Hackintosh Netbooks RIP? Apple rumoured to disable Intel Atom support
November 2, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Reports are surfacing that Apple is planning to strike back at the Hackintosh netbook community, by disabling support of Intel Atom processors with the forthcoming Mac OS X 10.6.2 update.
Personally, I’m surprised it has taken the company this long to take action, especially for a company that guards its IP so vociferously. There is a large number of users that use their beloved netbooks with Mac OS X as a genuine alternative to Windows & Linux distros.
The company has nothing to lose as it doesn’t manufacture any products using the Atom chip. If true, it would also highlight that the company has no such products on their roadmap. Does this mean the rumoured Apple tablet will not be powered by Intel’s low-power Atom line after all? It could mean that Apple will be designing its own ARM-based processor following the $278 million buyout of fabless chip designer P.A. Semi.
For those of you currently with Hackintosh netbooks, we’d suggest sticking with Mac OS X 10.6.1 until we have confirmation. The forthcoming Mac OS X 10.6.2 will update nearly 150 components of the operating system and address issues with the Dock, ColorSync, QuartzCore and graphic driver components.
November 3rd, 2009 4:53 AM
You mean Apple OS + ARM Processors ?? Wow .. “smartbooks” may just become more relevant. Watch out Wintel .. I also hope Apple concentrates on a distinguishing parameters i.e., battery life & more compatibility. The battle is on !!
November 3rd, 2009 7:27 AM
The dim hope of an apple netbook grows dimmer.
November 3rd, 2009 11:53 AM
Apple: Open mouth, insert foot, repeat……….
November 3rd, 2009 12:53 PM
Well such is the spread of Wintel (even Linux @ low price couldn’t compete) due to its compatibility that it’ll be difficult for Apple to come out with an aggressively priced model so early on into the netbook space. Here ARM may be able to be competitive and also get the Apple ‘alternative’ juggernaut rolling.
But I have a hunch, despite ARM, Apple will most probably be a little pricey i.e., beyond the US$ 500 mark – the unlocked version. All depends on the price range otherwise it’ll just be like the Nokia 3G Booklet …. for lack of better word … “letdown” in terms of $ tag. The next Steve Jobs presentation may be interesting from this perspective. BUT I think it’ll be a great ‘first product’ launch.