Mac OS X 10.6.2 kills Intel Atom Support

Techtree News Staff, Nov 03, 2009 1604 hrs IST

Hackint0sh won't install on Atom CPU netbooks after this update

Apple has decided to kill the growing Hackint0sh community with the upcoming Mac OS X 10.6.2 update. If you have been thinking that Mac OS X runs just on Mac machines, then say hello to Hackint0sh Netbook community. This hacking community makes Mac OS X run on non-Apple hardware and every possible Intel Atom-based netbook. Stell's blog first came up with the information about Mac OS X 10.6.2 developer build that had different CPU related information.

Hackint0sh community basically comes up with hacks to install Mac OS X on every possible netbook, with fixes and patches of course. Stell recommends Intel Atom Netbook users to stay on Hackint0sh OS X 10.5.8 version (Leopard) since 10.5.9 might have the same effect as 10.6.2 or OS X 10.6.1 (Snow Leopard). Other options include using "stock 10.0.0 kernel or modified Snow Leopard kernel". We kid you not but the Hackint0sh community would surely come out with workaround, sooner or later.

Apple is obviously trying to shutdown the Hackint0sh fever on fast selling netbooks. It's been long rumored for coming out with a Mac Tablet which eventually is being pushed to next year 2010. The only reason for Apple to kill Hackint0sh support is losing potential software business. Potential here means, if Apple launches its Apple netbook or tablet in future, users would already be using Snow Leopard on netbooks.

Whichever strategy Apple chooses, it's not going to be end of Mac OS X on netbooks. Hackint0sh community would continue working to find exploits and come up with workarounds. If only Apple could release special netbook version of Snow Leopard to run on Intel Atom netbooks, Windows 7 would have tough time. But as we all know, that's not going to happen.

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USER COMMENTS

First: There's nothing to kill. Apple does not use Atom processor, therefore is under no obligation to support it. Second: I believe that members of the 'hackint0sh community' should think hard about whether or not their actions are worth pursuing. After all, Apple is able to finance R&D into their OS and software from profits from hardware sales. Forcing Apple to sell Mac OS X on its own will result in higher prices for the OS itself and more restrictive licensing practices.

by elgarak, Tampa, FL, on Nov 03, 2009 10:48 PM, Report abuse Reply

Dude, get real. If M$ forced you to buy M$ hardware to get their OS, you apple fanboys would go nuts and cry foul. As it is, M$ catches hell for bundling apps with their OS... Apple should be held to the same standards. By the way, I personally own 6 apples and 2 windows machines. All have strengths and weaknesses. Stop obsessing over Apple.

by DLR, Atlanta, on Nov 05, 2009 09:36 AM, Report abuse

Community will figure it out sooner or later. As its been said securities are meant to be broken.-) Happy with p35 ich9r chipset with snow leopard 10.6.1 for now. Lets wait to break 2nd update. Hackit0sh community will not stop till they dont top charging super extra money for not so super extra os and its h/w.

by Bah, nEw DElHi, on Nov 04, 2009 02:42 AM, Report abuse Reply