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Confirmed: 10.6.2 removes Atom CPU support from Snow Leopard

by TJ Luoma Nov 9th 2009 at 11:00PM

A report by "stellarola" quoted in OSNews confirms what comments on our 10.6.2 post suggested: 10.6.2 removes support for Atom processors, most frequently found in "netbook" computers. This loss of Atom support was spotted in earlier builds, but nobody knew until now whether it'd be in or out in the final configuration.

Is this Apple clamping down on "hackintosh" computers, or just continuing to prune code that it doesn't need? The answer you prefer likely depends on your previous view of Apple.

If you think Apple is a company desperate to keep control over its operating system, you point to Psystar and the ongoing iTunes/Palm Pre compatibility battle, and this is just more wood for the fire. If you think that Psystar is nuts for thinking it has a case against Apple and think that Palm should hire its own programmers to sync its devices, then you're likely to say that Atom processors were never really supported in the first place, so it's all much ado about nothing.

Either way, I wouldn't expect the OSx86 community to pack up its bags and go home. I am sure that there are several folks already at work to find a workaround for this latest hurdle, and I won't be surprised when the announcement comes that they have a solution. The only real "blow" is to those folks who were previously able to install an unmodified version of OS X onto their netbooks. I was able to get 10.5.6 running on my Asus EEE 1000ha using my regular Leopard DVD and some additional drivers/kext files, but it broke again with 10.5.7 and I was never able to get it or 10.6 to work. I gave up and installed Windows 7 on it instead -- put down those pitchforks!

The removal of Atom support does not necessarily indicate anything about the fabled Mac "Tablet" since Apple could use the ARM processor instead. Or Apple could continue to say what they've said, which is (roughly speaking) that the iPhone/iPod touch is their netbook.

One thing is for sure; this move will do nothing to end any of these debates, but if you are using a netbook or other hackintosh, let me tell you what you've probably already learned: don't be too quick to install the latest operating system updates from Apple.

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A report by "stellarola" quoted in OSNews confirms what comments on our 10.6.2 post suggested: 10.6.2 removes support for Atom processors,...
 

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jonwil2002

Assuming Apple still releases kernel source for their OS's, someone can compare 10.6.1 and 10.6.2 kernels and see what changed. From there a modified recompiled kernel or a kext or something may solve it.

November 10 2009 at 7:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mikko

It would be nice to know has Apple also dropped DVD movie support from Snow Leopard?

I have a iMac and my friend has MacBook Pro and we both have same problems Mac not recognizing some DVD movies (retail) that worked fine before. Anyone else?

November 10 2009 at 6:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gage

I have been running 10.6.2 on my 10v for over a week, its a simple kernel swap. I wish the people that wrote all these articles would do some research....

November 10 2009 at 12:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John

It's not that hard to fix, just upgrade to 10.6.2, and downgrade your mach_kernel to version 10.6.1...fixed......

November 10 2009 at 10:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to John's comment
Rob

That may be a good short term fix. But as more and more security exploits are found in this old kernel, you will have to decide whether it is worth the risk to keep running this old kernel on your netbook.

I suspect many will decide to switch to Windows 7 or Linux.

November 10 2009 at 6:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ivandoga

If this is true, it is a shame, I have three nieces that I am trying to introduce macs and pc together as they are educated. But I can not afford, or in good concuss give a nine year old a thousand dollar macbook, I have no problem letting them use a three hundred dollar netbook, If Apple does cripple OSX on netbooks, then windows seven will be our only option.

November 10 2009 at 10:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to ivandoga's comment
Rob

There is also Linux. I would take Linux over Windows 7 any day.

November 10 2009 at 5:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vandil

This is where the true enthusiasts are separated from the wannabees that set up their netbooks using an online tutorial.

True enthusiasts live life on the edge, expecting these kinds of setbacks and have the technical skills to deal with the problem or the patience to wait for a reasonable fix to be developed by others.

Wannabees suddenly have a useless machine and they cry on forums until Lifehacker updates their tutorial for them and holds their hand.

Apple only needs to support the hardware they ship, nothing else. Wanna use Apple software on non-Apple hardware? Grow a pair and learn to deal with both the good and the bad of hackintoshing.

November 10 2009 at 9:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eideard

You lot really don't know crap about business, do you?

And the commenters are just as bad.

November 10 2009 at 8:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian

Now that is naughty - sending people to a weight loss page. You are indeed a spammer. Be gone..... {This post is in reply to a spam post which did pretend to be about Atom support but was not. That post has been deleted. Sorry for any confusion -TUAW}

November 10 2009 at 7:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cooperc

The current workaround is to run the 10.6.2 update but revert to the 10.6.1 kernel:

see: http://www.meklort.com/?p=111#comments

November 10 2009 at 1:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to cooperc's comment
Joseph

http://lifehacker.com/5400897/our-hackintosh-works-like-a-charm-with-1062-update-atom+based-hacks-break

November 10 2009 at 12:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Joseph's comment
ooskinnykidoo

"Update: I thought we were pretty clear in the text above, but we're only talking about our Hackintosh build. It looks like Atom CPUs (like the ones in most hacked netbooks) are not supported in 10.6.2 as previously speculation suggested."

November 10 2009 at 8:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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