Print this article | E-mail this article | Comment on this article

Mac OS X for Intel Leaked, Cracked

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

August 11, 2005, 10:51 AM

A new variant of Mac OS X for Intel began surfacing on Internet sites early Thursday, boasting the ability to run on any x86 based computer. The leak has apparently been cracked to bypass the protections that prevent Apple's development kits from running on any unofficial system.

Although many believed it was only a matter of time before such a leak occurred, Apple had taken stringent measures to ensure the Intel version of its operating system stayed locked down, including purportedly using hardware-based security with a TPM chip, otherwise known as Palladium. Videos of Mac OS X on an Intel laptop were posted by a French Mac enthusiast site Wednesday.

Add a Comment (56 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

By ahmed81

posted May 25, 2006 - 5:42 AM

thnks for this

Score: 0

By riggits

edited Aug 12, 2005 - 1:01 AM

the torrent is named "VMWare_files_for_patched_Mac_OS_X_Tiger_Intel" and the file is named "tiger-x86.tar.bz2" and the bittorrent info_hash: 4d352e3d5c0b60dc49066c57838d12e57027a896

Enjoy!

Score: 0

By bob12321@gmail.com

edited Sep 13, 2005 - 12:24 AM

I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!! I WANT IT!!!

come on steve get off your lazy a** and just sell it i would buy it and wht the hell are you thinking you will make monyey off the hardware i want the OS you LAZY ****!!!

Score: 0

By Spelt

edited Aug 12, 2005 - 2:45 PM

Its a Unix based OS, so drivers shouldn't be a worry...

All i can say as a PC user is... BRING IT!!!

Score: 0

By robmanic44

posted Aug 13, 2005 - 9:57 AM

There is no way you're ever going to see an official release of OSX for PCs. It will appear in the wild, but that's it. Otherwise, Apple gets caught up in the same fix and repair daily routine as Microsoft.
You only have to look at what happen to Firefox to see what happens as use becomes more widespread. No one takes shots at losers.

Score: 0

By school1012

posted Aug 14, 2005 - 12:33 PM

That is so true. Well Put.

Score: 0

By GoHack

edited Aug 12, 2005 - 1:08 PM

I'd really be surprised if an Apple x86 OS, that could be used on any x86 based system right out of the box, would ever get on the market because of Microsoft. They'd fight it tooth and nail.

If, by any miracle, it ever does get on the market, I'd be the first to buy it. :)

Score: 0

By px208

edited Aug 12, 2005 - 7:40 AM

APPLE! LISTEN UP! (shouting intended)
SELL ME SOME DESIGN CENTRIC COMPONENTS LIKE A CASE AND PERIPHS FOR A REASONABLE PRICE AND I WILL BUY

SELL ME OSX FOR MY X86 DESKTOP AND I WILL BUY

SELL ME OSX SERVER FOR MY X86 SERVER AND I WILL BUY. (osx server requires no cals, integrates with MS networks and can even act as a windows NT 4 domain)

WE WANT TO BUY YOUR SOFTWARE! WE ARE TIRED OF MS, AND OSX WORKS. PLEASE STEVE JOBS, HEAR US LOWLY CONSUMERS BEGGING YOU FOR A RELEASE!

Score: 0

By ComputerCommando

edited Aug 12, 2005 - 3:47 PM

Considering that the new OSX is more closely based on FREE BSD i think it will be a nice addition to the variety of OS's that are available on the market. I think you will see many frusterated PC consumers investigating other options as this OS is more closely related the UNIX platform and will cause it competitor to step up to the plate.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:06 AM

Do you think caps lock made Stevie read your message any more or less?

Score: 0

By px208

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:28 AM

Oh god... I used all caps. Flog me please. I was being a smart ass, mmmmkkkk?

Score: 0

By MikeEx

edited Aug 12, 2005 - 2:55 AM

this proves that PC's are far superior to macs. PC can run every os there is now. GG :)
thus ending the no choice deal.

Score: 0

By Cael

edited Aug 11, 2005 - 10:02 PM

Oh please,
Anyone with a 'real' pc is not gonna be able to get drivers for their components for OS x. It's not even worth trying to install it.
Not that I see any reason why you would want to.

Score: 0

By tin

edited Aug 13, 2005 - 12:30 AM

You do realise it's FreeBSD in Mac clothing right? Many thousands of people use BSDs of all sorts on all kinds of hardware... There are "drivers" for lots of hardware devices. Part of the reason Apple switched to a BSD was to prevent having driver issues.
And as someone else pointed out, Apple do use normal hardware these days.
Oh, and the old "Apples are stable cause they are all the same" crap is really invalid now. Every model is different, and usually there are variations. Sure the spread isnt as wide as in the x86 world, but that's not purely because of Apple restricting hardware... It's more to do with the morons who buy Apple hardware.

BTW, I am interested in MacOS x86. I think it would be good to see in the market to give MS a real kick in the pants.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 7:41 AM

Huh? Really, it's not like Apple makes their own ethernet or video cards. They use the same vendors that HP and Dell do today for those parts.

There will be drivers.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:13 AM

But they will be limited and that is what he meant. No like the PC where I can goto the store and pick up ANY ehternet card where for the Mac you have to find the right one or there will be no drivers for it.

Score: 0

By Maestr0

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:00 AM

Yes, but there are WAY fewer choices. The reason macs run so smoothly is because there are not 7 million combinations of hardware that needs to be worked out.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:58 AM

I completely agree, but if you shop wisely it will be very likely that you can build a compatible machine.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:13 AM

Amen! Maestr0 hit the nail on the head!

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 6:47 PM

niiiiice....

Welcome to Microsoft's world, Apple.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:07 AM

That is what i'm thinking. Cannot wait until OSX has it's own DRIVER.CAB :P

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 12:15 PM

haha

Score: 0

By Julesword

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 5:55 PM

Theory: Apple intentionally made it easy to crack. Pirates will install OS X on their PCs, some will like it and buy Mac Minis. Causing Apple to finally gain market share.

Score: 0

By school1012

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 8:06 PM

Pirates don't buy, I will most likly get it downloaded hacked and all, and may even like it. But at the end of the day I still will not pay more for apple when I can do the same thing with windows for cheaper. Depends if they sell the OS seperate from hardware and at what price.

Score: 0

By Paridine

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 4:20 PM

You guys are so obnoxious.

First off, I must agree that YES everything can be cracked.

Second: Crackers, Hackers and Jackers make up a very small % of people that will be regularly using this software. The Firmware updates and most the hacking prevention is not added to keep out the hardcore hobbyists. That would be impossible. It is to keep out not so savy and general public

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 6:46 PM

"You guys are so obnoxious."

I'm sorry =/

Score: 0

By cranbers

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 3:57 PM

I think apple is a pretty cool company, I think apple really should just become a software company and release it for general pc use, I know microsoft would do everything in their power to destroy them where they stand, but heck I would use it instead of Microsoft, even Dell said they would use it. If Microsoft was as inovative as apple, they would be even more unstopable then they are. Rather then that they copy, cheat lie and steal. What a great american traditional company. I like Windows vista, it sure does have a look and feel of linux wraped up in Apple icons though, see for yourself in the reviews and maybe even download a copy. Apple os x tiger all the way!!! Go Microsoft!

Score: 0

By ArabianNight

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 8:38 PM

.....what does this have to do with anything????

Score: 0

By roj

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 3:17 PM

Welcome to the real world Apple, you've left your nice safe cozy little puddle for a real ocean.

Score: 0

By school1012

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 3:47 PM

DON'T SINK. WHAT DO I HEAR.... A LEAK........sinking already

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 1:11 PM

No big shocker here really... more proof that anything and everything can be cracked in a matter of time.

The real news will be the response from Apple... Will they recognize the desire from consumers and open up? Or will they get ticked and lock down even tighter? Time will tell.

Score: 0

By school1012

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 3:50 PM

If history repeats APPLE will lock down even more. They like to control everything, like a (monopoly)

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 6:49 PM

Technically, it's not a monopoly if all the company has a "monopoly" over is their own software. ;-)

But yeah... you're probably right. Then again, it was said that hell would freeze over before we would see a Mac OS running on Intel.

Score: 0

By Squire72

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 5:56 PM

Any company is entitled to determine how their products are distributed, and what the costs and condistions of usage are - this is completely acceptable and expected behaviour. It's okay to try and crush your competition, so long as you have viable competition...

The only time it becomes questionable is when a company that is already a monopoly uses tactics to prevent competitors from competing in a marketplace on their own merits.

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 1:46 PM

Actually, I doubt that Apple will respond with anything more than what would equate to a, "Whatever..."

I don't seriously think they are concerned with folks breaking the OS to run on regular Intel hardware. Severe limitiations still exist with regards to the operability/useability of such an environment. I think they'll pretty much leave the hobbyists alone on this one, since those really seem to be the only folks who will even look to do something like this.

Score: 0

By spineshank

edited Aug 11, 2005 - 12:44 PM

Actually my friend was able to crack this himself. It runs pretty decent actually. But theres no SATA support for it.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 6:50 PM

=(((((

Bummer. That's all I have.

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 12:06 PM

The real question is, "How does it run?"

If it runs like crap, what's the point? I doubt there are many drivers floating around for Mac x86.

After a few seconds ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the interface it'll get pretty dull, pretty quickly.

It would be interesting to see, though, what drivers they did include...might provide a glimpse into what they plan on possibly supporting in the future.

Score: 0

By ServerMechanic

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 12:01 PM

Hahahahaha.

That's great.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Aug 11, 2005 - 11:48 AM

People think they can secure an OS or a product?

THEY CAN'T. Sony, quit upgrading your firmware on PSP--Blu-Ray, quit wasting time inventing something that will be cracked in weeks if not days/hours. Apple quit boasting that it cannot happen. EVERYTHING CAN BE COPIED, EVERYTHING CAN BE CRACKED. This is one of the biggest things I read in computer books IN 1994. I wouldn't care except if everybody wastes needless time and money on worthless "copy protection" then we'll never get any real innovation here.

Score: 0

By gpcnz

edited Aug 11, 2005 - 10:14 PM

So true, so true.

Score: 0

By yleclerc

edited Aug 11, 2005 - 11:35 AM

This might be an option for user who do not want to be stuck with Windows. Finally a "true" compeditor to Microsoft Windows (Linux is still far behind with software applications/games.) Let's just hope that they take the hint that people are waiting for a viable option to Windows.

Score: 0

By school1012

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 3:52 PM

Why buy When I can download it for free. What do you think is going to happen with apple.

Score: 0

By spamspanker123

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 11:32 AM

Check out the video's, they are pretty neat.

I wonder if Mac has ever thought of making a Live-CD to convert Windows users to Mac...

Score: 0

By wicketr

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 11:19 AM

Ruh-roh.
They are most likely going to need to release it to the public for sale now. The demand will be too high to ignore, and if users are left to download it illegally (because that's the only way), they will do it.

Score: 0

By gareth342

edited Aug 11, 2005 - 9:31 PM

They can't.

They have no way of supporting the vast range of hardware out there. And as they're really losing money on each copy they sell, its not going to help. They make money on the boxes people - the software is a loss-leader to sell the hardware.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:10 AM

Well off the bat they cannot support everything the PC can, it will take them years!

Score: 0

By VikingBlade

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 11:42 AM

I doubt it. If I was Apple I know I wouldn't. As long as the goal of complete domination of hardware and software is still possible, they will continue to try.
(This is also an iso for VMware so it's not a real complete leak)

Score: 0

By Binkley Bloom

edited Aug 11, 2005 - 12:33 PM

Nah... I would be very suprised if they opened it up for any ol' hardware.

Think about this: How many average Joe's or Jane's do you know that are going to do this? Keep in mind here folks, Geeks run in tight circles, and not everyone is as technically adept as you are.... and that goes quadruple for Apple users. They use the platform because they don't HAVE to hack around with it.

Apple will certainly have a bit of work to keep piracy from going rampant with this, but for the most part, it will be a very small sub-section of the market that will do this, and not equate to very many lost sales at all.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 1:37 PM

It will if it comes with an installer.

I hate to tell you this, but it's the people that don't know how to use their computers that flood p2p etc and spread viruses etc all over the world.

The average AOL'er is probably already downloading.

Score: 0

By jbaltz69

posted Aug 11, 2005 - 10:56 AM

OMG, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT LEAKED AND GOT CRACKED!!!!

for sarcasm (see above)

Score: 0

By laughfactory

edited Aug 11, 2005 - 7:04 PM

My 2c... Apple recognized the only subtle way of sneaking into being a real OS competitor was to come in under Microsoft's radar. This is just the first phase of their plan. Next they'll go public with something to the effect that the public has demanded OSX for the PC, so they have no choice but to give in to public demand... thus it becomes an act of public service. Then Dell or HP or someone will announce that they'll provide OSX on their computers starting in 3rd Quarter (or thereabouts) 2006. These big computer companies will pay the cost of driver development and before you know it Microsoft is up sh*t creek, without a paddle wondering what the heck happened. Personally, although Windows works enough to get the job done it's about time that Microsoft got put in its place... well, it's been being put in it's place on other fronts by Yahoo and Google for some time now (Google Earth), Yahoo Messenger... The fact that Microsoft calls the next Windows, "Vista" is just a good forwarning that it'll be a POS like "Millenium" was. Anytime they get too 'cute' on us we know we need to worry. They would've been better off to call it Windows Longhorn, or simply Windows 2006. Personally, I believe that the market appreciation for OSX is massive, but no one has wanted to by a PowerPC based computer that can't run all the rest of their favorite games and applications... that's why I've stayed with Windows this long time. Given the option I'd love the idea of a dual boot OSX/Windows machine... and then give it a few years and developers would port everything and begin writing apps for OSX as it became the dominant OS in the market. I think that this could be one of the most brilliant moves EVER in our modern business world... at least if Apple doesn't screw it up.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Aug 12, 2005 - 9:11 AM

Tiger...rawr.

Score: 0

By Thor IV

edited Aug 12, 2005 - 1:28 PM

This is all good news!

I realy hope this is one step closer to OSX PC release, I would be willing to pay atleast twice as much as Windows license to run OSX on my computer! And I would PAY!!

If it is ever released for PC, drivers for most hardware will be available in no time.

And Microsoft will be dead in a few years... :D

Score: 0

By diablo2211

edited Aug 13, 2005 - 3:07 PM

I want it.please!
PLEASE!
I'll pay double then WIN.
HEll, I'll port my programs on it for free!

Score: 0

By DeathNACan

edited Sep 15, 2005 - 3:08 PM

I like my PC, I like Windows. But then again, I like Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Big Monoplies, paying $159.95 for material that cost $5.00 to make and sliding backwards down a banaster with razor blades stuck in the top into a tub of rubbing alchol while nude from the waste down. Seriously, I have an MCSE, A+, Network +, and both Compaq and HP APS and would be glad to see the Big M fall to some serious competition. Ok, you can flame me now:)

Score: 0

Nov 20 - 6:13 PM ET Microsoft says it 'has always preferred' DRM-free content

Nov 20 - 5:48 PM ET With the petaflop barrier broken, is it time to change the benchmark?

Nov 20 - 4:17 PM ET Actors' union threatens to strike over Internet TV

Nov 20 - 3:43 PM ET Mozilla prepares for bad times, and an audit

Nov 20 - 3:11 PM ET First beta tests of AOL mail synchronization

Nov 20 - 2:44 PM ET Will iPhone and G1 owners sit still for full-length TV shows?

Nov 20 - 1:54 PM ET Microsoft's IP chief: 'Information wants to be free' is a 'disaster'

Nov 20 - 12:00 PM ET Google axes its Lively metaverse experiment

Nov 20 - 11:46 AM ET Zune Pass lets users keep some of their downloads

Nov 20 - 11:43 AM ET Europe's ambitious 'single access point' for cultural media provides porn