Llll is a hackintosh and how do you build it alone?

A Mac is the dream of every cutter and designer, but the acquisition costs often go beyond the existing budget. Many users therefore use an alternative in the form of a Windows PC, which you can achieve significantly cheaper with the same performance. But what many do not know: even on a computer done by itself, a macOS can be installed with a little dexterity. In this article, we will show you how you can create such «hackintosh» yourself. You will also find out what you need to consider when you choose a component and what advantages and disadvantages the replica has compared to a conventional Mac.

1. What is a hackintosh?

A hackintosh or hackmac include a computer with a PC hardware available on the market that is not sold by Apple, but still works with macOS. In this way you can determine which components you want to use for which budget.

2. Which components are suitable for a hackmac?

By default, MacOS does not support AMD processors, so you need to use an Intel CPU for your Hackintosh project. Although there is also the possibility of making AMD processors work with macOS, this requires large changes to the operating system. With an Intel CPU, however, it works without hitches even without adjustments.

However, choosing the right motherboard is a little more difficult. In general, the Gigabyte models work quite well, as they are also installed in the «real» Macs. In addition, many cards that support Ahci are also suitable. However, you don’t have to worry about the housing, the power supply, the memory, the graphic card and the rigid discs: these are completely irrelevant for the functioning of hackintosh. In addition, these components can obviously be easily updated later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cexjfwkzvu

Good to know: On the internet you will find a series of lists that provide an overview of the hardware in question for a hackmac. These are updated at regular intervals and are usually arranged according to the various expansion phases, so that from the entry-level computer to the high-end system such as MacBook Pro, you can select any device imaginable as a base.

3. Assembling a hackintosh

After choosing the hardware, they must first put them together on a computer. The assembly works similarly to the mutual one for the car -countered PC, so that you can easily access one of the numerous internet instructions. When installing the components, always make sure to assemble them correctly, To ensure optimal ventilation and access to plug connections.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqeegsjryi

When you have completely assembled your computer, you can already go directly to the business, or the installation of the operating system. The boot charger of a «normal» PC differs significantly from that of a Mac. For this reason, it is not possible to easily start the Mac OS X installing medium on your hackintosh, but you need to use third -party software.

3.1. Install macOS

The Unbeast free tool is available for download free of charge on the Hackmac Tonymacx86 portal (after the previous recording). This means that it is possible to create a USB start -up means of installation on a standard PC based on the original version of OS X Maverks, Sierra or Catalina purchased in the Apple Store. This also contains numerous drivers, for example for various graphic cards and USB ports.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sthaow3lfn0

Good to know: For the use of Unibeast, English must be activated as a macOS system language and the installation version of macOS 10.13 by the Mac app is completely available on the system. In addition, the USB lever used must have at least 8 GB of storage.

After starting the program, you get a brief description in English and you have to accept the license conditions. In the next step, define the means of destination and select the OS X version. Finally, Unibeast asks if it is a UEFI stick or the Legacy boat and indicates a summary of the chosen configuration. A click on «Continue“With the subsequent input of the administrative password, the installation finally begins.

Good to know: If the installation process stops, the system is probably not compatible with the OS X version selected. However, if only a few components (e.g. graphics, network or sound) are not supported, it is possible to install them using the «Multibeast» driver package. However, note that in general, not all PC components can also be managed under macOS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npollo6bivi

4. Hackintosh notebook

In principle, notebooks can also be implemented with hackintosh, However, implementation is much more difficult than the desktop. This is mainly due to the limited space, which makes it difficult to install the appropriate hardware or is also quite impossible.

The laptop models suitable for use as Hackintosh include HP Probook 4540s and Lenovo Ideapad U310. However, it is necessary to replace the wifi card for both devices before installation, as it cannot be managed with OS X.

Tipp: Based on how to build a do-it-yourself Mac mini, for example, you will find detailed instructions for the construction of a DIY mini. Another good contact point is also the Hackintosh forum.

5. The advantages and disadvantages of a hackmac at a glance

There are a series of reasons that speak for the construction of a hackintosh. One of the most surprising topics is certainly that you have the free choice for the hardware (with restrictions). So you can create exactly what you need from the laptop to the high -end computer without depending on Apple in any way.

At the same time, this also has a positive effect on costs. Because a complete hackintosh and a display usually only costs the fraction of a Mac with comparable performance. Another advantage: if the performance of your hackintosh no longer satisfy your needs over time, you can easily replace individual components with recent ones.

5.1. A Hackintosh has not only advantages

As with all projects, there are also some topics on the hackintosh contra-page. This includes, for example, the non -existing guarantee and everything -registration. Although the individual components each have their own guarantee and guarantee, but this does not exist for the system as a whole. Ergo is only available by individual producers.

In addition, you should obviously have a certain manual skill. Anyone who has never assembled a PC himself should most likely be overwhelmed by the project. In addition to the assembly, the configuration also presents many users a challenge. For example, audio requires separate settings and poor wifi reception via HDMI, sometimes you even have to improve with alternative antennas.

One of the major problems, however, represents the instability that occur. The cause of this is not the hardware, but the software itself. Updates are not easy to perform as on a «real» Mac and it may also be that your computer no longer works later. However, they cannot completely do without potential safety gaps or new functions. In addition, it may happen that FaceTime, iMessage and the news app do not work as desired on the reply system.

And, last but not less important, of course, time is also a factor that should not be underestimated. Some users report that many hours of work on the macOS terminal and sometimes several installations were also needed to successfully work hackmac. If you don’t feel like it from the beginning, you should rather keep your fingers away.

(40 votes, media: 4.10 out of 5)

Loading …