EFi-X USB dongle turns your PC into a Mac for $155

Filed under: OS Updates, Macintosh, Apple

EFi-X USB dongle turns your PC into a Mac for $155

by Brad Linder Sep 17th 2008

No, the EFi-X USB dongle doesn't turn John Hodgeman into Justin Long. But this little USB dongle, which we first mentioned in June, does let PC users install OS X without buying a Mac. And it's shipping now.

Just plug it into a USB port (according to Gizmodo, we're talking about the internal USB ports hidden inside your PC case, not the kind that hangs out in the front and back), and stick in an OS X install disc. No need to go through all the twists and turns that are typically associated with hacking OS X to make it run on non-Apple hardware.

Keep in mind, you're violating Apple's EULA if you install OS X on non-Apple hardware, even if you've legally paid for the operating system. But you can still probably put together a hackintosh complete with a licensed copy of OS X and a $155 EFi-X dongle for less than the price of an official Mac. Plus, there's a chance you may be able to run OS X on your current system. Just make sure to check the list of supported hardware before sending away for an EFi-X.

Tags: efi-x, efix, hackintosh, osx86

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Twist said 2:13PM on 9-17-2008

This thing sounds like a real rip-off to me since if you do your research you can put together a Hackintosh pretty easily without it. A friend of mine just put together a system based on a tutorial from the InsanelyMac.com Forums that runs like a dream and is pretty comparable to the low-end Mac Pro. I am about to put one together myself and if you are interested here is the thread: http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=112708

P.S. InsanelyMac.com got one of these things and couldn't get it to work (think they tried it with a motherboard that wasn't officially supported though).

Mark said 3:12PM on 9-17-2008

You can just patch your copy of OS X to install on any PC for free. I mean if you are technically inclined enough to open your case and find a spare USB header patching your install disc should be no problem. However if this will pressure Apple into officially supporting other systems I'm all for it. Of course they'll just sue instead.

Drew Green said 5:30PM on 9-17-2008

Yup, right on the ball.

Jash Sayani said 6:44AM on 9-18-2008

EFi-X is old now. 3 months in market. Netkas got it to work. Anyways, the OSX86 team's work is much better. All you need is a distro thats compatible with your config. Kalyway/iATKOS works most of the time.

TMM said 6:35PM on 9-18-2008

First:
No, your PC will not become a MAC. It will just run OSX, which is a big part of a Mac, but you will miss the great design pretty fast ... and the great service ... and so on ...

Second:
NO, "OPENING" up Mac OS for other computers would not be good, it would FRIGGING DESROY THE MAC AND MAC OS, IT ALMOST HAPPENED BEFORE.
Sorry for the screaming ...

P.S.:
No matter what you say: this is all about gaming anyways. I do understand the hackers. They can and should try stuff like this out. But most of the "customers" for this are the guys that want to game with a SLI 9800 for supa cool every detail on gaming: LAME.

and. BTW.: Mac are not "over expensive".
Your cheap-a** PC is cheap-a** for a reason and I'm tired of explaining it in every detail.

You get what you pay for. Something better.

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