Filed under: Hardware, Hacks, Mods
Pictures of OS X 'mod-chip' EFi-X in the wild
In June, Mat wrote about the EFi-X, the internal USB-dongle that claims to allow a user to install OS X from a retail disc onto a non-Apple PC. Essentially the EFi-X is a mod-chip for certain Intel motherboards that will trick the Apple Retail discs into thinking that the hardware is Apple-sanctioned.The product was delayed several times, and there is some debate in the hackintosh community over the ethical bona fides of the device (because there are claims, unproven as far as I can tell, that the device uses technology developed by the community), not to mention its legality.
Well, there are now reports that the product is in the wild and in the hands of at least three users. In the InsanelyMac forum, two members have reportedly received the device. The first user, who took the time to take un-boxing pictures, has not had success getting the device to boot on an unsupported MSI board (this is the list of supported motherboards), but another member claims to have the device working on his ASUS board (also not supported) without any problems.
The Incomplete News Project also has some unboxing pictures, with testing results still to come.
The complicated legal circumstances surrounding this device likely means that anyone in the US may have to buy one from an international dealer, or more realistically, contact someone in one of those countries to purchase and then send them the dongle (much like the early mod-chip process for the original PSX, you know, not that I got my friend's brother to import one of those from Taiwan for me or anything *cough*).
This is an interesting device. If it works as claimed, it could be a cool product for hobbyist builders who want to dual-boot a truly stellar system without the limitations of a Mac Pro or iMac.
[via Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matthew said 11:55AM on 9-12-2008
I don't really think condoning this is a stand up thing to do. If we're going to be Apple supporters here, then let's support them unconditionally.
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Christina Warren said 12:00PM on 9-12-2008
I'm not condoning it -- I'm just not condemning it. It is what it is. I'd rather just by a Mac, but that the device is out there is interesting.
Christina Warren said 12:01PM on 9-12-2008
Err, "buy"
I can spell, I swear.
oZ said 12:11PM on 9-12-2008
"let's support them unconditionally"
what the hell
Matthew said 12:14PM on 9-12-2008
Well, I suppose if we are proponents of OS virtualization then it would only make sense to offer up the same praise for something like this.
But then Apple wouldn't sell a computer, just an OS.
Ok, I'm teetering now. Dang :-)
amazo said 1:08PM on 9-12-2008
theres a big diff b/w this and the early days of psx mods. one, this was developed as a side project out of the free time of a mod community, and then hijacked by psytar and these people.
2. as someone who actually put OSX on their pc, legitimately, and as someone who owns a real mac, i can say without a doubt that hackintosh will *never* replicate the full mac experience due to the bugs. it's really just like running Windows 95, but prettier. You'd be a complete idiot to actually use it for anything other than eye candy. (i.e. no real work)
painty said 1:51PM on 9-12-2008
"support them unconditionally"
LOL...what next...the pledge of allegiance for Apple?
Balls said 6:04PM on 10-30-2008
@amazeo: the guy who started the EFIX chip was one of the original modders in the OSX86 scene, so he's not stealing from anyone.
mmendoza27 said 12:13PM on 9-12-2008
Way to go Christina! I remember buying my PSX modchip from a store in North Star mall here in San Antonio, TX (kinda near the new Apple store) and they had imported games and everything! Yeah... that store... isn't there anymore. :(
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Christina Warren said 12:13PM on 9-12-2008
Yeah, our good import stores are gone too :-(
Chris said 2:42PM on 9-12-2008
Lik-Sang anyone?
Badr said 12:25PM on 9-12-2008
How much it costs?
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Pepe said 2:08PM on 9-12-2008
http://m2-services.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106&Itemid=127&lang=en
It seems quite expensive at 100 Euro plus 20 for shipping. That'd be $170 US. At least at this one store in Switzerland. Too much, just for a tinker thing.
MAXX POWER said 6:08PM on 9-12-2008
Look, I'm a big Apple fan. I own 3 Macs. I bought 2 more for my parents. BUT... Apple refuses to offer any mid-range solution. My needs far exceed what an iMac or Mini can provide and I'm not spending $2500+ for a MacPRo which is overkill. If Apple refuses to sell me a product in the mid-range I will continue to use OSX86. This EFI chip just makes things easier but it certainly won't stop me if Apple sues these guys out of business. (which is certainly their right and I'm not going to hold it against them if they do)
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Mr. Reeee said 8:59AM on 9-14-2008
Apple certainly need to offer a mid-range headless desktop machine. The MacPro is just plain too BIG and the mini is a JOKE. I don't want to use a glossy screen iMac, either.
I call it a Half-Mac Pro: same processor, 2 PCI slots, 2 drive bays + 1 optical, half the size or smaller. I could see something similar to the old Mac IIcx/ci or Mac LC pizza box machines.
Now I run a MacBook Pro, but would love a full-tilt desktop machine to augment it.
RHenley said 5:29PM on 9-12-2008
I have one, the price was 80 euros plus shipping - so it wasn't exactly cheap.
Since I run multiple OS's and support multiple computer configurations this seemed like an good idea. I was interested in it especially as OSX is the recommended development environment for the iPhone.
However it isn't quite working yet - with my unsupported setup. It may next week when I pick up a sata DVD drive ...
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p said 5:53PM on 9-12-2008
Time for apple to add more hardware (chips) to the mac. To stop this type of stuff going on.
Sent from iPhone
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bradmacpro said 4:55PM on 9-13-2008
"... truly stellar system without the limitations of a Mac Pro..." besides cost there are very few limitations. Maybe, not CPU upgradable.
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Christina Warren said 2:20PM on 9-14-2008
Well, yes and no. There are certain graphics cards that OS X won't recognize (and to use them in boot camp becomes kind of a chore) -- granted, this is a small niche group of users, but then, this device is also targeted to a small niche group. I personally would rather just get a Mac, but I can certainly see certain situations for certain individuals where something like this could be handy, or at the very least, interesting.
Mr. Reeee said 9:09AM on 9-14-2008
Aside from saying you did it, I don't get it.
People complain that Macs are too expensive, then try to install Mac OS X on some ugly POS alien hardware (see picture above), then complain that there aren't compatible drivers and it's buggy?
To solve the "problem" they spend a bunch of money to replace hardware components, or even buy some $200 hack-dongle?
So, after going through all these gymnastics and gyrations, what does it cost at the end of the proverbial day?
Oh, and apparently your TIME is worth NOTHING.
It seems really dumb.
Save time money and hassle and buy a Mac. If you're worried about money, get one used. Either way, OS X will run like it's supposed to and you'll be able to run all those other OSes, too.
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