Mac OS X 10.4.8 will now run on any generic x86-based PC. Well, almost. Kernel coder Semthex has posted what he claims is an entirely legal release of the Mac operating system's foundation layer. The only snag: you can't boot into the familiar GUI.

To date, the version of Mac OS X for x86 processors has relied on kernel add-ons to anchor the software to Apple's own hardware through the machines' Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Much of the core code is independent of it, however, and available for access to all and sundry via Apple's own source code licence.

What Semthex has claimed to do - and the files you need can be found here if you fancy trying them yourself - is produce code that essentially bypasses the TPM stuff yet stays within the Apple licence.

Well, so Semthex claims - proceed at your own risk. In any case, the code will boot up into single-user mode, which has a certain interest for Unix and command-line geeks, but isn't going to get Mac fans rushing off to buy cheap Dells instead of Apple machines. ®