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Can I load OSX on a non-apple computer?

Can I buy the mac operating system and load it on a HP or Sony computer? If not, why not?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4), 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB DDR3

Posted on Apr 5, 2011 7:09 PM

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10 replies

Apr 6, 2011 8:49 AM in response to Commonman

Specifically it is illegal because Apple's software license restricts its use on anything but an Apple manufactured machine. You can though install Windows on a Mac*:

http://www.macmaps.com/macosxnative.html#WINTEL

Furthermore, one of the key selling points about Mac OS X is its tight integration with the hardware which you won't find with Windows. A special EFI firmware improves that integration, and is only found on Apple made machines.

Apr 7, 2011 4:51 AM in response to Commonman

Since the original poster isn't exactly clear regarding the "how", I just wanted to make clear that you cannot simply take an OS X install DVD, put it in a "regular" PC, and install it. OS X has specific proprietary hardware requirements. It simply won't install on a standard PC. Forcing OS X to install on standard PC hardware requires either hacking the OS or modifying the hardware in the PC to make the OS "think" it is a Mac. Courts have generally shut down companies offering OS X on non-Mac hardware. The user's experience on these machines is almost always sub-par in some respect. System updates may break compatibility with whatever "hack" was used to get it to work in the first place. It's just a bad idea all around and a less than spectacular user experience.

Can I load OSX on a non-apple computer?

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