EFI-X Unboxed

[Kaido]

Possibly the future of the OSx86 project:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/0...x-device-gets-unboxed/

Flashable, sits on a motherboard USB header, kexts load from the unit itself rather than the hard drive, etc. Right now works on certain Gigabyte motherboards (DS3L, cough, cough). The company is being run in a very interesting way, so I'll be interested to see how they actually handle getting these things out. I know a LOT of money has been invested (mil+) and that it's all being done overseas so as to minimize Apple's interference. Current compatibility list here: (edit: EFI-X guy said this is out of date...stay tuned for more in the future!)

http://www.efi-x.com/index.php...id=26&language=english

Edit: talked to an EFI-X guy, he said there are NO legal hurdles, they are simply evaluating different distributor offers right now. Also, the chip has it's own processor onboard...I'll let them post more details about what it does aside from EFI emulation, but needless to say it's quite awesome :thumbsup:

 

[Kaido]

Quickie video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUROoHixCQ8

Comes with the chip and a short extension cord if you need it.

 

[TridenT]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Quickie video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUROoHixCQ8

Comes with the chip and a short extension cord if you need it.

Can it be any darker please? I REALLY LOVE THE DARK.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555

Originally posted by: Kaido
Quickie video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUROoHixCQ8

Comes with the chip and a short extension cord if you need it.

Can it be any darker please? I REALLY LOVE THE DARK.

Not mine. I'll do an HD version next week tho

 

[ViRGE]

What would be the purpose in using this over a software solution such as EFI_v8?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
What would be the purpose in using this over a software solution such as EFI_v8?

Step 1: Attach EFI-X to USB header on motherboard (permanently)
Step 2: Insert retail Leopard disc and install
Step 3: Download all updates from Apple

No patches. No modded kernels. The $120 chip essentially turns your computer into a real Mac. All of the kexts (drivers) for their supported hardware is located on the chip itself, so it's all loaded pre-boot. The EFI emulation is done pre-boot. You basically skip the whole OSx86 project - it simply acts like a real Mac

 

[randomlinh]

wow... if that works as advertised... man.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
wow... if that works as advertised... man.

It does, I know of 3 people who have received theirs so far. I mean, you can get pretty dang close with a DIY Hackintosh, but just being able to plug this in and have retail Leopard work..that's amazing!

 

[Kaido]

Another video, this time with the boot screen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN2R2Gzu7AI

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: ViRGE
What would be the purpose in using this over a software solution such as EFI_v8?

Step 1: Attach EFI-X to USB header on motherboard (permanently)
Step 2: Insert retail Leopard disc and install
Step 3: Download all updates from Apple

No patches. No modded kernels. The $120 chip essentially turns your computer into a real Mac. All of the kexts (drivers) for their supported hardware is located on the chip itself, so it's all loaded pre-boot. The EFI emulation is done pre-boot. You basically skip the whole OSx86 project - it simply acts like a real Mac

I see. Doesn't this leave you at their mercy though for driver updates? As disorganized as OSX86 is, at least if someone produces a new driver you can use it right away.

 

[alevasseur14]

Wow. That's looking pretty excellent right about now.

Do I remember hearing something about it not beinga available in the States though? I'd really consider building a machine with that if I could get it.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: alevasseur14
Wow. That's looking pretty excellent right about now.

Do I remember hearing something about it not beinga available in the States though? I'd really consider building a machine with that if I could get it.

They're in the process of selecting a US/Canada distributor. If you really want one now, PM me.

 

[randomlinh]

so... is there a simplified list now of hardware for this baby that will work flawlessly? heh

edit: haha, never went to their site.. whoops no 8600 love? dang

 

[alfa147x]

i wish it were cheaper

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
so... is there a simplified list now of hardware for this baby that will work flawlessly? heh

edit: haha, never went to their site.. whoops no 8600 love? dang

Their HCL is outdated, I think they have too few people doing too many things - managing production, shipping, lining up distribution, writing code, etc. Website is low on the list haha.

 

[Kaido]

Onboard Intel RAID will NOT be supported. Apple Software RAID will be, official Apple RAID cards will be, other stuff like Highpoint will be. Bootable RAID is a future feature as well, including bootable Software RAID. Aquamac has already done this on a Hackintosh and it is both fast and solid:

http://aquamac.proboards106.co...play&thread=613&page=1

 

[Zaap]

Interesting, to say the least!

Now the question for me is, how long before some other group of hackers figure out how to emulate this and make it even more simple, and cheaper?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap
Interesting, to say the least!

Now the question for me is, how long before some other group of hackers figure out how to emulate this and make it even more simple, and cheaper?

They won't. It has an embedded processor built-in...it's basically a micro-computer. It's not something you can just copy to a USB stick and go to town with, unfortunately.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
I see. Doesn't this leave you at their mercy though for driver updates? As disorganized as OSX86 is, at least if someone produces a new driver you can use it right away.

Yes and no. Theoritically that shouldn't ever be required - it would basically take Apple dropping EFI for it not to work. So in theory, it should never be an issue. Unlike Hackintosh, it has worked all the way up to the developer 10.5.5 release without requiring any updates. Also, they have a pretty good team and hire professional coders to write drivers for them, so I'm not too worried about it

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: randomlinh
so... is there a simplified list now of hardware for this baby that will work flawlessly? heh

edit: haha, never went to their site.. whoops no 8600 love? dang

Their HCL is outdated, I think they have too few people doing too many things - managing production, shipping, lining up distribution, writing code, etc. Website is low on the list haha.

doesn't matter I guess, I priced out a machine and I couldn't get what I wanted under $500 (trying to fit quad core w/ 4GB in there, hehe). I know, I'm trying for a bit of a miracle.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Zaap
Interesting, to say the least!

Now the question for me is, how long before some other group of hackers figure out how to emulate this and make it even more simple, and cheaper?

They won't. It has an embedded processor built-in...it's basically a micro-computer. It's not something you can just copy to a USB stick and go to town with, unfortunately.

Guess I spoke too soon...one hacker said he has already cracked it, although he's not going to release it:

http://forum.insanelymac.com/i...view=findpost&p=889384

 

[alevasseur14]

Thanks for the heads up, Kaido. Really interesting. If I had the funds to throw together another computer right now, I'd take you up on it. As things are, I'll just have to keep this nifty device in mind.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: alevasseur14
Thanks for the heads up, Kaido. Really interesting. If I had the funds to throw together another computer right now, I'd take you up on it. As things are, I'll just have to keep this nifty device in mind.

I'll do a review of it next week. My chip is on the Tuesday run, so as long as customs doesn't hold it up, I should have it by the weekend

 

[alevasseur14]

Nice!

 

[alevasseur14]

Kaido,

MacNN had an article on EFi-X today. Not a whole lot of news there but they say it works pretty good.

http://www.macrumors.com/2008/...-os-x-to-boot-on-a-pc/