What is a hackintosh? He is OSx86, Hackintosh. This is one of the projects that is associated with the launch of the "apple" macOS operating system on personal computers with x86 architecture processors. In the article, we will analyze in detail not only the step-by-step instructions for installing Hackintosh, but also the features of the OS, important factors that you need to know about before installation, and the requirements of this system.
How it all began ...
The possibility of installing Hackintosh appeared among users of "non-apple" computers in 2005. Apple Corporation and announced its transition from PowerPC to x86 platform. Then already at the level of "iron" "Maki" did not differ much from computers with "Windows".
At that moment, entire teams of hackers began their long and painstaking work to create their own assemblies of "apple" operating systems, which in the future could be installed on any computers that are suitable for technical specifications.
Initially, the general list of hardware that could theoretically support the Hackintosh was very scarce. But Apple has worked in this direction. Various components began to be used to support the system. Keksts (peculiar analogues of drivers) were developed, allowing to run popular modules.
But the first attempts to install Hackintosh were associated with big problems:
- The need for a full upgrade.
- Record of various assemblies on special two-layer optical discs.
- The need to select kexts for each of the components of the system.
- Constant occurrence of problems during the operation of the OS.
- It is difficult to achieve stable operation on the usual "system".
Users also noted some advantages. Something like this: an easy and pleasant (after Windows) interface of the operating system, no need to install a number of applications, a system registry (which protected the OS from viruses).
Current state of affairs
What about today? Today, installing Hackintosh on a personal computer is no longer a problem. Almost any user can assemble a suitable system unit for this version of the "apple" OS. Moreover, it became possible to use components that are ideally suited for Hackintosh - the same ones that are used for Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Pro.
Among computer enthusiasts, the practice of installing Hackintosh is wide enough. The OS is popular in that for a lower price it allows you to get a computer that can be compared in performance to the "Mac".
Hackintosh and laptops
Separately, we can single out a group of users who want to install Hackintosh from under Windows on laptops whose contents are not so easy to assemble to your liking. Such enthusiasts can be divided into two categories:
- OS is installed for development. As you know, writing applications and programs for iOS, MacOS using Windows is practically impossible. In addition, working on a virtual machine here will have a number of significant limitations.
- OS is installed to save. The user wants to get a laptop on the "apple" OS, while not wasting money on an expensive "MacBook".
What do we have in the end? The first group of users here is practically unlimited in choosing a laptop model, since the inoperability of one or a pair of components is not afraid of them. Why a programmer, for example, a webcam or a printer connection? Only those options that allow you to write applications for the "apple" technology are important to him.
But as for the second category of enthusiasts, they need to pay close attention to choosing a laptop in order to be able to “get hardware” on the device. However, even the result of the most thorough and finest selection will not be possible to have a laptop that can fully work with graphics, mount "heavy" video files. While there is no way to normally "get" a discrete graphics card.
Thus, installing a Hackintosh from a USB flash drive is only good for a desktop computer. In this case, you will have the opportunity of photo and video editing no worse than on the "Mac".
Choosing a laptop for Hackintosh
So, you are interested in installing Hackintosh on a laptop. Which device is suitable for this? To make Hakintosh run smoothly on the device, experts recommend choosing one of two models:
- ASUS Vivobook X-Series.
- ACER Swift 3.
The parameters of both models can flexibly adapt to the Hackintosh. But pay attention to the cost of such a laptop - it will not be lower than 65 thousand rubles.
Comparison with the MacBook
But, according to user reviews, the result will please you more than the purchase of 13-inch "Macs" for 90-140 thousand rubles! Do not forget that when you purchase Asus or Acer, you will also receive a large set of various ports (which MacBooks still cannot boast of). In addition, your device will not have a controversial touchpad, which has already managed to collect a lot of negative reviews from the owners.
The most important plus is the availability of discrete graphics. It will work perfectly under the traditional Windows. For example, in the case of "heavy" video games and the creation of video clips.
If you choose a laptop specifically for development, there are much more possibilities. Your choice can be both a gaming machine and an ultrabook. Most importantly, compliance with the processor requirements of the device. As practice shows, everything else is solved.
What might not start?
Are you ready to install the Hackintosh Sierra? Please note that the following components may not start on the new OS on the computer:
- Video card As we already mentioned, it’s better not to count on discrete graphics if you plan to install Hackintosh. It's easier to turn it off right away. However, it is best to dwell on a model with integrated graphics.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Yes, unfortunately, this important module is at risk. However, the problem is solved: changing the internal board or buying an external USB block. Suitable modules, by the way, are not expensive at all and start in 10-15 minutes.
- Card Reader The memory card slot is already problematic to replace. The probability that the “native” will start is 50/50. If it is important for you, it’s important to dwell on a model that is fully compatible with Hackintosh in this parameter.
- Type-C and HDMI. If these modules have a specific connection scheme, then their cooperation with Hackintosh may be in jeopardy.
- Touchpad. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to achieve that amazing smoothness of work that is observed on the MacBooks. Moreover, in some cases, the touchpad refuses to start at all. The only way out of the problem for the user is to buy Magic Mouse or Apple Trackpad.
- Webcam. We note immediately that this type of problem is quite rare. But in some cases, the module connection scheme does not allow it to work with the "apple" OS.
What will be guaranteed to work at Hackintosh?
There are no problems with installing the Hackintosh High Sierra on your computer with the following:
- Keyboard launch in conjunction with a digital block.
- Correct immersion of the system in "sleep mode" and exit from it.
- Correct display of laptop battery power.
- Great work display, processor, drive.
- ICloud, iMessage, FaceTime, Handoff function without problems.
- Applications from the App Store are freely downloaded, information is exchanged through the cloud.
Hardware requirements
Before you install Hackintosh on a PC from a USB flash drive, you need to determine that your computer is suitable for this operating system. Here are the minimum requirements:
- CPU. Intel Core i3, i5, i7.
- Video card Intel HD3000 and later. Nvidia 750, 1050, 1050Ti, 1060, 1070, 1080. AMD 560, 580.
- Motherboard. Best Z Series (Gigabyte).
Creating a bootable flash drive
Installing a Hackintosh from a flash drive is generally a straightforward process. However, she will have to tinker with. First of all, you need to prepare a flash drive with a capacity of 8 GB or more.
The second step is to write the OS image to the USB flash drive. You can do this in several ways:
- If you do not have a MacBook, then use the BDU utility. It operates on Windows: it can record the bootloader and install the image.
- If you have access to a Mac computer, then the matter is simpler: you can create a bootable USB flash drive using UniBeast.
- Again, when accessing the MacBook or when you can install a virtual machine, you can go the other way: create a bootable USB flash drive using the terminal, and then install the Clover bootloader on it.
But that is not all. Installing Clover on Hackintosh is the first half of the story. Then, with the bootable USB flash drive, you will need to perform the following manipulations:
- Download all the necessary kexts for your hardware to your computer. After that, move them also to the bootable USB flash drive.
- Another important point. In addition to the kexts, download all the necessary drivers64UEFI to the flash drive.
- Before you install Hackintosh on your computer, make the necessary changes to the file called plist.config. It is he who will notify the OS with which hardware (motherboard, processor, video card) it will interact.
Before downloading
To avoid errors during the installation of Hackintosh, prepare the hardware of your computer for the process. To do this, reboot it to enter the BIOS. Configure the components according to their new operating system requirements.
Actually, the preparatory phase is behind. Let's start the download! The first place you find yourself at startup is the Clover bootloader. In some cases, he may require you to enter some arguments or keys to continue. Information can easily be found on the net. Therefore, you should have a laptop, smartphone with Internet access at hand.
Work with the utility
If the process is proceeding properly, then you will see a dialog box with iOS utilities. Click on the disk utility. You should clean the hard drive before placing the new operating system on it.
If you are installing Hakintosh on a PC, then stop at the Mac OS Extended, APFS format. Click on Erase. After the process is complete, close the utility. Now we are starting directly to launch the "apple" OS.
Operating system installation
And then the process is not more complicated than installing the well-known Windows:
- The Hackintosh installer will open before you. In its window, select the icon of the hard drive on which to place the OS. If Hackintosh reboots during installation, then try choosing a different hard drive.
- Click on the Continue button. Immediately warn you that the installation process will be quite lengthy. Its speed depends on the power of your computer.
- After the main installation phase is over, the system will prompt you to select the time zone, keyboard language, geolocation settings and other useful settings. Make changes as you wish.
- Hackintosh will then prompt you to log in to your AppleID. It’s best to stay on the Do Not Enter option.
- Be sure to create a computer account: come up with the name of the PC, enter the username, compose and confirm the password.
- Enable or disable Siri's voice assistant support.
That's all, the installation process has been successfully completed!
Mandatory settings after installation
For the operating system to function properly on your computer, just installing Hackintosh is not enough. After you have the long-awaited "apple" desktop, be sure to do the following:
- Download and install the Clover bootloader on your hard drive. Then mount the EFI partition of the system and bootable flash drive. Do not forget to transfer the drivers available on it from the flash drive to the system, as well as plist.config and kexts.
- If you have an Nvidia graphics card on your computer, you must install the web driver.
- There is no sound on your Hackintosh yet. For it to appear, you need to make changes to plist.config. Remember to set the appropriate keks.
That's all, the installation process of Hackintosh is completed. As you can see, this matter needs to be approached thoughtfully: choose the contents of the system unit or laptop according to the requirements that this operating system presents to hardware. The more thoroughly you prepare for the OS installation, the less annoying errors there will be during its operation. However, do not expect that you will end up with an exact copy of the MacBook - it is likely that a number of components will refuse to work. We recommend that you install the Hackintosh installation only for experienced users.