Clover -> OpenCore... On Working Systems? Why?

[wstrohm]

So I have built 4 computers, all work fine all use Clover. What could I expect to "happen" in a positive way if I switched to OpenCore? i.e. it ain't broke, so why fix it?

I promise to read all comments... thanks!

 

[craighazan]

So I have built 4 computers, all work fine all use Clover. What could I expect to "happen" in a positive way if I switched to OpenCore? i.e. it ain't broke, so why fix it?

I promise to read all comments... thanks!

that’s a good question!, sure if it ain’t broke why fix it. But don’t you want to experiment?. I too have 4 Hackintosh and all work great with Clover, but I want to try with OC. Yes I have been failing so far with my WIP, but I know I will succeed, another tick for my Hackintosh CV.

 

[Henties]

Clover is a hack to get a Hackintosh up and running by whatever means necessary, whereas opencore is a boot loader doing it's work exclusively in the environment as per the UEFI specification, leaving the underlying operating system, whichever that may be, for which it provides the necessary startup code, completely untouched. The way to go, at least as far as I am concerned.
For me there is no turning back to Clover, besides updates to kexts as well as new kexts, are not guaranteed by the opencore developers to continue working in a Clover environment, as they are not anymore tested for compatibility with Clover.
I assume sooner or later everyone would have to switch to opencore. To me the arrival of Big Sur seemed the right moment to do so because Clover can only boot macOS versions still using pre-linked kernels. The last macOS released by Apple with this particular technology has been Catalina. For mainly security reasons I guess, Apple has dropped this technology, from Big Sur altogether, therefore goodbye Clover, and welcome opencore.

Greetings Henties

 

[wstrohm]

Thank you both for your comments. Perhaps I was not clear. I understand that if I want to continue updating my MacOS versions OpenCore would become necessary for the reasons you stated. My question was:

What could I expect to "happen" in a positive way if I switched to OpenCore?

meaning if I switched NOW, on my existing working computers with their existing MacOS versions (10.3.6, 10.14.6, 10.15.6), not in a later MacOS in the future.

 

[pastrychef]

I've been using OpenCore since around version 0.5.8. Honestly, I haven't seen any advantages or disadvantages of using either bootloader over the other. Both Clover and OpenCore work.

My reason for switching to OpenCore was to get myself accustomed to what appears to be the de facto standard for hackintoshing in the future.

 

[wstrohm]

pastrychef, thanks; I think your one data point answered my question. I did take the "Open Classroom" online video course on Terminal, since I have always just "slid by" using tonymac's (and RehabMan's) guides where Terminal was required. Being more familiar with Terminal seems to be a pre-requisite for switching to OpenCore.

 

[pastrychef]

pastrychef, thanks; I think your one data point answered my question. I did take the "Open Classroom" online video course on Terminal, since I have always just "slid by" using tonymac's (and RehabMan's) guides where Terminal was required. Being more familiar with Terminal seems to be a pre-requisite for switching to OpenCore.

No, you can easily make the switch to OpenCore without ever having to launch Terminal.

I think that even OpenCore Configurator has reached a point where it's reliable enough for everyday use. This should go a long way to easing the switch from Clover to OpenCore.

 

[UtterDisbelief]

I've been using OpenCore since around version 0.5.8. Honestly, I haven't seen any advantages or disadvantages of using either bootloader over the other. Both Clover and OpenCore work.

My reason for switching to OpenCore was to get myself accustomed to what appears to be the de facto standard for hackintoshing in the future.

pastrychef, thanks; I think your one data point answered my question. I did take the "Open Classroom" online video course on Terminal, since I have always just "slid by" using tonymac's (and RehabMan's) guides where Terminal was required. Being more familiar with Terminal seems to be a pre-requisite for switching to OpenCore.

Terminal, as you discovered, is more widespread than just macOS. I still use my Linux Pocket Guide for help with obscure commands.

As for the advantages right now of OpenCore, it's as @pastrychef said, a useful learning curve for when we are compelled to use it. So far there are no obvious reasons why you have to change until Big Sur. All software - including that tricky iMessage integration - works just as it should with Clover.

Besides, OpenCore is still in Beta and changes with each point-release - look at OpenRuntime and OpenCanopy. One is a re-jigged support file the other the beginnings of the graphical menu most of us want. Once it has settled-down we can really get to grips with it and not be continually "chasing the soap".

 

[wstrohm]

Once it has settled-down we can really get to grips with it and not be continually "chasing the soap"

Actually I'm sort of infamous for "dropping the soap."

 

[pastrychef]

Besides, OpenCore is still in Beta and changes with each point-release - look at OpenRuntime and OpenCanopy. One is a re-jigged support file the other the beginnings of the graphical menu most of us want. Once it has settled-down we can really get to grips with it and not be continually "chasing the soap".

I think that OpenCore will always be in "beta". I don't think that's a reason to avoid using it. It's very solid, maybe more so than Clover.