Now that a real Apple netbook is firmly out of the question, a Hackintosh is your best bet to get your OSX fix via a netbook.  Insanely Mac is a great website dedicated to everything Apple, and they’ve launched a spinoff site called myMacNetbook that focuses on the might Hackintosh Netbook.

The site is full of essential information about which netbooks are most suitable to the hackintosh treatment, as well as the steps you’ll need to follow to install OS X on a variety of different netbook models. The handy compatibility chart is the first place you’ll want to start when researching which netbook to get for your hackintosh project.

A fix is on the way to enable 10.6.2 Hackintosh netbooks

If you’ve been following the Hackintosh saga (drama?) as of late, you’ll know that as it stands today, it’s not possible to Hackintosh your netbook to run the latest version of Apples OSX operating system (10.6.2).  You’ll be happy to hear however, that the ‘Meklort’ the man behind the NetbookInstaller software, which tweaks OSX to make netbook hackintoshing possible has stated that an updated version will be available soon.

If you’re technically savvy, there’s even a work around posted on the blog that is reported to work today.

OSX 10.6.2 update is out, and no Intel Atom support.

First it was, then it wasn’t, then it was again, but now it’s official.  Support for the tiny but mighty Intel Atom processor has been dropped in the latest release of Apple’s popular OSX operating system.  So what exactly does that mean?

Well, for one, if you want a Hackintosh, you’ll need to stick to one of the earlier versions of OSX, and you won’t be getting any software updates from Apple anytime soon.

Secondly, it definately makes us wonder about Apple’s rumoured Netbook/Tablet.  This seems to make it clear that it won’t be running an Atom processor.  Perhaps it will be ARM powered, coupled with Nvidia’s Tegra graphics chipset?  Nvidia’s CEO boasted recently that his household was ‘all Apple’ and the image after the break certainly raises a few questions…

Nvidia's CEO with a mystery tablet

A few days ago we reported that the latest developer release of Apple’s OSX Snow Leopard operating system broke support for the Intel Atom processor – thereby disabling any future Hackintosh projects.  Well, today, the latest news from Stell’s blog is that support is back in the latest build of the developer release.  Why, no one knows, but we hope it stays and hasn’t given Apple any nasty ideas.  You know, with their anticipated tablet/netbook for this Christmas and all…

Source: Stell’s Blog.

Snow Leopard and Atom don't mix

For those of you that have ‘Hackintoshed’ your netbook, don’t upgrade to the latest release of Snow Leopard when it comes out.  Stellarolla, a well known OSX authority, and a key contributor to the original hackintosh writes on his blog:

In the current developer build of 10.6.2, Apple appears to have changed around a lot of CPU related information. One of the effects of this is Apple killing off Intel’s Atom chip.

Now, before we all panic, please note that he says ‘current’ and ‘developer’.  This isn’t the final consumer release, so Apple could still stop being petty and allow Atom processors to run Snow Leopart 10.6.2.  If they don’t however, we recommend keeping your frankenmacs loaded with 10.6.1.

Stells Blog via Wired

Install OSX on your Dell Mini 10v

Windows 7 may just have been launched, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a good Hackintosh guide, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Gizmodo has put together a comprehensive guide that details how to install OS X Snow Leopord on the Dell Mini 10v and everything is reported to work – sound – check, wifi-check, graphics-check and everything else too.

You’ll need an 8gb flash drive, and a working Apple computer to prepare everything, but in the end you’ll have a fully functioning Apple netbook for less than 300 pounds.

The Dell Mini 10v is available at Dell UK for £229.

Check out Gizmodo’s full step-by-step guide here.

The HP / Compaq Mini 311 runs Mac OSX

Getting tired of waiting for Apple’s entry in the netbook / net-tablet market? Well, you can build a 11.6 inch mini-laptop with high performance graphics and the ability to run OSX right now in the form of a ‘Hackintosh’d’ HP / Compaq Mini 311.

The Nvidia Ion powered HP / Compaq is currently selling in the states for $399 and usually ships withi Windows, but some EULA-disregarding OS X hackers of the world have have found a way to run the OS X operating system on the HP Mini 311.  After a little hacking, you’re left with a  thin and light OS X-powered laptop with an Intel Atom processor, an 11.6 inch (1366 x 768 pixel) display powered by the brawny NVDIA GeForce 9400M graphics chip.  The bad news is that  sound, WiFi, and sleep/resume functions are not yet functioning – but they may be soon if the geeks have their way.

We can wait to see the Compaq version of the HP Mini 311 hit UK shores – come on HP / Compaq!

via MyMacbookMini & Liliputing

Hackintosh Dell Mini 10V

Now that the Dell Mini 10v is shipping, people are working on installing OS X and turning their Mini 10v into Hackintosh netbooks. Anguish from the MyDellMini forums is working on his Hackintosh Mini 10v.

Wifi and Bluetooth, webcam and sleep all seem to work (need to disable USB BIOS Legacy Support) but sound not working yet.  More details after the break.

- OS X installs just fine.
- Text for the wizards (and consequently the buttons) get chopped off a little, but are still very usable.
- The initial conifguration wizard the first time you boot into OS X does not work. It doesn’t like the screen resolution.
- I tried using DellEFI 1.2a5, had limited success.
- I tried DellEFI 1.1, and it works well.
- Initially wifi wasn’t detected right away. I don’t know if there was an issue with DellEFI 1.1 or 1.2a5, or if it was just OS X being pokey about it.
- Bluetooth was recognized right away.
- The installer saw that I had a wifi card, so that was good.
- Once wifi was detected inside the actual OS, I was able to see and connect to wireless networks.