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OS: OS X 10.6.3 Retail Disc - $27.98
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P - $138.99
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache - $274.99
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS7000C-ALCU - $22.99
Graphics: EVGA 512-P3-1140-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - $119.99
Memory: Crucial 4GB kit (2GBx2) DDR2 PC2-6400 4-4-4-12 Unbuffered NON-ECC DDR2-800 2.0V - $87.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s - $59.99
Network: TRENDnet TEG-PCITXR 10/ 100/ 1000/ 2000Mbps PCI Copper Gigabit Network Adapter - $13.99
Optical: Samsung DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - $26.99
Case: Antec Three Hundred - $49.99
Power Supply: Antec TP-550 550W - $89.99
Total: $913.88 excluding tax and shipping
Hackintosh Project: Complete
Finally got around to building the Faux-Mac, or as others are calling it, the Hackintosh. In the last few years, much has changed in the initial installation of the Mac OS. While there were many coding updates (i.e. kexts) that needed to be made, currently the process is so streamlined, that even a bumbling technodummy should be able to succeed in building their own Hack.
In comparison to "legit" Macs, the money saved makes the DIY project a formidable option, for you can build a "top of the line" Hack for under 1k. What does "top of the line" mean you ask, well, the Hackintosh would probably rival the top of the line G5.
The preferred method a couple of years ago was using the Lifehacker installation, which was, in it's time, extremely easy and straightforward...though it only worked, for the most part, on one specific Gigabyte motherboard. Currently, the famed method is using the Cartri Mac Edition Bios method. It's actually a pretty brilliant method and does away with a lot of the post installation modifications. It uses a bios flash that allows the end user to install a retail version of OS X...albeit with a custom made bootloader. It's what I used with this install and you can be up and running in a little over an hour.
Questions? Feel free....
Added 11/16/2010: Lifehacker has a new method of installation out. Using iBoot, Multibeast and the retail OS X installation disc.
Check it, here.
Dell Mini 9. Boot-132 and retail install of 10.5.6 leopard. Mimo 7" USB displayLink monitor used for spanning. Works great. BUS powered.
My setup as of March 7th, 2008.
Check the notes for information.
Also, the HP1540n NEEDS an operating system where I can drive it with the Mac's keyboard and mouse by moving them to that screen, akin to Synergy on the PC. Are there any ideas? I wanted to do Teleport, but the Hackintosh disks I've tried don't work out, unless someone can recommend a good one. Any other ideas for an operating system to use here?