You’ll Want to Get Your Hands on This Hackintosh

For the uninitiated, a Hackintosh is a non-Apple computer that runs macOS, Apple's operating system. Building a Hackintosh involves installing macOS on hardware that is not officially supported by Apple, which can be a bit of a challenge. While macOS is designed to run exclusively on Apple's own hardware, enthusiasts and tech-savvy users have developed methods to make it work, more or less, on a wider range of computers.

People choose to build Hackintosh systems for various reasons. One primary motivation is cost. Apple's hardware, while known for its quality and design, can be relatively expensive. By building a Hackintosh, users can create a macOS-based system with similar or even superior performance to Apple's offerings at a lower cost. This enables individuals who appreciate macOS but have budget constraints to experience the ecosystem without the premium price tag.

Another reason for building a Hackintosh is customization. Apple's lineup of computers is limited in terms of hardware configurations, and users who desire specific components or capabilities may find it feasible to build a custom system. This allows for flexibility in choosing components such as processors, graphics cards, and storage, tailoring the system to specific needs, whether it is for content creation, gaming, or other specialized tasks.

YouTuber iketsj has long been wishing for a handheld version of the Mac Mini. But with no official product in sight, iketsj decided to build a custom machine. The Mac Mini hardware is a bit pricey to scavenge for parts, however. So for these reasons, a LattePanda Alpha-based handheld Hackintosh system was designed and built.

The LattePanda Alpha is a powerful single-board computer, with an Intel Core M3-8100Y processor and 8 GB of RAM. It was designed to be able to run Windows, so it should be expected to handle macOS just fine as well — if you can get it running, that is. With the help of Dortania's OpenCore Install Guide, iketsj was able to get macOS Ventura installed on the LattePanda Alpha without too much trouble.

To complete the build, a 5.5-inch display was connected to the computer. A custom PCB was designed to expose power and reset buttons, and also give access to USB ports. Finally, an Akruvia Una keyboard/mouse combo was included as an input device. The Akruvia Una has a 48-key keyboard and an analog joystick for a mouse. It may not be a great typing experience, but hey, it works, right? The entire system is powered via a USB-C port.

As it currently stands, the components of the handheld computer are attached to 3D-printed plates, with holes for the mount points. There is plenty of free space, which makes it easy to build and debug, and also helps with cooling, but it does not make for great aesthetics. Certainly, no one would ever mix up this device, and its rough edges, with an official Apple product. However, the design of the system looks solid. With some better 3D-printed parts, and a more compact design, this handheld could be the non-existent Apple product that many people have been dreaming of.