Filed under: Hardware, OS, Hacks
Mac OS X on a HP Touchsmart (kind of)
Here's a video and setup instructions for getting Mac OS X to run on a HP TouchSmart. The machine's main feature, of course, is the touch screen. It kind of works with OS X in that elements respond to touch, but the calibration is way off and, as the guy in the video says, there's no way to adjust it. He does offer to test out any other aspect of OS X on the Touchsmart, so speak up.
The setup instructions were written for a HP TouchSmart IQ507 and do require you do "grab a torrent" as the kids say. It doesn't look too tricky, though. The author notes that audio, the wireless card, Bluetooth and the TV Tuner won't work under OS X.
Still, it could be a fun project for anyone who's got a spare Touchsmart lying around. Don't we all?
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Leo said 1:59PM on 11-05-2008
This reminds me of when I installed OSX on my MSI Wind. It seems like this is a nice project but if you can't switch out the hardware it doesn't seem very useful but still somewhat cool with the touch capabilities.
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John said 2:04PM on 11-05-2008
I installed OS X on my Toshiba a few years back. I was shocked how well it ran, the only thing that didn't work was the wireless. That was a deal killer for me.
I have a MacBook Pro now, and I find it difficult for me to even go back to windows sometimes. If you like the OS so much get a Mac, they're not as "overpriced" as everyone thinks. You do get what you pay for. The thing that's overpriced with them is some of their components (ie: Memory).
Installing Mac OS on a system where nothing works is just a waste of time to me.
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sam said 2:09PM on 11-05-2008
Looks pretty cool. Just a tip though: the "X" in "OS X" is a roman numeral, not a letter. The operating system is called "OS TEN"
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Tyler McCamant said 2:35PM on 11-05-2008
i am so glad someone pointed that out
sam said 2:12PM on 11-05-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko4V3G4NqII
There's a video if you don't believe me...
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Rob Roark said 2:18PM on 11-05-2008
Every time I see the commercials for these things, I think how they're screaming "Put Leopard on me!" Glad to see its possible, no matter how kludgy it ends up running.
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Ariel said 2:25PM on 11-05-2008
CHANGE THE WALLPAPER!!!
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Phil said 2:44PM on 11-05-2008
you know the misscalculation may be down to the incorrect resolution, and fixing the screen res may actually fix your problem
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fredaow said 2:56PM on 11-05-2008
I agree with Phil: I would believe that the touch screen issue will go away if you figure out a way to set the resolution to the screen "native" resolution. Please keep us posted with your progress, that's pretty cool!
Aaron Nelsen said 4:25PM on 11-05-2008
That thought did occur to me, however under Windows the touchscreen function works fine no matter what the resolution.
SonyUX said 3:22PM on 11-05-2008
http://www.touch-base.com/ will create a driver for your touch screen controller that will allow you to calibrate it. Chances are that fixing the resolution will not fix your problem.... I had to install a driver from these guys to fix my touch screen issues... Problem is they charge an arm and a leg, but the demos will give you a working proof of concept and last up to 50 "taps".
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Robert said 3:28PM on 11-05-2008
I wish I was cool so I could call it OS EX too.
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Squid7085 said 5:29PM on 11-05-2008
I am surprised Apple wasn't the first on this whole thing. I mean, bring the iPhone touch knowledge to a desktop. In my opinion, "Touch" is the future of computing, replacing the mouse. Apple needs to get it started. The problem is that Windows is not "yet" designed from the ground up to take advantage of the TouchSmart abilities. Apple could make a truly amazing machine, they know how to do touch, bring it full scale!
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sam said 6:09PM on 11-05-2008
Touch definitely has its place, but I can't imagine sitting and using a computer all day via a touch interface. Your arms would get tired pretty quick. It makes more sense if it's a table-type device or the starship enterprise.
Fernando said 7:16PM on 11-05-2008
I currently am running OS X 10.5.4 Kalyway build at my work on my Dell Optiplex 755 with a C2D 2.6 with 3GB of RAM and everything works on it and it's super fast too. I have a 24" iMac at home and I love to be using OS X at work now. My reason for doing it is because I cannot stand Windows anymore now that I live an iLife :) Still have to run Fusion though for SQL Server, Netbackup and VMWare Virtual Center. But I know that sooner then later this will not be a problem anymore.
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Frank Tinsley said 1:52AM on 11-06-2008
Weeeird... I just happen to actually have a spare HP TouchSmart IQ770... sitting here on my desk... GET YOUR CAMERAS OUT OF MY ROOM TUAW!!!
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Brian said 3:58PM on 11-06-2008
"The author notes that audio, the wireless card, Bluetooth and the TV Tuner won't work under OS X." ?????
No offense, but to me Mac OS X is not that good an OS to go through all these troubles !!! A computer without audio??? C'mon!!
http://www.livbit.com
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czPopi said 6:18PM on 11-13-2008
Brian: OS X runs great on supported HW - Apple computers, not on unsupported HW (as the HP here).
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jeesusfreek said 3:49AM on 11-15-2008
what a dumbass comment.
somehow linux + windows can install on HUGE ranges of hardware and work perfectly 99% of the time, but Mac only provides for it's hardware.
that, my friend, is what i call getting screwed up the ass when you go to pay for hardware, repairs, and upgrades.
after all, individual component upgrade is the reason I've been a systems builder for 10 years. also the reason that I dual-boot XP MCE 2005 and Kubuntu 8.10.