Looking For Cheapest Hackintosh Build (Or Laptop)

[JayMacattack]

Hi guys,

I am new to the community. Glad to be a part of it. I had a question, I am looking to get in on the Hackintosh game. I don't have a very big budget unfortunately so what do you reckon I start off with? Custom Desktop build or a laptop? What would be cheaper and more reliable? I just need it for normal use. Nothing too intensive.

Thanks!

 

[e-troc]

I recently installed Mojave on an HP 8300 SSF that I had built from a barebones system. Extremely smooth both in installation and operation using this guide:

[Guide] HP Elite 8300 & 6300 Pro (all form factors) using Clover UEFI hotpatch

Introduction Welcome to my HP 8300 & 6300 (all form factors) macOS Mojave guide. The inspiration to get one of these Desktops came from @trs96 and his great guides that he created for macOS High Sierra & macOS Sierra. These Desktops are excellent machines that are both affordable and powerful...

www.tonymacx86.com

Next time I need a cheap desktop system I will try a Dell 7010, which also looks excellent:

[Guide] Install High Sierra or Mojave on the Dell Optiplex 7010 / 9010 Desktop PC - Revision II

The Dell Optiplex CustoMac Mini Desktop Comments This guide for the Dell Optiplex 7010/9010 is a complete description of 7 steps necessary to get your system working with macOS High Sierra or Mojave. These business desktops are Ivy Bridge based and have the Intel Q77 Express chipset. Dell...

www.tonymacx86.com

 

[theruck]

you can get between below $200 with the dell optiplex 7010

 

[JayMacattack]

you can get between below $200 with the dell optiplex 7010

Have you personally used it or have seen it in action using Hackintosh?

 

[theruck]

yes i did the USFF version https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/guide-dell-optiplex-7010-usff.264815/#post-1932511

 

[JayMacattack]

yes i did the USFF version https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/guide-dell-optiplex-7010-usff.264815/#post-1932511

That's great. What do you think about HP ProBook 450 G3? I have this machine collecting dust, may as well put it to some use. https://bytesout.com/best-hackintosh-laptop/ they seem to rank it moderately, not sure what to make of it. Do you think it would be a good fit for hackintosh?

 

[theruck]

[Guide] HP ProBook/EliteBook/Zbook using Clover UEFI hotpatch

Overview The purpose of this guide is to provide a step-by-step guide to installing Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite on the ProBook/EliteBook/Zbook equipped with Intel graphics. Note: For Broadwell and Skylake hardware, you must install at least 10.11. Broadwell support in...

www.tonymacx86.com

 

[JayMacattack]

[Guide] HP ProBook/EliteBook/Zbook using Clover UEFI hotpatch

Overview The purpose of this guide is to provide a step-by-step guide to installing Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite on the ProBook/EliteBook/Zbook equipped with Intel graphics. Note: For Broadwell and Skylake hardware, you must install at least 10.11. Broadwell support in...

www.tonymacx86.com

Cheers, mate. You've been very helpful

 

[trs96]

I don't have a very big budget unfortunately so what do you reckon I start off with? Custom Desktop build or a laptop?

For a first hackintosh it's much better to try a desktop. Much less complicated than hacking a laptop. If you do already have a laptop that may work you can certainly give it a go first to see if this is the right thing for you. The Dells and HPs mentioned above have been tested thoroughly and are very inexpensive. The best hack choices for newbies with no previous experience or those that just need a second low cost build. It's already built for you. Has Windows pre-installed so you can flash the BIOS via the Windows desktop. After that just clean install macOS over Windows and in a few hours you've got a fully working hack, no fuss, no muss.

They're well built and reliable. They were very expensive when new but very cheap now due to their age and the massive quantities of them in stock on warehouse shelves. Corporations bought these by the millions back in 2012/13 and most were returned "off lease" after just 3 years of use. They are well built enough to last for 10 years, much better than any consumer focused, off the shelf versions by Dell/HP at major retailers like Walmart, Amazon and Best Buy.

If you are in the land of OZ, down under, you can get an HP 8300 with i7-3770 for just over 200 dollars. The HD4000 graphics work perfectly with Mojave or Catalina. Probably the best all around compatible budget choice.

hp 8300 sff 3770: Search Result | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for hp 8300 sff 3770. Shop with confidence.

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