Get the Lowest Prices anywhere on Macs, iPads and Apple Watches: Apple Price Guides updated February 22nd
 

RSS
 
–
A
+

Hack re-enables Atom processor compatibility for Mac OS X 10.6.2

By Sam Oliver
Friday, November 20, 2009, 04:55 am PT (07:55 am ET)

Hackers have circumvented the changes in Mac OS X 10.6.2 to allow the latest upgrade to Apple's Snow Leopard to run on netbooks with Intel Atom processors.

When Apple released Mac OS X 10.6.2 earlier this month, Intel Atom support was missing from the release. Though no Apple-sanctioned hardware uses the Atom processor, some low-cost netbook users would use the hack to install OS X on their systems.

The hack applies only to a select number of "Hackintosh" users, as not all who install Mac OS X on unauthorized machines use netbooks with Intel Atom processors. Atom is a low-voltage microprocessor used in inexpensive portable computers.

According to MacWorld, support for Mac OS X 10.6.2 has been brought to the Atom processor thanks to a complicated hack that requires use of the Terminal and replacing the kernel of the operating system.

As developer builds of Mac OS X 10.6.2 were released, the status of Atom support fluctuated, leaving hackers wondering Apple's purpose.

Still unknown is whether Apple actually had any intent in disabling Atom processor support. It's possible the situation could be much like the cat-and-mouse game with Palm, where Apple released minor updates to iTunes that served only to break compatibility with the Pre smartphone. Or, since Apple likely does not test its software on products it does not ship, the Cupertino, Calif., company may have accidentally broken compatibility with Atom processors.
Topics:
(105) Comments
 

Unbeatable Deals from AppleInsider & Apple's Top Authorized Resellers

$150-$225 off every 2018 15

SAVE $225.00 - $150-$225 off every 2018 15" MacBook Pro with Vega graphics

Apple Watches as low as $269 with free expedited shipping

SAVE $400.00 - Apple Watches as low as $269 with free expedited shipping

Apple's current 12-inch MacBook on sale for $799 with free expedited shipping

SAVE $500.00 - Apple's current 12-inch MacBook on sale for $799 with free expedited shipping

Funcl AI earbuds, a budget-friendly AirPods alternative, are on sale for $48.98

SAVE $30.00 - Funcl AI earbuds, a budget-friendly AirPods alternative, are on sale for $48.98

Apple HomePods on sale for $249

SAVE $100.12 - Apple HomePods on sale for $249

Up to $250 off 2018 15

SAVE $250.00 - Up to $250 off 2018 15" MacBook Pros with no tax outside NY & NJ and 0% financing