Mac or Hack

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I'm looking at a Mac Mini for my new home office.  The needs aren't huge, music production, photo editing, maybe a LITTLE video but nothing huge.  My budget is ?500, so for that I could get the entry level Mac Mini (http://store.apple.com/uk/buy-mac/mac-mini?product=MD387B/A&step=config)

 

HOWEVER

 

I could get a hackintosh such as this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bitfenix-Prodigy-Custom-Intel-Core-i5-Haswell-Hackintosh-Box-/181270849442

 

Can I ask without bias (and any "Get a windows PC / linux / whatever will simply be reported") which is most suitable and moreover why?  I mean, is a Hackintosh likely to have issues with software updates?

 

Thank you

[Mr.XXIV]

I bought the entry Mac Mini, you're better off with that. One thing you will love about having the natural setup of the Mac is if anything happens to it, if you're gonna end up needing a new drive, it has a recovery built into it, so you can install a new Mac from the internet. Plus you can install Windows and Linux on the side. It's a lot less stressful this way than doing a Hackintosh IMO. Another thing is, in the long run, you can work up 16GB of RAM and an additional SSD/HDD when you have the chance.

 

Personally, I'm against Hackintosh, but it's all about what you're most comfortable with in the end.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I looked at the cost of 16gb of Ram on the Apple site... Crazy expensive.  Can I not just use OEM?

[Auditor]

I will say get a hackintosh. You can beat the price almost half by using hardware which are compatible with Mac. Mainly get intel based PC. I have installed Maverick on almost 6 year old desktop on quadcore intel processor and it works flawlessly. I had to get TP-link wireless card though for compatibility. I even upgraded it to SSD and everything working flawlessly. There are many online forum where you can get all the required program to make your own hackintosh. It is very simple and straightforward. I have HP m8120n desktop and everything works without any hitch.

 

The best thing will be you will have much flexibility for future hardware updates with custom built PC rather than getting mini where everything is propriety.

[The_Observer]

Is this your first hackintosh or have you done others?? only ask cause if something happens, do you know how to fix it, or where to get help fixing it. Have had hackintosh machines in the past myself and enjoyed learning everything.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

The best thing will be you will have much flexibility for future hardware updates with custom built PC rather than getting mini where everything is propriety.

 

As long as it's compatible...

[macoman]

If you are really interested in a hackintosh why you don't check insanelymac which can give you a tutorial of the best machines to set it up.

[winrez]

You can use OEM RAM, I would also recommended a Mini over the Hackintosh route, you will be happier in the long run.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Is this your first hackintosh or have you done others?? only ask cause if something happens, do you know how to fix it, or where to get help fixing it. Have had hackintosh machines in the past myself and enjoyed learning everything.

 

It wouldn't be my first, but the others I bought hardware that was specified in a tutorial and followed it.  Never applied updates etc - and to be fair, it wasn't the best experience (dual monitor never worked, for example, had to use an external soundcard)...

 

I don't want to use this for "learning" or "tinkering" - it is to be my daily computer I use for tasks.  When a software update comes out, I want to be able to apply it and carry on working - not worry about "Oh damn, my soundcard no longer works" and so on.

[+Warwagon MVC]

You can use OEM RAM, I would also recommended a Mini over the Hackintosh route, you will be happier in the long run.

 

Yep that way you don't have to be worried every time you install an update that the thing will boot back up.

[Auditor]

As long as it's compatible...

You are right. you need to do cost benefit analysis of time spent in finding compatible hardware and the money you will be saving by using non Apple over priced hardware. Overall how many times in future you really plan to upgrade. You can still buy hardware which can be still provide good performance for over 4-5 years.

[Brian M. Veteran]

It really depends what's more important to you.

 

If you get a hackintosh, you'll have to faff with drivers after most .x updates, and there's no guarantee that any update won't kill it completely. You're also on your own with any issues. If this is your main machine, or a work machine - I would *not* do this.

 

With a "real" Mac, updates will apply no problem, if anything goes wrong (hardware or software wise) you have Apple's support. You can use non-apple RAM, and a non-apple SSD if you want to.

 

If budget is an issue, keep an eye on the refurb store. They're good as new (I argue that they go through a better QA process and I've never seen a DOA refurb ;)) - and you'll either save a few ?? or get a better spec for your money.

[123456789A]

I would say get a real Mac, but I've had so many hardware issues with them that maybe building your own might be a better option. You can provide your own service and support that way.

 

The "Hackintosh" community seems to be pretty active, so as long as you don't mind waiting a little while before getting the latest OS update, you should be fine.

 

On the other hand, if you really like Apple's design style, get a real one.

[Symal Taneous]

if you go on tonymacx86.com, they have a buyer's guide that lists different parts that are known to be natively supported (or supported with very little configuration) that you can buy to build your own hackintosh. They also have a good forum so you can get help with your build. They also have programs that will make setting up your hackintosh a lot easier.

 

In my own experience of building a hackintosh, updates are a breeze as well, almost the same as an actual Mac.

[srbeen]

You pay the apple tax for convenience. If you don't want any hiccups, headaches, kext issues, or possible software pains down the road your best bet is to shell out for the mini. I will mention apple tend to go heavy on QA, so their gear always seem to work correctly out of the box.

 

Hackintoshes are that. Hacked together OS variants that 'work' on non-apple issued hardware. If you want to hack and don't mind spending an hour or 5 researching and fixing a problem that would have never occured on a real mac, then by all means hack away. The mini is tiny, its quiet, affordable, and power efficient. People buy them and use them to build server arrays as they offer the most bang per sq inch of space, costs aside.

 

Do note that a fair amount of minis are in 'server chassis' and will support 2x 2.5" HDDs. Adapters for a lot of models can be found on eBay.

[Astra.Xtreme]

I think you should buy the Mini and upgrade the RAM yourself.  Maybe even put in a SSD.  It will just be much more convenient than having to mess with the kexts and all that crap.

 

Plus Apple stuff retains value well, so you'll be able to sell it down the line and get a reasonable amount of money back.  I have the 2009 Mini and can still sell it for $250-300, which is pretty crazy considering it's 5 years old.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I think this thread has confirmed that I will get an Apple Mac Mini.  I've just watched some videos on installing OEM ram (and not paying Apple's ridiculous prices).  I'd probably swap out the HDD for an SDD too as I don't need storage space (NAS).

 

Thank you to all who contributed.  And for the record, my Dell Mini 10v is a hackintosh, which I DID enjoy tinkering with, I simply no longer have the time or inclination to do so.

 

Thanks

[Brian M. Veteran]

I think this thread has confirmed that I will get an Apple Mac Mini.  I've just watched some videos on installing OEM ram (and not paying Apple's ridiculous prices).  I'd probably swap out the HDD for an SDD too as I don't need storage space (NAS).

 

Thank you to all who contributed.  And for the record, my Dell Mini 10v is a hackintosh, which I DID enjoy tinkering with, I simply no longer have the time or inclination to do so.

 

Thanks

 

Swapping out the ram on the new minis is a 2 minute job. Twist the bottom plate off and it comes right out.

The older ones were absolute you know whats (palette knives and broken clips in abundance!).

[Mandosis]

That is a good choice. In my experience hackintosh computers are a pain.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

As a hackintosh user for many years now, I would say it is very fun and easy to do, but not for everyone. When I started out making them it was very messy and a fun learning experience. I wouldn't think twice about making another because I consider myself a seasoned user now who could tackle most hurdles.

 

Saying that, if you rely on this computer for work or don't have time to deal with it as a hobby, stick to the real thing.

[Ironman273]

I had a hackintosh. It was interesting and I learned some stuff but come update time you rolled the dice whether it would accept it or if it was time to start messing with kexts and drivers.  I have heard that there are hackintoshes now that basically mimic a Mac so there are no concerns with upgrades but I don't remember where I saw it and I can't find it right now.

[Boo Berry]

I boot Mac OS X alongside Windows and Ubuntu, and I can't say I've had many problems, mainly incompatible hardware. For example my sound card won't work in Mac so I purchased a USB DAC. Another example is the 780 Ti I have crashes when opening any program that requires OpenCL (Safari, Adobe programs, etc. There's a hack that disables OpenCL for cards, which isn't preferred.

 

Other than that, I do recommend hackintoshes if your hardware's compatible.

[#Michael]

Just as a fyi and sidenote, the mini never got an upgrade in 2013 and is very much due for an update in 2014.  Rumor has it that it will see an update come March when the iMacs get their annual update.  If you can wait you might want to.

[PNWDweller]

Having gone from PC to MAC to PC again then I tried a Hackintosh build. 

 

I can speculate that if you have ever owned a MAC and then go to PC then to Hackintosh, you will dump the Hackintosh like I did fast.  The reason for that is while the "Frankenmac" that I had worked well, it simply did not feel the same to me.  It wasn't as fluid, had some minor issues and just wasn't the same for me. 

 

With that said, probably with the right hardware setup, you could do it, but I know that once I get some spare $$ saved up, I'll be plunking it down for a Mini in the future since I have a nice IPS 23" monitor which is beautiful with any OS.  (I run Win 8.1 and Linux on it).  :)

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Now I just need to wait for the supposed hardware refresh :)