Apple, as we know it, does not, at least officially, allow users to run macOS on non-Mac devices. Well, thanks to the Hackintosh process, you can’t stop tinkering with booting Apple’s desktop OS on unsupported devices. So, using this process, YouTuber built a compact handheld PC running Apple’s macOS Big Sur.
DIY handheld PC with macOS
A YouTuber named Ike T. Sanglay Jr. recently shared a video showing how he is building a DIY handheld PC running macOS Big Sur. This device isn’t practical in the real world, but it’s pretty cool to see a portable device running Apple’s desktop operating system.
Now, in technical detail, Ike built the device using the Latte Panda Alpha SBC (single board computer). The LattePanda Alpha includes an Intel Core m3 CPU paired with 8GB of RAM and an Arduino Leonardo microcontroller board. YouTuber also used a 240GB SATA SSD with macOS Big Sur pre-installed and a custom 3D printed casing to house the components.
Watch Ike’s 8-minute video with all the components just below.
When done, YouTuber finally boots the device and seems to be working fine. However, while the interface looked fine, the battery indicator did not work as intended.
Now, it’s worth mentioning that the cost of building this DIY handheld device is higher than the price of Apple’s latest M1 Mac Mini. However, getting a Mac Mini isn’t as fun as building a handheld device with a display and keyboard that can run Apple’s macOS, so Ike didn’t stop building the device from scratch.
It also points out the fact that macOS can be easily installed on UMPCs (ultra-mobile PCs) like GPD devices. But it’s not a DIY handheld, right? In short, this device is the result of Ike enjoying his creative technical skills.
