Apple closes the door on Atom-based devices

[z-mac]

Hackish owners of "netbooks" take note:

http://osxdaily.com/2009/11/09/mac-os-x-10-6-2-update-released-intel-atom-support-officially-missing-breaks-hackintosh-netbooks/

[Dan Millar]

Yes, but the hackers have already found a way around it, I found at least three sources for the relatively-simple workaround without really trying. Here's a link for those who have an MSI Wind:

http://insanelywind.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=418&start=0

Other brands you'll have to look for, same basic principle though.

There are fourteen pages on this topic at MacRumors, I don't really understand all the angst, but this seems to be a rather contentious issue for both Mac-diehards and Hackintosh enthusiasts.

It would appear that a) Apple is purposely trying to block netbook users, as the omission is aimed directly at Atom CPUs, or b) dropped the Atom as it was/will never used in an Apple product, or c) is reinforcing their EULA to be consistent with their stand against Psystar/EFiX and others. Thoughts?

Happy Mac'ing (not hacking!)

Dan

[ben schmidt]

It would appear that a) Apple is purposely trying to block netbook users, as the omission is aimed directly at Atom CPUs, or b) dropped the Atom as it was/will never used in an Apple product, or c) is reinforcing their EULA to be consistent with their stand against Psystar/EFiX and others. Thoughts?

John Gruber of daringfireball.net's list of possible explanations includes one additional possibility:

"[Atom support missing in OS X 10.6.2] could just be a bug that'll be fixed in 10.6.3. Breaking compatibility with a CPU Apple has never used certainly isn't a high priority."

...b

[z-mac]

the hackers have already found a way around it

They're overwriting the new kernel with the Leopard kernel before rebooting following the installation. As far as hacks go, I wouldn't expect an OS update to run stably this way. But these guys and gals are keeners and they have some time on their collective hands.

It would appear that a) Apple is purposely trying to block netbook users, as the omission is aimed directly at Atom CPUs, or b) dropped the Atom as it was/will never used in an Apple product, or c) is reinforcing their EULA to be consistent with their stand against Psystar/EFiX and others. Thoughts?

I'm no insider, but it looks like a test to me. Apple doesn't like anyone threatening its OS+hardware revenue. If Apple has a tablet in the works (as is rumoured) and the company perceives the Atom-based portables to be any degree of threat, Apple will yank Atom support and mean it. Without much effort, Apple can add a system API or two and break backward compatibility with previous kernels.

[Dan Millar]

Yeah, I think that's another quite valid point, it could be a simple bug. But, as z-mac points out - it wouldn't be the first time Apple "bricked" a specific device or usage deliberately.

From such molehills, mountains are made...

Happy Mac'ing

Dan

[z-mac]

Speaking of Psystar... The Fat Lady has sung.

http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20091114101637997

[Dan Millar]

Yeah, it was inevitable. Thank goodness it's over and we now have a clear view of just what they were up to. I have no problem with people using, or trying to use, a legitimate retail copy of Leopard to do whatever they want with - so long as it doesn't negatively impact people who are using it just as the EULA specifies. But, Psystar, as I read this account, was simply burning the same copy over and over and distributing it as if it was a legitimate retail copy - which is clearly illegal, even in the EU(cheap shot at euro-commerce). Why they chose this model is beyond me, at least selling legit copies of Leopard would have worked somewhat in their favour as far as public opinion goes, and probably would survive a challenge in the EU, heck - probably even here in Canada.

Happy Mac'ing

Dan

[ben schmidt]

No word yet as to whether incompatibility of OS X 10.6.2 with the Intel Atom processor used in most netbooks was inadvertent (no Apple products currently make use of the Atom processor) or part of a deliberate strategy by Apple to further inhibit the use of OS X on non-Apple hardware in contravention of OS X's EULA.

The prudent thing for any Hackintosh user might be to stay at OS X 10.6.1 and wait to see what OS X 10.6.3 brings. However prudence might not be what motivates hackintoshers! :)

• Hack brings 10.6.2 back to Atom processors, Macworld.com, 19-Nov-2009

[ben schmidt]

"Proof you can't keep a good hackintosher down: it took a few days, but a Russian-based hacker has created a patched kernel that enables booting Mac OS X 10.6.2 on Atom-powered hardware. By Chris Foresman | Last updated November 21, 2009 9:11 AM"

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/11/hacked-darwin-kernel-out-for-1062-on-atom-netbooks.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

PS. I'm still waiting for the Apple tablet! :)