Tim Cook made it fairly clear that Apple didn't want to compete in the Netbook space at this week's earnings report. We know you've been waiting for that Apple Netbook so we're showing you the best/easiest substitute. Tha MacWind (via CultofMac) seems to be a worthy paceholder until Apple joins this space - if at all. MSI has been gracious enough to provide Mac drivers for their WiFi hardware so everything now works out of the box. Keep in mind all of this Hackintoshness is a legal gray area so make sure you've bought at least 3 copies of Leopard in the past year like us.
This would be great for those times when the MBP is too heavy and the iPod Touch is too light.
I've never actually been in that situation, but it could happen. Might be good for bathroom use. The MBP is too big to be a really good craptop computer, and I'm always worried about dropping the iPod.
"Excuse me but I'm not sure I got it. If you put a Leopard CD in this MSI, the installation will instantly work???"
There's no internal DVD drive so you've got to attach an external USB drive.
And the MSI BIOS can't directly boot the Leopard DVD. You need to boot a DVD with the software BOOT132. That will then boot the Leopard DVD and it installs just fine. You'll need a USB keyboard and mouse during the install.
Then afterwards you need to fix the bootloader permanently with another bit of software called Chameleon.
Then you've got to muck about with drivers because Leopard doesn't bundle the drivers required for the Wind.
The Dell Mini 9 makes an (arguably) better/"less illegal" Hackintosh netbook, as there is a fully-developed project for the Mini 9 which allows one to install OS 10.5.4 onto the system directly from a full retail Leopard DVD. No offense intended to those who have put the work into using a slipstreamed version of Leopard for their MSi Winds.
You can install 10.5.6 directly onto the MSI Wind from a full retail Leopard DVD. There's even a fully-developed MSI Wind package that installs all the drivers. How is the Dell Mini any better than the Wind?
Is that a new development? Because last time I checked (~2 weeks ago or so), you had to use a slipstreamed (read: hacked) version of Leopard for the MSI Wind. My apologies if this has been worked-around since then. If you can install Leopard from DVD for the MSI Wind as well, then it is just a matter of preference and the amount of work you want to put in to it. My opinion from having examined both machines is that the Dell is substantially better constructed than the MSI WInd, but you pay more of a premium for it. Unless, of course, you hit up the Dell Outlet for a Mini 9 - in which case the price difference evaporates (a Dell factory refurbished/returned Mini 9 runs ~$300 as well). Not trying to start a flame war of which is the better machine, just pointing out the differences between the process as I understand them. http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/why-not-msiwind-method--t2114.html
No. It's been possible since the same time as for the Dell Mini. They use the exact same boot loader software to do it.
"If you can install Leopard from DVD for the MSI Wind as well, then it is just a matter of preference and the amount of work you want to put in to it."
The amount of work required is identical, in my experience. They're both PC laptops with substantially identical hardware.
Could you provide some reference that shows the Boot123 method has been successfully used on the MSI Wind? The link I posted (current as of 01/01/09) clearly illustrates the differences between the two installs, notably: 1.) you are required to download a *hacked* copy of the Leopard install disc to do the MSI WInd install. 2.) poor assortment of kexts in the MSI Wind disc and no automated script to do it all for you in one swoop. 3.) software update won't just work. Not saying that the Boot123 method can't be done for the MSI Wind, but I have yet to find one successful case of it happening that doesn't use a hacked version of Leopard.
No, we are not waiting for a Mac Netbook (if "we" includes me, or undoubtably many others.)
I'm just waiting for a replacement for the 12 inch PowerBook with all the capacity and capability of a modern-day MacBook. A slightly smaller MBA would do wonders for me.
Personally, I'd hate to spend money on a grossly underpowered NetBook with a 3rd rate display. A "netbook" would simply be a mediocre substitute for my laptop or my iPhone.
I was looking at netbooks and decided on the MSI Wind just because of the ability to install OSX. During installation, you need to uncheck one box in the setup, and after installation, there are some tweaks you need to do to get everything (headphone jack, correct screen resolution) working.
If you follow the directions, then all but the Wireless card works natively, and you can even update to 10.5.6. All one has to do is replace the wireless card with a "Dell" version, and you are good to go. It is a fun project for those "tinkerers" out there!
"Tim Cook made it fairly clear that Apple didn't want to compete in the Netbook space"
Uhm, this is not what he said at all. What is wrong with you people? He said that they have some ideas and are watching the space closely. I took this to mean that they are not putting out a netbook in the immediate future, not to mean that they don't want to compete.
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This would be great for those
This would be great for those times when the MBP is too heavy and the iPod Touch is too light.
I've never actually been in that situation, but it could happen. Might be good for bathroom use. The MBP is too big to be a really good craptop computer, and I'm always worried about dropping the iPod.
Excuse me but I'm not sure I
Excuse me but I'm not sure I got it. If you put a Leopard CD in this MSI, the installation will instantly work???
well, it doesn't have a CD,
well, it doesn't have a CD, you'll need to do a bit more work than that :D
"Excuse me but I'm not sure I
"Excuse me but I'm not sure I got it. If you put a Leopard CD in this MSI, the installation will instantly work???"
There's no internal DVD drive so you've got to attach an external USB drive.
And the MSI BIOS can't directly boot the Leopard DVD. You need to boot a DVD with the software BOOT132. That will then boot the Leopard DVD and it installs just fine. You'll need a USB keyboard and mouse during the install.
Then afterwards you need to fix the bootloader permanently with another bit of software called Chameleon.
Then you've got to muck about with drivers because Leopard doesn't bundle the drivers required for the Wind.
The Dell Mini 9 makes an
The Dell Mini 9 makes an (arguably) better/"less illegal" Hackintosh netbook, as there is a fully-developed project for the Mini 9 which allows one to install OS 10.5.4 onto the system directly from a full retail Leopard DVD. No offense intended to those who have put the work into using a slipstreamed version of Leopard for their MSi Winds.
You can install 10.5.6
You can install 10.5.6 directly onto the MSI Wind from a full retail Leopard DVD. There's even a fully-developed MSI Wind package that installs all the drivers. How is the Dell Mini any better than the Wind?
Is that a new development?
Is that a new development? Because last time I checked (~2 weeks ago or so), you had to use a slipstreamed (read: hacked) version of Leopard for the MSI Wind. My apologies if this has been worked-around since then. If you can install Leopard from DVD for the MSI Wind as well, then it is just a matter of preference and the amount of work you want to put in to it. My opinion from having examined both machines is that the Dell is substantially better constructed than the MSI WInd, but you pay more of a premium for it. Unless, of course, you hit up the Dell Outlet for a Mini 9 - in which case the price difference evaporates (a Dell factory refurbished/returned Mini 9 runs ~$300 as well). Not trying to start a flame war of which is the better machine, just pointing out the differences between the process as I understand them.
http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/why-not-msiwind-method--t2114.html
"Is that a new
"Is that a new development?"
No. It's been possible since the same time as for the Dell Mini. They use the exact same boot loader software to do it.
"If you can install Leopard from DVD for the MSI Wind as well, then it is just a matter of preference and the amount of work you want to put in to it."
The amount of work required is identical, in my experience. They're both PC laptops with substantially identical hardware.
Could you provide some
Could you provide some reference that shows the Boot123 method has been successfully used on the MSI Wind? The link I posted (current as of 01/01/09) clearly illustrates the differences between the two installs, notably: 1.) you are required to download a *hacked* copy of the Leopard install disc to do the MSI WInd install. 2.) poor assortment of kexts in the MSI Wind disc and no automated script to do it all for you in one swoop. 3.) software update won't just work. Not saying that the Boot123 method can't be done for the MSI Wind, but I have yet to find one successful case of it happening that doesn't use a hacked version of Leopard.
"Could you provide some
"Could you provide some reference that shows the Boot123 method has been successfully used on the MSI Wind? "
http://forums.msiwind.net/mac/
The second sticky, dated October 2008.
"1.) you are required to
"1.) you are required to download a *hacked* copy of the Leopard install disc to do the MSI WInd install."
No, retail install works just fine, same as every other Intel PC on the planet.
"2.) poor assortment of kexts in the MSI Wind disc and no automated script to do it all for you in one swoop. "
No, get the MSIWindDrivers.mpkg which has all drivers in one bundle.
"3.) software update won't just work. "
No, works just fine, thanks to /Extras/Extensions.
The link you posted (01/01/09) is simply wrong. I'd delete it.
No, we are not waiting for a
No, we are not waiting for a Mac Netbook (if "we" includes me, or undoubtably many others.)
I'm just waiting for a replacement for the 12 inch PowerBook with all the capacity and capability of a modern-day MacBook. A slightly smaller MBA would do wonders for me.
Personally, I'd hate to spend money on a grossly underpowered NetBook with a 3rd rate display. A "netbook" would simply be a mediocre substitute for my laptop or my iPhone.
I have this setup
I was looking at netbooks and decided on the MSI Wind just because of the ability to install OSX. During installation, you need to uncheck one box in the setup, and after installation, there are some tweaks you need to do to get everything (headphone jack, correct screen resolution) working.
There is also an excellent
There is also an excellent guide to OS X on an Acer Aspire One at this link:
http://www.aspireoneuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7802
If you follow the directions, then all but the Wireless card works natively, and you can even update to 10.5.6. All one has to do is replace the wireless card with a "Dell" version, and you are good to go. It is a fun project for those "tinkerers" out there!
Tim
Oh, and who the hell takes a
Oh, and who the hell takes a laptop to the bathroom? WTF?!?!
lap on the bog
I do, all the time:) Seriously, it's the one place were I guaranteed can get some peace, quiet and work done..
"Tim Cook made it fairly
"Tim Cook made it fairly clear that Apple didn't want to compete in the Netbook space"
Uhm, this is not what he said at all. What is wrong with you people? He said that they have some ideas and are watching the space closely. I took this to mean that they are not putting out a netbook in the immediate future, not to mean that they don't want to compete.
How about Tiger?
Just wonering can you install Tiger on these? (Dont have a retail ver of Leopard but do of Tiger)
Thanks
I can't speak to the MSI
I can't speak to the MSI WInd, but I know the Dell Mini 9 has a Tiger DVD install for it.
For those who are interested,
For those who are interested, this chart (~30 days old) shows the progress on netbooks with OS X installs: http://blogs.computerworld.com/the_new_killer_netbook_feature_macosx_com...