sparker781

Distinguished
Jan 1, 2010
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So if I use a legit copy of Mac OS X with a virtual machine can you run mac os as a virtual machine on a PC? I have a copy of Mac OS X that I was using to restore an old macbook....

Not sure if this is the right area so apologies if it isnt

Thanks
 

itmoba

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Aug 14, 2015
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You can't legally run OS X as a guest on a VM unless the host is an Apple-based computer. You're free to install OS X on another hard-drive and use it on the assumption that the original hard-drive isn't being used as a bootable device. While the original hard-drive does have an installation of OS X, it technically isn't in use because it is now technically functioning as a backup device.

A. This License allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time,and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time. You may make one copy of the Apple Software (excluding the Boot ROM code) in machine-readable form for backup purposes only; provided that the backup copy must include all copyright or other proprietary notices contained on the original.
 

McHenryB

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Jan 31, 2015
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The current licence agreement for OS X actually specifies "Apple-branded" rather than "Apple-labeled" computer. I believe this change was made to clear up the ambiguity of exactly what was meant. After all, Apple supplied a couple of labels with each retail copy of Leopard, so stick one of those official Apple labels on a PC and it's an Apple-labeled computer? But the current licence is quite clear - you can only install OS X on a genuine Apple computer.

In reality, you can't legally obtain a copy of recent versions of OS X unless you already own a Mac. So those copies that can be downloaded off the 'net are all pirated. And we don't discuss pirated software here.
 

itmoba

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Aug 14, 2015
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Yup, yup -- that's absolutely true. I'm not trying to condone the use of illegally obtained software, but there're situations where a user's questions or responses tend to indicate some sort of foul play. I know that people oughtn't talk about pirated software here, but my message was meant to serve as a warning flag.