It was bound to happen: some of the folks who snagged Google’s developer notebook for Chrome OS have figured out how to install alternate operating systems including Windows and OS X.

YouTube user Damis648 has installed OS X and he reports that while the OS is a bit sluggish most of the hardware is supported out of the box including the multitouch trackpad. You can check out his video after the break.

Meanwhile, a member of the Something Awful Forums has posted details about running both Windows and OS X on the laptop. On Windows the 3G modem doesn’t work properly, and you’ll have just about 2GB of disk space after installing the OS.

The biggest problem is that the Cr-48 laptop has an Intel Atom processor and GMA 3150 graphics — which don’t play that well with Adobe Flash or OS X in general — especially on a device with a high resolution display.

Overall, you’re still probably best off running Chrome OS on the Cr-48, because that’s what it was designed to run — and because if you got one of the early units it’s because Google expects you to test Chrome OS on the device. But it’s nice to know that it’s possible to dual boot or replace the operating system if that’s the sort of thing you’re into.

via Engadget

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6 replies on “Windows, OS X come to the Google Cr-48 Chrome OS notebook”

  1. I think the commenters above have missed the point. If you want to nit-pick about showing illegal content on you tube, ask them to take down every video of someone getting punched, and while you are at it why not seek to eliminate violence in sport which always seems to be overlooked by the authorities.

    I think that it is good the people push the boundaries of new technology and share their results with us. After all was Galileo not imprisoned for suggesting that the world revolved around the sun?

    This enables us to develop newer ideas, better ourselves and acheive greater things.

  2. As we all know, it’s illegal to install Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware. You’re breaking a contract, and contracts are protected by law. This person has infringed on Apple’s rights.

    The video itself also breaks the law. Because the content of the video depicts an illegal act, it violates Youtube’s Terms of Service, which is a contract.

    You, like the creator of this video, might think that the laws that protect Apple and Google from bad citizens are ridiculous, but does that give everybody the right to commit crimes against everybody else, or should we be allowed the legal protections that society affords us?

    From my own view, I blame Apple and Google for insisting on such restrictive agreements. I also blame people who voluntarily bind themselves to such ridiculous contracts, especially those who think that once Apple or Google deliver on their side of the agreement they can do whatever they want. I also blame this website, for promoting this obvious scofflaw as if there was nothing wrong. Presumably, if somebody breaks into your home for the purpose of theft, damage, or injury, you won’t mind. In fact, you’ll film it, post the video to Youtube, and promote it on your website. Otherwise, what is the point of this post?

    1. Installing OS X on non-apple hardware is a violation of Apple’s licensing
      agreement… which isn’t necessarily the same thing as breaking a law if
      done for personal use. What’s not clear is how this person obtained the
      operating system. He may have paid for it, but many hackintoshers download
      illegal copies from the internet, which is against the law.
      On Jan 2, 2011 2:38 PM, “Disqus”

    2. Unless the software was obtained illegally or used in a way that breaks copyright laws then no laws are being broken. Copyright laws allows for fair use and only the Apple terms of use would be violated by installing on non-Apple labeled hardware, which they can possibly fine you for but by itself isn’t against the law.

Comments are closed.