Cheapest and best hardware for a hackintosh

[#Michael]

I am really looking for hone my mac skills and really learn the lion and lion server. I own a mac mini with lion server and I want to really learn how to create an open directory, connect to domain, etc...

So, I am thinking of trying to pick up rather cheaply a couple of computers that can handle either snow leopard or lion...non server. What would be the best hardware for this....a laptop or desktop? Is that dell mini 10 still available somewhere?

[Arceles]

many intel boards are supported as far as I know, in this case you really have to avoid amd because most of their chipsets are not supported in OS X

[fusi0n]

you could also try to install in vmware..

[.Neo]

Just buy any ?300 PC at one of those bigger supermarket chain stores, wipe Windows off it, install ElementaryOS and you're all set to go! :p

[#Michael]

you could also try to install in vmware..

I could do vmware but that takes up resources. I'd rather have a physical separate computer.

@Aeceles - I suppose I could build one but I rather not. What pre-built ones can I use?

[.Neo]

I could do vmware but that takes up resources. I'd rather have a physical separate computer.

If it's just for learning purposes why would you go through all that trouble? A virtualized environment is more than enough in your case. In any case I'd give it a shot, if it really does't suit you you can always choose to buy a dedicated computer for it.

I'm confused though... You say you already own a Mac mini, why do you need a second "Mac"? :/ If you don't want to fiddle around with your existing installation simply install a second OS X Lion copy on an external HDD.

[remixedcat]

+1 for vmware. it's very easy and vmware player is free and it may work.

even purchasing vmware workstation is cheaper then buying a dedicated system for it. workstation runs around 200 USD.... building a hackintosh ready system is around 800-1500 for a decent system.

[#Michael]

If it's just for learning purposes why would you go through all that trouble? A virtualized environment is more than enough in your case. In any case I'd give it a shot, if it really does't suit you you can always choose to buy a dedicated computer for it.

I'm confused though... You say you already own a Mac mini, why do you need a second "Mac"? :/

Here is my reasoning for it, I just finished setting up the mini is in the following:

1. One login for a media server

2. One login for a small consulting business and remote support

3. One login for general computing

I have the dns and all of the network settings configured already. So I was looking for a couple of physical computers that can be played with so those settings can be matched to the server. The problem with using vmware on the server is that it is tasked with other uses already and I am not sure I want to do that.

[remixedcat]

what are the specs on the HOST system???

[#Michael]

what are the specs on the HOST system???

I knew someone would ask that. The mac mini specs:

core i7 2.7 ghz

8 gb ram

500 gb hd

airport extreme router connected to comcast at 25/5

8 port managed switch

[Grinch]

I know Gigabyte is probably the best motherboard to go with for a hackintosh thanks to Kakewalk. Makes my life so much easier.

[alexalex]

Build a Hackintosh Mac for Under $800

http://lifehacker.com/321913/build-a-hackintosh-mac-for-under-800

[Order_66]

CustoMac builds http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/search/label/CustoMac

[remixedcat]

I knew someone would ask that. The mac mini specs:

core i7 2.7 ghz

8 gb ram

500 gb hd

airport extreme router connected to comcast at 25/5

8 port managed switch

should be enough to run a couple basic instances. might be slow.... but not recommended, doable, but would be a little slow if you wanted to be heavy with the usage. however it's really easy to manage.not very many hassles and you can snapshot the OSes and everything with vmware workstation.

[#Michael]

should be enough to run a couple basic instances. might be slow.... but not recommended, doable, but would be a little slow if you wanted to be heavy with the usage. however it's really easy to manage.not very many hassles and you can snapshot the OSes and everything with vmware workstation.

Remember that workstation is for windows and linux. For os x, it is vmware fusion. If I go that route I am really thinking of maxing out to 16gb ram and at least 1tb hd. That should go better for a vm route.

[remixedcat]

Remember that workstation is for windows and linux. For os x, it is vmware fusion. If I go that route I am really thinking of maxing out to 16gb ram and at least 1tb hd. That should go better for a vm route.

vmware fusion is 50 bucks. not too bad of a price ;-) that plus the hardware would be around 200-400.

[bdsams Veteran]

Take a look at netbooks, I had a HP Mini 311 +a wifi chip would put you around 400 to build a machine that is relatively easy to hackentosh.

[#Michael]

I am actually thinking that I can get a base model core i3 mini from macmall for about $550. That would fit my needs perfectly. Might look into that at some point.

[ZeroSeven]

I built a machine back in 2008 with the following specs: Gigabyte G31M-S2L board with 4gb RAM, Intel Core2Quad Q6600 and at the time it had an old ATI X1900 graphics card. Today the same box has an ATI 4670 graphics card, 4 new hard drives and runs Mac OS X Lion 10.7.3. I didn't use any of the custom installers that many hackintoshers use, I installed from the App Store copy of Lion I bought when this machine ran 10.6.8. This hardware works great as a hackintosh, and with my bootloader mods it doesn't require any mods or hacks to the OS at all, its all native Apple and updates without issue from Software Update.

If I were building a machine today, I would definitely always go Intel.. thats a must for good hackintosh setup. Also I recommend Gigabyte boards they are generally more compatible and only require very minor DSDT tweaks (part of the bootloader) to allow the OS to see all your hardware correctly. For graphics you can go either ATI or Nvidia though personally Im an ATI man. But ATI cards can be harder to get working on OS X, depending on the model you get.