Everything You Need to Build Your Own OS X Workstation: How To Get It Right The First Time, Avoid The Unexpected Problems, And Save Yourself Money… Even If You Don’t Know The First Thing About Computer Hardware.

If you’ve ever wanted to create your own hackintosh – that is, if you’ve ever wanted to save yourself hundreds on your next OS X workstation by installing Apple’s operating system on to normal, PC hardware, then this could be exactly what you are looking for.

I’ll show you how you can build your own quad-core hackintosh workstation based on the Gigabyte EX58-UD5 motherboard – from selecting hardware to OS X fully installed – and have it up and running in hours, not days.

Here’s what this is all about…

When Apple announced that they would be producing computers using Intel processors, it finally became possible – in principle – to run Apple’s OS X operating system on non-Apple hardware.

This meant that people would finally be able to run OS X on hardware that they had chosen – hardware that was equivalent or better, at a fraction of the cost of one of Apple’s workstations. But there was a problem. It was great in theory – but Apple did not support its users doing so. If you wanted to run OS X on non-Apple hardware – you were on your own.

Thanks to a dedicated group of enthusiasts known as the OSx86 Project, it is now possible to do this.

Yet despite the continuing work and effort of the community, it is still neither easy nor straight-forward. Successfully installing OS X on normal PC hardware was – and remains – a surprisingly difficult thing to do, even for an experienced computer user.

How do I know that it can be incredibly difficult?

I was that computer user.

When I first tried to install OS X onto a PC some years ago, I completely failed. I was a “Mac wiz” – I had been selling Apple computers for years and I earned my living doing Apple technical support and training. Naturally, I assumed that that I would be OK – that with effort and perseverance, I’d be able to figure it all out.

How wrong I was…

The guide I was following seemed simple enough: just follow the 30 or so steps, and everything was supposed to work.

But it didn’t work. And I had no idea what to do – or how to fix the problems.

The guide simply didn’t include any instructions on what to do when things went wrong. Sure, the guide I was following seemed great, and the author had done his best. But I didn’t have the exact same hardware as the author. And so, when I encountered problems, I didn’t really have anybody to turn to for help. Even if I did, just asking for help was difficult, as I often couldn’t determine what was causing the problems.

I spent days trying to get that machine going. I searched the forums and read everything I could find. But whenever I made progress, I only seemed to encounter more problems. After 30 hours, and a lot of frustration, I was no closer to achieving my goal. I decided to just write the whole project off as a lost cause.

Needless to say, I was pretty discouraged after this experience.

Fast forward six months…

My second serious attempt. I had been hearing a number of success stories, and so I decided to give it another shot.

Accepting the fact that this wasn’t going to be a quick or easy project, I got to work researching and reading everything I could. I wanted to ensure that the hardware I was using would be compatible – that the workstation I was building would be functional and stable.

I bought my hardware, and in time, I finally managed to install OS X.I had finally done it! But my sense of achievement soon faded. There were more issues – networking, dual monitors, audio… basic parts of my machine simply didn’t work. Issues which would require more time and effort to fix.

It was a powerful PC running OS X. It was fast, and it was much cheaper than a Mac Pro.

But it was far from the stability and functionality of a Mac Pro.

I couldn’t trust it. I needed a solid work station, a photography and video editing machine. I couldn’t afford to use an unreliable computer, or a computer that had basic features that just didn’t work.

But I was hooked

I knew it could be done – that with enough work, effort and time I would be able to reliably build stable hackintosh workstations – workstations that I would be happy to use and recommend over a Mac Pro.

And so, I got to work. I went back to the forums. I borrowed hardware from my friends. I tried, tested and played around with every piece of hardware and every software tool that I could get my hands on. At one point, I even spent two entire days in a friend’s computer shop, just to test hardware for a single machine.

I totally immersed myself in this pursuit. I had come this far, and I was determined to see it through.

Over the next 6 months, I ended up building numerous hackintosh workstations – workstations that were stable and reliable. I helped friends build and fix their own hackintosh workstations. I also built a lot of them for friends and family, in a number of different configurations. And I started using them as my primary workstations for photography and video editing projects.

But if I knew how time consuming this would be when I started, I would have just bought a Mac Pro.

That’s Why I Created OSx86guide.com

I realized that if everyone had to go through even a fraction of what I had to go through, then using OS X on anything but Apple hardware would be simply unachievable for most people.

My goal in creating OSx86guide.com was to enable the average computer user – not just the Unix geeks – to build themselves a hackintosh – easily, quickly and cheaply.

I wanted to bring together all of the information you’ll need to build a hackintosh workstation, in one reliable, up-to-date and supported website.  I wanted people to be able to build a hackintosh without the need to scour through endless forum posts, or risk spending money on hardware that they just can’t get working.

After spending over 600 hours in research, testing and development, and having built OS X workstations based on nine different motherboards, I wanted to give other people the opportunity to build a workstation – without the costs and challenges that I’ve experienced.

Who Did I Create OSx86guide.com For?

You can benefit from OSx86guide.com if:

• You want to save yourself hundreds by building a hackintosh (instead of buying a Mac Pro), and want to actually end up with a machine that just works.
• You’d rather spend your time actually using your Hackintosh workstation, rather than spending time simply trying to get it to work
• You don’t want to have to learn the core of the OS X operating system (and all of the programming tools), just to build a hackintosh workstation
• You want to know what hardware to use to build your OS X workstation – without having to read through endless websites and forum posts, or test numerous different hardware configurations
• You would rather have someone else go through the frustration of selecting and testing hardware, configuring the operating system, and fixing all of those little and unforeseen problems that can crop up for untested hardware configurations.
• You want your Hackintosh to be as stable and reliable as it can be – and actually have all of the normal operating system features work, right after the installation
• You’d like to have OS X and Microsoft’s Windows 7 installed on the one computer… or at least have the option to do so in the future

Of course, I realize that OSx86guide.com isn’t for everyone.

If you’re a Unix coder and have plenty of spare time, or if you want to do it from scratch just for the challenge – then sure. You can do it yourself. And that may be the better option for you.

And of course, if you’d prefer to buy a Mac Pro and pay Apple’s (not insignificant) premium on hardware, then that’s fine too.

I’m not here to convince you to buy. I’m here to lay it all out, and let you decide whether what I’m offering is the best option for you.

Here’s exactly what you’re going to get:

Upon payment, you’ll get immediate access to all of the content of OSx86guide.com.

You’ll be able to login and have unlimited access all of the videos, resources, tools and guides – at any time, anywhere you’ve got an internet connection.

You’re going to see exactly how to build a quad-core, OS X workstation based on the Intel Core i7-920 processor and the Gigabyte EX58-UD5 motherboard.

So here’s what’s included with access to OSx86guide.com:

Bootloader CD Disk Image

This CD image contains everything you need to install OS X onto your chosen hardware configuration. Just download the file from the website, write it to a blank DVD or CD, and you canuse it to start the OS X installation process from an official Apple OS X ‘Snow Leopard’ DVD (which you’ll need to get separately).

This disk image includes the bootloader (so you can install and start OS X); it includes the driver, KEXT packages (to get OS X to run) and DSDT (Dedicated System Description Table), and all of the tools and utilities you will need to create your hackintosh workstation.

A huge amount of testing, tweaking and optimization has gone into the the DSDT files, the bootloader CD itself, and the driver files that are on it.

Now, at present, the bootloader can’t be used with just any hardware. It is set up for use on the Gigabyte EX58-UD5 motherboard, and the Core i7 920 CPU. You’ll also have the choice of three video cards – the ATI Radeon HD4870, the NVIDIA GTX285, and the NVIDIA 9800GT (Silent) – all of which are significantly better than the default graphics card in the Mac Pro.

I’ve decided to limit the bootloader to this motherboard and these video cards, so I can directly test the hardware and support you if any problems or issues come up. You’re not going to be left with a system that ‘used to work’, sometime in the past, or ‘should’ work. This is a system that I know works – because it’s a system that I own and use daily.

Hardware Installation Video Guide

This video guide will show you, step-by-step, exactly how to install all of the hardware into your case. From selecting your hardware through to the first power on, you’ll learn everything you need to know in order to create your hackintosh workstation – even if you’ve never built a computer before.

You’ll see, in specific detail, where every single plug, connector and component goes, and specifically how to install them. Just follow along, step-by-step and you’ll be able get your computer up and running– ready to install OS X – in no time at all.

Of course, if you’d prefer to get someone else to put your hardware together, then you can simply give the hardware list from this website to a PC tech or your local computer shop, and you’ll be good to go.

Software Installation Video Guide

The software installation video guide shows every step of the OS X installation and setup process from start to finish. The software installation process is split into three separate, easy to follow parts.

First, there is the BIOS settings guide. This video guide will show you how to set up your computer’s BIOS correctly. Whilst this is very easy to do and will only take a few minutes – if you know how – it is a key part of building a hackintosh. Correct BIOS settings are critical for a stable and functional workstation – which is why I’ve created a guide to show you how to set them properly.

You’ll see exactly what BIOS settings to use and how to change them.

Second, you’ll see how to install OS X, using the boot CD provided on this website.

This video guide covers the actual process for installing OS X onto your computer. You’ll see everything, from starting the installation through to setting up your hard drives and customizing the installation, to completing the installation of OS X.

Finally, you’ll see how to install the bootloader and driver packages that you need in order for OS X to start and run. The bootloader and driver packages are conveniently placed on the boot CD – so once you’ve installed OS X, just copy the files across, run the utilities and installers as per the video guide, and your new workstation will be ready to use.

Just follow the simple instructions in the software installation guide, and you can have OS X installed and ready to use in under 40 minutes.

Bonus: OS X / Windows 7 Dual Boot Video Guide

This video guide will show you exactly how to set up your computer so that you have both OS X and Windows 7 installed simultaneously on the one computer. After following this guide, you’ll be able to select from a boot menu which operating system you want to start, each time you turn on your computer.

This way, you can get the best of both worlds, with OS X and Windows 7 installed on the one computer.

Plus, You’ll Get Unlimited Future Updates to OSx86guide.com

As part of your membership to OSx86guide.com, you’ll gain access to all future website updates and hardware configurations. That means, when I produce any new bootloader CDs, even for a completely new system, you’ll get immediate access to them (at no cost), as part of your membership. And any new video guides I produce – you’ll get access to those as well.

So, if you want to upgrade in 6 months time, or get an OS X machine for a friend/family member: no problem. Just log on to the website, look at the latest hardware configurations, and get to work building the one you want.

Here’s How to Gain Immediate Access

Access to all of the content on OSx86guide.com is just $10.

This includes complete access to all of the videos, resources and tools listed on this page. And remember: you’ll have access to any future updates to the website as well. That means, any new videos, tools or hardware configurations I create – you’ll get access to free, once you’re a member.

I’ve done all the research for you – so you don’t have to spend the time reading through endless forum posts to work out what hardware to buy and whether it’s going to be compatible. You’re not going to have to create your own bootloader CD (or fix it when it doesn’t work properly). You’re not going have to find, compile, test and install your own driver packages.

And if you do run into difficulties, then just contact me from within the site and I’ll give you a hand.

To gain immediate access to OSx86guide.com, just click the Buy Now Button below.

My Guarantee

Here’s what I’ll offer you. If you purchase access to OSx86guide.com, and you aren’t fully satisfied with the quality of the information or tools provided, then I’ll refund 100% of your money.

Simply put, you’ll have 30 days to decide – risk free – whether it’s the right thing for you. If not – then let me know, and you’ll get back everything you paid. No questions, no pressure.

Why am I prepared to do this? It’s simple really. I’m confident that the information and tools here will be everything you need to create an OS X powered workstation computer. And I know that the information and tools on this website will save you hours upon hours (if not days) of your time. And I also know that you can save yourself a lot of money by building a hackintosh instead of buying an Mac Pro.

If the information and support on this website can’t help you to build a hackintosh workstation quickly, cheaply and easily, then I believe you have the right to request a full refund.

Now, I can’t guarantee that I’ll keep it at this price forever. As I add more information, guides and computer systems to the site, I may adjust the price – or I may go to a subscription model. Either way, if you buy now, I guarantee that you’ll have access to everything on OSx86guide.com – for life – with nothing more to pay.

Sincerely,

Oliver Holmgren

Founder, OSx86guide.com

Click here to gain instant access:

(Payment of US$10 can be made using your PayPal account or credit card)

P.S. I’m confident that you’re not going to find an easier or quicker way to build an OS X workstation computer. That’s why I’m happy to provide a 100% money back guarantee – so there’s no risk on your behalf.