Is there a shell to make Windows XP look and feel like OS X?

There are many shells out there, and as I am getting closer and closer to moving over to Mac ... and now that Apple has released Safari for Windows, I started to wonder if there is an application / shell that would make Windows XP look and function like OS X?

Better yet, is there a way to load OS X on a Windows machine?

 

This post would be more appropriate in the Windows forum.

But to answer anyway, there's a great dock application called ObjectDock availabe for Windows, maybe a few full skins available from WindowBlinds. But your definitley not going to get an identical or even close representation.

 

Nicholie nailed it.

I'm using a Panther skin with WindowBlinds in XP now. It looks and feels "a little" more like Mac OS X ... but it's still 100 percent XP.

 

Thanks Nicholie, for the links and for the reply.

I wasn't sure as to where to post this, and figured that under the Mac forums was best, but I see your point.

True, I don't expect to get an identical representation ... but was hoping to get something that would give me the "feeling" of Mac OS.

Again, thank you for your reply and the links.

 

And thank you, too, JerryJ.

 

There is actually one much better than windows blinds. I just can't remember what it's called...

edit::

http://www.flyakiteosx.com/

 

Wow. Thats in-depth. I'd go with that one.

 

I'm pretty sure actually loading OS X on a windows machine is extremely difficult, not to mention illegal (can someone confirm?)

 

It can be done, there's a number of groups doing it and even a wiki about it. It does break the EULA, but Apple hasn't gone after anyone.

 

Consider it confirmed. The OS X EUL says that you are only allowed to install it on Apple hardware.

OS X has been hacked to run from a windows machine, but because it's being forced through the BIOS it runs like crap and has errors in every other application. Overall, considering the time spent even getting it to load, it's just not worth it to run OS X on non-Apple machinery.

 

Im writing this from hackintosh and ill tell you it runs like real mac. Infact, real mac is my laptops components + fancy casing.There are no errors whatsoever
.I dont understand what do you mean by its being forced through bios?

 

I doubt that it runs like a real Mac OS X on your PC, Greven.

Running Mac OS X, as system_159 said, is possible. However, it is hard, time-consuming and many features of Mac OS X aren't available. I've never tried it myself, but I've heard even things as simple as WiFi don't work under a hacked Mac OS X.

That said, try out Flyakite OS X. Its a free "Mac OS X simulator" on your PC. I think its better off you do this than hack into Mac OS X on your PC. Or you can just switch to Mac if you love it so much .

 

In my case it everything works except camera for which I don't care anyway and yes, it works just like my friends Macbook.

 

Whether or not it works is irrelevant. It is illegal since there is no way to obtain a copy of OS X legally that will run on Intel. The current shrinkwrapped version of Tiger available is PPC only. The only way to get an Intel version is to buy a Mac with it installed.

 

i concur with Greven, ive seen it done and it doesnt matter about mac hardware or pc hardware its all the same.

heres a writing on it back in 05
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/commentary/cultofmac/2005/08/68501

Mac people need to understand that hackers and crackers are all pc people. That culture and underground movement can do anything

***... edit: i should say...
just google it and you'll find all kinds of info how to install (instead of using word h4ck) OSX on a pc platform.

*Disclaimer: Any persons using the softwear or operating system that is not used or installed as intended by the manufacturer, publisher and/or authors will not pass go and not collect two hundred dollars and they will go straight to jail and end up in Paris Hiltons cell.
hehe



.

 

You can try RocketDock for a dock just like the one in OS X. I use it and it's really cool; cleans up desktop clutter.

 

Yes, difficult is right. I once did it on VMWare and it was a whole day of fustration. Once I booted, it was too slow to even test properly(like Vista on a 128mb machine). But I did like it.

And yes it's against Apple's license Agreement. I just have a hobby of doing near impossible tasks.

 

I use flyakite

It's really really good, You can do a lot with it, pretty much like the normal mac, it customizes all your icons etc which is cool.

Also changes boot screen and everything the mac has.

 

Thats going to change come October though.

Also if you get Tiger Cd's with all Intel Macs, there will be a few of those floating around aswell.

Since the HW is similar, only real hurdle is BIOS on PC's instead of EFI. Although that hasn't made MAC's much worse at running windows has it? I think i'm going to side with Greven and say its not as difficult as some are suggesting.

And please lets not throw around statements like "the EULA makes it illegal". We're consumers after all and should espouse our fair use rights, which in some regions would supercede the EULA terms of many products.

Cashmonee is right though, the lack of retail copies of (Intel) OSX makes it quite likely anyone running OSX on a PC is breaking the LAW. Since its unlikely they bought an Intel Mac, threw it away, and installed the copy of OSX that came with it on their PC.

Then again, the Darwin awards prove people do the most idiotic things

 

flyakite/ windowblinds - XP skinning. as stated before, flyakite skins bootscreens and login screens but leaves the buttons in the top right because it plants itself as a native theme. windowblinds moves it to the top left, but uses up system resources by running services.
object/ rocketdock - replaces quicklaunch/taskbar functionality
yahoo widget engine - if you want widgets. Samurize is better, but not as easy.
finderbar 1.4 - customizable menubar emulation
tiger icons - for your dock shortcuts. use an online .png to .ico convertor if you need .ico

there are spotlight clones, but most of them suck or slow you down. Google Desktop Search perhaps?

quicksilver is not bundled software, but you can get a windows imitation with Launchy or sign up to be a beta tester of Kodachi.

Safari for Windows - i don't recommend it.
iTunes/Quicktime - there are better options...

see http://www.osx-e.com/ for the more esoteric pieces of emulation.

 

mikeymike,

I love your disclaimer ... but I have to point out, if falling in a jail cell with Paris Hilton is what comes to those who break the law of attempting to install OS X on to their Windows machines, I would say that is one good reward!

 

Of course, since it's prohibited by EULA to install OS X on non Apple hardware, I don't recommend it. I wouldn't call it illegal though, there are no laws about installing OS X on non-Apple hardware

 

hah, yey i guess that may not be a bad thing if you like her.

But back on topic, i think StarDock is the best out of all of them. So many diff types of docks, docklets, themes, objects, icons, widgets(kudos to Konfabulator for this invention), but most of all the entire skinning world all looks up to the Stardock open shell system and its customization. Also, the support is incredible! Really amazing support from skinners who share their designs for free.

If you havent seen it check out Stardocks skinning website:
http://wincustomize.com/index.aspx?c=1


lastly, a lil bit of tidbit..... Its was Stardock who virtually designed all of Vista's UI interface for microsoft

 

EULA challenges in court have gone both ways. Some were upheld others not.
The point is that currently those running OS X on PCs are likely doing it illegally, so at the moment it is not an option and has no place for discussion here. Please keep this thread to modifying Windows to look like OS X and away from running OS X on non-Apple hardware.