What You Need to Know Before Build A Hackintosh

I remember the first time when I was tried to Hackintoshing my PC. At that time I try to install Mac OS Snow Leopard on my PC. And the funny thing was I spend more than a week just to make it run on my PC.

At that time, the spec of my PC was different from the PC that now I use for experimenting Hackintosh. Yeah! Quitely mess at that time haha. I’ve tried different method vanilla and distro. And I finally found the safest way is by doing a vanilla install.

However, I’ve learned a lot for using Mac distro. But if you ask me the best way to Hackintoshing your computer? I would love to recommend vanilla method and its better, do it yourself.

For those familiar with Hackintosh, you know what I mean. If you’re not, you might think I’ve misspelled “Mackintosh.” If you don’t know what Hackintosh is or are new to it and want to learn how to build your first machine, this post will explain what Hackintosh is.

Before discussing which hardware to consider for building a Hackintosh, there are a few key points you should be aware of.

What Is Hackintosh? (# Easypedia)

Alriiight, I will try to explain it in an easy way so everyone will nail it.

Hackintosh refers to a standard desktop or laptop PC typically designed for Windows or Linux, but some users (Hackintosher) modify it to install and run macOS.

They use a bootloader application such as Clover, Chameleon to create a PBR (Partition Boot Record) to boot the Macintosh operating system. They usually use a GUID Partition Table (GPT) format layout. Even tho this method also work on Master Boot Record (MBR) layout as well (Not recommended).

The bootloader e.g clover/chameleon has several files inside the PBR partition. Like kernel extension (kext), config.plist, etc. The most essential kext used is FakeSMC.kext For easy explanation; this ‘kext‘ make the macOS think that it installed on a real Macintosh computer.

Usually, some other additional kext added to it to make the operating system work properly e.g the audio, ethernet, wifi, etc. For better performance, Hackintosher usually choose the computer hardware part that similar t real mac e.g iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook Pro, MacPro.

Stuff  You Need to Install Hackintosh On PC

# A hackintosh ready desktop/Lapto PC

Your PC must be compatible to install macOS, with at least a Core 2 Duo processor or higher. While older versions may run on machines with less than a Core 2 Duo, newer versions of macOS will not work.

You can search online for brands of laptops or motherboards that are known to work well for Hackintosh, as several blogs and websites offer helpful reviews and resources.

Personally, I love using MSi for the motheboard. Most of them proved work fantastic for Hackintosh. Check it yourself here at amzn.to/2zq0KIe to find yourself. (That’s my Amazon affiliate link, for more info check my affiliate disclosure below this post about affiliate links)

# Compatible VGA/Graphics card

One most important or you can say essential hardware part to make you succeed installing macOS on your PC is Graphics card/GPU.

Check Google for research, or read the post featuring a list of functional graphics cards based on my and some friends’ experiences online. You can find the lists here: Working Graphics Cards For Hackintosh [Case Study]

Researching can save you time if your Graphics card is incompatible with Hackintosh. And avoid getting occupied with patching kexts, etc. Other hardware components, such as audio, Ethernet cards, and Wi-Fi, are relatively easy to get working, provided they are compatible with Hackintosh.

# macOS Installer App and how to make a proper bootable usb to install it (Vanilla method)

Once you’re prepared, you’ll need a macOS Installer App to create a bootable USB for installing macOS on your PC. You can ask a friend with a real Mac, as they typically have the installer. Alternatively, you can search online; it’s likely available somewhere.

You can read posts in this blog on how to create bootable USB for Hackintosh

• Here if you want to learn create it from Windows How to Make Hackintosh Bootable USB Drive From Windows
• Create it from a running Hackintosh or real Mac computers How to Make Mac OS Sierra Bootable Usb Drive With Disk Utility
• For macOS Bigsur and Monterey: How to Install macOS Big Sur & Monterey on Hackintosh PC with Opencore – Easy Way!
• Create macOS Monterey from Windows: How to Make macOS Monterey USB Installer on Windows PC Easily!

Is Hackintosh Illegal? FAQ

Is Hackintosh illegal? is most asked question on the internet.

So, It depends on the purpose I think. If you’re building it for personal or educational reasons and to understand how the Macintosh operating system works, then it’s generally acceptable.

Because, you know, This expensive Apple computer remains costly even on the second-hand market. And the only way to learn the Mac OS system is by Hackintoshing a PC.

But! if your purposes are trying to make money from it by build a mass Hackintosh PC and make a company called ‘crappytosh‘ or whatever. And selling it away. Then, you are really looking for trouble. It’s definitely an illegal practice.

Conclusion

You always can find other useful post related to Hackintosh stuff in this blog. I will try to keep posting about it when I learn something new and share it with you guys.

I know this post is far far from perfect. That’s why for you Hackintosher who have a better experience, I really appreciate it if you like to share with us here.

Please feel free to correct me if I’ve made any mistakes or left out important information in this post. That’s all for now. I hope you find this post useful for a good reason. Thank you for reading.

Keep calm and keep learning by googling. I mean .. learn by doing 😉

Peace!