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March 25th, 2010 @ The Royal Garden Hotel, London
The third annual PCR Awards is set to be the social event of the year for anyone involved in the PC retail sector, and a well deserved celebration for the nominees.
DOE
Gatwick
I'm well aware that most of my readers are actually Windows resellers who are considering a venture into the minefield of selling Apple computers, so here's one for all of you.
I'm well aware that most of my readers are actually Windows resellers who are considering a venture into the minefield of selling Apple computers, so here's one for all of you. Did you hear the one about the Apple computer that ran Windows faster than its arch-enemy, the PC? You didn't? Well you're likely to be hearing a lot more about this one, because apparently it's true.
When Apple shipped the current Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard last year, the improvements under the hood included enhancements to Boot Camp, the Mac OS kernel that allows installation of Windows XP or Vista (and also Windows 7 when it ships) onto a Mac, and then lets the Mac boot-up as a Windows PC. But there are an increasing number of reports that a Mac running Leopard's Boot Camp and Windows actually out-performs any equivalent-spec PC.
DELL PUTS ON A MAC
I think I'll leave this thought-provoking statement hanging for a month and return to it in the next issue with more details. But in the meantime, did you hear the one about the Dell Mini Netbooks that run Mac OS X? You didn't? The Dell Mini 7 and 9 (and probably the 10 also) can be easily modified with a small software download, which allows the user to install and run Apple's Mac OS X v10.5. And it runs very well, too. Although this is actually quite old news, there's an interesting aside to this that could have major implications.
APPLE'S APPROVAL
The question that begs asking in light of that is why is Apple are allowing this? The software download comes from Dell itself – not some small independent 'hackintosh' developer, and full instructions are available via Dell's website. It's very unlikely Apple would allow this without approving it, and there's no Apple alternative to Dell's excellent 'Mini' series of netbooks – not yet, anyway.
But at the same time, Apple is preparing to do battle with three very small clone makers who have got Mac OS X running on Wintel hardware using a similar software modification to Dell's. So if Dell is allowed to broadcast the fact you can run the Mac OS on its netbooks via its website, I have a feeling that the legal teams for the clone makers will be watching developments very closely.
Okay, I can't find the files you speak of on Dell's website. With a link to them you would have a blockbuster story, but since I can't find corroboration, I'm not sure I believe you.
Hi J,
The file that Robert refers to is called a Type11 Bootloader.
Unfortunately, the process of putting OSX on to a Dell Mini is frowned upon by Apple, so neither PCR nor Dell will provide a link.
It's out there though - Google is your friend.
Matt Grainger
Dell is not selling computers 'with' os x installed, thus he's not breaking any copyright law as the clone makers are.
WTF dude..... how can you make claims about stuff on Dell's website that are not really there. OK.... maybe in the forums - but that's all I can find.
Dell did make a series of net books with Mac OS X compatible hardware. Dell may have written the Type11 Bootloader and anonymously released it on the net with instructions on how to load Mac OS X on Dell net books.
That is not what you said in the blog article. You implied that Apple is allowing Dell to blatantly sell computers for people to load the Mac OS on them and providing the link to the software to do so.
Dell's hands are clean on this venture. There are no links on the Dell site. The Dell net books all have a somewhat viable OS on them when they leave the factory. The OS on them is not the Mac OS.
There is no one to take to court over these Dell Hackintoshes. That's why Apple has done nothing.
"The software download comes from Dell itself"
This is not accurate. The software comes from independent users who've created it. Although you can find links to these hacks on Dell's forums, the software doesn't come from Dell.
Maybe Apple decided to sue the smaller pockets cloners to see how it would come out, or to set a precedence since Dell could put up a larger defense..
There is no link or instructions of how to install OS X on Dell's website.
The mini-9 has been discontinued, but the 10v will work as well because the video architecture (Intel's GMA 950) is the same as one of Apple's official offerings -- the other two Mini-10's do NOT work.
I suspect he's referring to the "mydellmini" forums that I used to install 10.5.7 -- instructions, links, and troubleshooting are being done by end-users, not Dell.
While I've learned to NEVER say never in this industry (I was wrong about Apple's jump to Intel, for example!), I seriously doubt that Apple will ever sell a generic PC install.
'nuff said.
It's hard to take this writer seriously when he says things like "The software download comes from Dell itself – not some small independent 'hackintosh' developer, and full instructions are available via Dell's website."
This is absolutely incorrect.
I think its a great thought provoking idea and concept, but in my opinion, this guy loses all credibility.
No question begged if Dell doesn't sell the Mac OS X installs and doesn't pre install the OS on it's PC's. The small clone vendor is selling systems preloaded with OS X.
Also the software used to install the mac OS is open source so Apple has no ties to it. If Dell preloaded their PC with OS X then that would be a different story all together!
First if you want to install Mac OS on a PC your on your own. Neither Apple nor Dell will help you. As someone else stated above Google will be your friend.
Second The article says some of the readers would want to sell Macs. Fat chance. . Apple is doing away with small dealers and going to company stores and big chains.
Hi folks,
This article is an opinion piece and as such should be treated so, but on the other hand it isn't the ranting of some crazed tech journo either!
This article is from the head of the Mac Technology Association, Robert Peckham, reporting rumours of a way to install OSX on a Dell PC and speculating as to why Apple has not acted to prevent it.
For all those who are saying the article is untrue because they can't find a link on the Dell website, I can't post URL's here but look on the MyDellMini forums or just Google 'osx dell mini.'
Admittedly, its not on Dell's frontpage but then that was never the point of the article.
Regards,
Matt Grainger,
Staff Writer,
PCR
Apple is a hardware company, ie. they make their money selling hardware. Apple's OS and other software helps sell Macs, iPods, iPhones, etc.
Apple's business model has never been more successful. Unlike Dell, they don't *just* sell hardware, so they don't get swept into price wars. They are not like Microsoft, who is still largely a software company, and who apparently makes most of their money from proprietary file formats, ie. Office.
For once, Apple has the best of both worlds: selling hardware with great software that is tailored to their hardware - which is why it works.
The idea that Apple would throw that away because some PC users mistakenly think they need more choice of components, or *ought* to pay the same for a well engineered solution like a BMW as they would for a kit car made out the cheapest components known to humanity, is wishful thinking bordering on psychosis. Like any company.
