahoo.com/pcmemory-stores/25pc26stoemf.html

20 Gigabyte HD $25.95: http://www.etech4sale.com/hardware/partinfo-id-1852.html

DVD Drive $12.00: http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?iid=107882

 

Total: $199.66

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Hagar

The legality of posting these links is debatable, but the conclusion is that if you can't find these things for yourself, you probably won't be able to install them either.

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Mage66
The legality of posting these links is debatable, but the conclusion is that if you can't find these things for yourself, you probably won't be able to install them either.

 

Well... Be careful with unwarrented assumptions, and ego.

 

Because even though I didn't know how to find them, once someone showed me... I got them to work.

 

Are you here to help others get their system working, or to show how much better than them you are?

 

Because as a user who is a "babe in the woods" in this area, your post was NOT AT ALL helpful or even kind.

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Hagar

If I caused any offence, I apologise, I am merely trying to make sure we can keep this place of discussion open for just that. In actual fact, you found the way elsewhere, which was what I meant to imply.

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jthunder

How about this hardware combo:

 

Asus P4P800-MX i865GV S478 mATX w Intel Celeron D-315 533FSB 2.26 S478 Box................. $129.00 (CDN)

 

Then add a 512 stick of PC3200 RAM and a harddrive.

 

It seems like the i865GV chipset is partially supported. Anything I should look out for?

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Mage66
If I caused any offence, I apologise, I am merely trying to make sure we can keep this place of discussion open for just that. In actual fact, you found the way elsewhere, which was what I meant to imply.

 

Not a problem. I understand the desire to keep this place open and available.

 

It's an incredibly great resource!

 

My only use for this system is to play... I own several Blue and White G3's, a G4 500mhz, and a 1.42 Mac Mini. So, I don't need this system for any other reason than the Coolness factor.

 

I'll probably sell off my Mac Mini and bank the money towards a new Intel Based Mini when they become available next year.

 

It wasn't that expensive, just to play with as I had RAM, HD and a DVD Drive anyway. So a Case, Motherboard and Chip was less than $130.00.

 

And I can always use this nice little system as a backup or to play with the Windows XP Vista Beta.

 

I picked up an 80gb SATA drive from Computer Geeks for $57.00, if I can transfer the OSX Image to that, I might do that and use this IDE 20gb for something else. Otherwise, I'll use the SATA drive for playing with Vista and leave the MacOS X Intel on the 20gb.

 

The ONLY reason someone would want to build one of these systems at this time, and with such a pre-release version of the OS, is just for fun...

 

FUN!

 

LOL!

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Mage66

I bought an 80gb SATA drive for my $199 special.

 

And while I can install Windows Vista Beta 1 to it, I can't seem to install the Developer Edition of MacOS X 10.4.1 to it.

 

I downloaded and burned the Generic Install DVD, and that starts to boot and then displays a "no" symbol in the middle of the boot screen.

 

I guess I'll try to burn the other DVD image I found and try it.

 

If I can get even one of them to boot, I should be able to access the "Disk Utility" on the install DVD and image my already working 20gb ATA drive to the SATA drive.

 

But, off the 20gb ATA drive, it's working nicely.

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zfire89

i bought a asus p4p800-mx board and all works except core image,but the good thing is you have 4 ram slots and 2 ide ports and to sata. Im really satified with board and recommend it

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Mage66

Ok, some of the items originally listed are no longer available or at new prices...

 

Here's my attempt to bring a new machine in for under $199

 

The list:

 

Case $19.95: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=KG-200&cat=CAS

ASROCK Motherboard $52.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813157075

Celeron D 2.94ghz Processor $49.95*: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...09132&CatId=261

512 RAM $38.00: http://store.yahoo.com/pcmemory-stores/25pc26stoemf.html

20 Gigabyte HD $25.95: http://www.etech4sale.com/hardware/partinfo-id-1852.html

12x DVD Drive $12.50: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=6067100011-R&cat=DVD

 

(* = After Rebate)

 

Total: $199.34

 

I couldn't keep it under $199 because I couldn't find a case to match the $9.95 Special, so the faster CPU from Tiger nets you an under $199 price... But, you do have to lay out the full price of the processor up front.

 

But, the case is nicer, the CPU is faster, and one can always kick up the DVD ROM up to a DVD Burner for only about $12 more.

 

I found 512mb of PC2100 ECC Registered RAM at $35.00 or 2 pieces of 256mb RAM ECC Registered for $15 each at www.dealram.com, pointing to 1800memory.com. Will ECC Registered RAM Work? If so, you can knock off another $8 on the RAM and get a faster DVD Drive or a nicer case.

 

Anyone else have a take on this???

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Mage66

Tiger Direct has 512mb of PC3200 RAM on sale for $19.95 after a $40.00 rebate..

 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...SRCCODE=WEM981C

 

That's what I put in my $199 special, skipping the PC2100 Memory.

 

I'm expecting to upgrade my P4 3.2mhz Main machine to a faster processor at some future time, and pass that processor down to my $199 special.

 

So, I wanted RAM that would accommodate that.

 

Al

 

Another thing I noticed, is that there is no CPU fan included in that pricing...

 

So, that adds another $10.00 at a minimum (Tiger Direct has Intel CPU Fans for $9.95).

 

I forgot all about that when pricing my unit.

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thrunner
Tiger Direct has 512mb of PC3200 RAM on sale for $19.95 after a $40.00 rebate..

 

So, that adds another $10.00 at a minimum (Tiger Direct has Intel CPU Fans for $9.95).

 

I forgot all about that when pricing my unit.

 

Tiger Direct has a bad reputation, see Fatwallet

 

Retail Intel CPU has fan for free

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Mage66
Tiger Direct has a bad reputation, see Fatwallet

 

Retail Intel CPU has fan for free

 

I've been doing business with Tiger for over 10 years.

 

NEVER had a problem with them. Not once.

 

Nor has any of my friends who I've recommended to them.

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Mage66

 

The problem with that, is NOBODY I know has had a problem with them...

 

And generally, you hear from people when they have complaints, NOT when they got good service.

 

All that review shows is that Tiger does LOTS of business, and so... Generates complaints.

 

I've been in mailorder business. And no matter how good you are, you generate complaints.

 

What's the point of this pogrom?

 

What did Tiger Direct ever do to you?

 

How does this contribute to the OSX Intel Community?

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thrunner

@Mage66

 

Do you have any relationship with Tiger Direct?

You sounded like you do. And if you do, you should say so.

 

If the thread is about $199 deal, I would think OSX86project members would like to know that their $ is well spent.

 

There are plenty of mail order firms that have MUCH BETTER ratings than Tiger Direct. I have no connections with any of them.

 

It is just Caveat Emptor for Tiger Direct.

 

For someone with 12 posts on this forum, you sounded quite OVERLY indignant over a few words of warning for our fellow members.

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Mage66
@Mage66

 

Do you have any relationship with Tiger Direct?

You sounded like you do. And if you do, you should say so.

 

If the thread is about $199 deal, I would think OSX86project members would like to know that their $ is well spent.

 

There are plenty of mail order firms that have MUCH BETTER ratings than Tiger Direct. I have no connections with any of them.

 

It is just Caveat Emptor for Tiger Direct.

 

For someone with 12 posts on this forum, you sounded quite OVERLY indignant over a few words of warning for our fellow members.

 

Other than being a long time customer of them, no. I have no relation to Tiger Direct.

 

I'm someone who stands for people being fair.

 

And I think it's unfair to slam Tiger.

 

I've NEVER had a problem with them, recommend them ALL THE TIME. And have never regretted it.

 

I've gotten some of my best deals on equipment from them.

 

This thread is about creating a clone Developer Mac as cheaply as possible.

 

And so far, I haven't found reliable vendors that have the depth of stock and the consistently low prices that Tiger has.

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thrunner
I'm someone who stands for people being fair.

 

Fairness is giving people all the facts and let people decide for themselves. It is not my point of view or your point of view for that matters.

 

That was all that I did when when I showed the threads such as:

 

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1983-...d1.html#reviews

 

Average or below average reviews.

 

And I think it's unfair to slam Tiger.

 

Pointing out a review is not called SLAMMING.

 

And so far, I haven't found reliable vendors that have the depth of stock and the consistently low prices that Tiger has.

 

You have got to be kidding. Just go to www.resellerratings.com or any other buying sites and read the reviews.

 

And no, I don't have any relationship with resellerratings.com either.

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Mage66
You have got to be kidding. Just go to www.resellerratings.com or any other buying sites and read the reviews.

 

And no, I don't have any relationship with resellerratings.com either.

 

You're taking the thread WAY off topic...

 

There's NOTHING wrong with Tiger Direct, and if someone wants to follow your links and believe them, that's fine.

 

Let them do that.

 

I've done business with them for 15 years, and I trust that history of ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS, NOT ONE... To some disgruntled people. That's fine.

 

Now, instead of flaming this thread... Do you have anything valuable to add?

 

If you know of better suppliers that are cheaper than Tiger, can you spec a system using parts from them?

 

THAT would have been a better response than what you're doing...

 

It's ALSO what I asked for.

 

So, DON'T reply to this message with ANYTHING other than speccing a $199 Special, from suppliers that YOU like and trust... And let the readers of this thread decide for themselves..

 

Who knows? You might be able to provide a MUCH better deal!

 

And THAT would be a GREAT contribution to this thread.

 

Will you do that?

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DJ BeaST

well guys could anyone show us if this thing going to work and if it had worked with anybody here ? could anyone post the pictures to prove that is right and this prosses could be true ?

 

from me to all

 

John

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Mage66
well guys could anyone show us if this thing going to work and if it had worked with anybody here ? could anyone post the pictures to prove that is right and this prosses could be true ?

 

from me to all

 

John

 

I've built one of these systems with both the 20gb IDE drive and a $57 80gb SATA drive, and both are working PERFECTLY!!!

 

I'm using a faster processor though.. A Celeron D 2.92 Mhz processor from Tiger Direct.

 

So, no worries Mate!

 

Go build one!

 

Tiger even has Memory on Sale now CHEAP!!!

 

Or go check DealRam.com if you think Tiger isn't a good company.

 

Al

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magisa

Hi!

 

New to this forum! :-)

 

Maybe a bit off topic but (in price)

 

I run OS X on a:

 

MB: Aopen i915Gm-HFS

CPU: Intel Pentium Mobile 760J (2.0GHz)

RAM: 1Gb DDR2 (2x512)

HDD: WD 200Gb SATA II

Case: Antec P180 (The best chassie i ever had)

 

But the best part is when the computer is in idle it only consumes 40 Watt!!

 

Every thing in OS X works like a charm! i even upgraded it to 10.4.3.

...oh! almost every thing works... the built-in gigabit lan dont work.

 

I run

iLife 05 (Works)

Adobe Creative Suit CS 2 (Works)

Front Row (Works!!) iPhoto dont work in front row, except that everything goes

DVD player (Works)

iWork 05 (Works!)

MS Office 2004 (Works)

iTunes (Works)

... aso

 

i was against everything that was Mac before but when i installed OS X im totally sold!

I will buy a Mac as soon as the Intel ones comes out! It seems to buy a PPC is a waste of money.

Its THE best OS i ever have tried!! i will NEVER go back to windows!!

 

:-) I just feel so happy that i got it to work completly that i dont need windows anymore!

 

Here is a link to my Xbench result. http://ladd.dyndns.org/xbench/merge.xhtml?doc1=140189

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Mr. Bond

Considering that 10.4.5 is more strict with regard to hardware, I'd go out on a limb and say maybe. Since I haven;t really tried this, we'd need someone to confirm. But still, 10.4.3 isn't broke, so why not just use that? You can still grab some 10.4.5 kexts if you need to, and everything runs great.

 

This reminds me of those black thursday laptops people were trying to get OS X to run on.

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