A Mac Story

"You know what would make a great app?.." - a way that a lot of conversations start. I know I say that a lot! I really wanted to put some of my ideas in motion. However, I need a mac for that.

So, I go on the Apple website and start convulsing. How are you going to charge upwards of a thousand dollars for a computer? Now I start looking for alternatives.

My girlfriend at this point in time is buying a new laptop, and getting rid of her old one. I, of course, take it. After doing research, I find out that it has an insane amount of hardware compatible with OSX86 (a.k.a. Hackintosh). In fact, people recommend this exact model to people looking to make a Hackintosh.

So I install Mac OS X onto it, and almost everything works great. (it has some problems, but that can be expected. But it having OS X isn't enough for me. It has to feel like a Mac.

So, I took the lid apart. I removed the frame bezel (that has the word Lenovo on it) and spray painted the entire thing black (I covered up the webcam lens). No more Lenovo logo! Next up is the plastic lid cover. I spray painted the entire lid gold. Then, I had my girlfriend trace an apple logo onto a piece of duct tape, and cut it out. We then measured it out, and stuck it onto the lid. Then, we put black paint on over it. I am currently letting it dry overnight (I ran out of spray paint and had to use regular paint), and I will remove the sticker tomorrow. Leaving me with a black macbook with a gold Apple logo.

Some pictures and maybe a video explaining everything will be posted at some point tomorrow or Monday

 

>> After doing research, I find out that it has an insane amount of hardware compatible with OSX86 (a.k.a. Hackintosh). In fact, people recommend this exact model to people looking to make a Hackintosh. <<

That's great Zack... I'll look foreword to seeing the pics and video tomorrow. Ahhh... those 'first-Mac-computer' memories come rushing back to me now!

Although I currently primarily use PCs nowadays; mostly because there is way more freeware applications available for PC computers, I still love using my Macs. My very first computer was actually commonly referred to as the Macintosh 128K - the very first Mac - which originally came out around early 1984. It was the first computer produced by Apple under the name 'Macintosh' and this computer didn't even have any model number - it was simply the Macintosh. I believe that this particular Mac one was also the first 'commercially successful' personal computer which actually had featured the mouse as well as a graphical user interface (rather than the standard command-line interface which came before that time) but the centerpiece of the new interface was definitely the mouse-driven control.

Anyway here's how I got it, originally: Right around that time (mid-80's, I mean) I was living in a high-rise building and my next-door neighbor was a very nice semi-elderly woman who lived alone and I used to help her out once in a while with her grocery packages, etc. Then one winter day when she had passed on; her daughter knocked on my door to tell me that she had died and because her mom always mentioned that I helped her out she gave me her mom's computer! I was flabbergasted to say the least. This was in like late 1985-86 and I think they cost like a whopping $2000+ when they were brand new, at the time. It's most definitely a relic nowadays I guess; and I have had several newer Mac computers since that time that could run circles around it (of course); but I'll always have a soft-spot for that first one.

Good Luck! -- COMP​

 

http://www.apple.com/macmini/ 600 bucks plus shipping hardly is 1000, i dont see how as a developer you think coding your apps on a not complete/hacked version of osx will produce flawless apps. Anyhow, its cool and neat that you did it, and can't wait to see photos.

 

That's so cool! She's such a nice woman to do that.

I've been looking at that for a few weeks. I'm probably going to get one eventually. However, this Hackintosh was mainly for the fun of building it, and just to get used to the interface of OS X.

 

No! Don't do it! Don't cross the bridge unto evil! Return to the PC side while there's still time!

Seriously, having used both, I can honestly say that I miss my PC everytime I'm forced to use a Mac. It's not just that I despise Apple garbage either. I mean, I can upgrade my PC part by part if I find something isn't up to snuff. Macs, I have to buy an entirely new computer. True, it doesn't make a difference with Laptops, but for desktops, which are still the standard. I'm not interested in spending a grand, everytime the piece of junk isn't up to snuff.

 

Bullshit you can't upgrade a mac. Yeah theres limited upgrades avaible. But you can definitly do bigger hard drive/more ram and video card, video cards are slightly limited compared to what you could do with a pc, but i have done all of the above, and most people will never do more then there ram/hard drive upgrades. Not to mention macs hold there value for far longer then pcs do. I see people willing to spend way more on a used 2-3 year old mac then they would on a used six month old pc. Anyhow, back to your normal scheduled programming.

 

Here is a picture of the finished product (click to make it bigger):

http://osx86.zackmagee.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/5-300x225.jpg

And a link to my blog post about it: http://osx86.zackmagee.com/2012/08/14/how-to-build-the-worlds-coolest-laptop.html

 

Watch out for that cease and desist letter from Apple. :-D

Good job on the logo.

 

Huh. Guess you can upgrade Macs. Another thing changed since I last used one. Of course, it's also a move closer to the PC.

Besides, I have yet to see a Mac with SLI/Crossfire or one set up for gaming. Yet I hear about the superiority of Macs.

True, an older Mac is still more expensive than an older PC, but it's because PC's get upgraded more often for less money, and are far more common on the market. Of course the PC is also far more powerful than those 2-3 year old macs so...

 

I mean from a per consumer standpoint, not talking you or me or well anyone that reads majorgeeks. Most of us do upgrades and constantly are on the cutting edge of hardware or would be if they could afford it. Macs while more expensive to begin with, plain old work. I probably sound like a crazy at this point, but i have a pc that i use to game. When i want to do video editing, i grab my mac. Its all about the right machine for the right job. We could talk about upgrading to a new version of windows costs around 150 or more. The latest osx upgrade "mountain lion" 20 bucks.

 

True, but I am still using XP. So am getting my monies worth out of that purchase... And the only reason I am looking to upgrade my OS is so I can add extra RAM.

 

...and there I thought this was a story about a burger or a raincoat. :-D

 

MMM, you said burger... :-D

 

I've also still got XP, on my gaming system. It's less of a resource hog, so the games run smoother.

I just can't bring myself to use Macs. I know, they're supposed to be the best things ever for graphics, but everytime I try to use one it ends up hanging up, or showing me that windows is just better.