Mac OSX Cougar

A possible upcoming release? probably not.

Apple has yet to enter the Netbook space, no doubt they have something in the works but users not content to wait have taken things into their own hands. Depending on what Netbook you have you may have to sacrifice some functionality but overall some like the HP Mini 1000 or a Dell Mini 9/Vostro A90 are quite comprehensive in their support of OSX.

Installing on non Mac hardware likely infringes Apple’s end user license agreement so don’t expect any official support. Check out this compatibility chart to see what your Netbook can do.

Dell Mini 9 installation guide by Gizmodo

MSI Wind installation guide by Wired

HP Mini 1000 installation guide by myHPmini

Asus Eee PC by uneasysilence.com

If you run into any problems you can get support over at the Hackintosh forums.

A few requirements

• An up to date Mac and preferably an up to date Time Machine backup.
• Windows 7 on DVD, get it here (available until August 20,2009, although can be installed after).
• 8GB  of space although I would recommend about 25 so you have some room to play with.

Lets get stuck in

1. Restart your Mac and close any apps that automatically start.
2. Open Boot Camp Assistant via finder and click continue at the intro screen.
3. At this stage choose how much space you want to give your new OS, as mentioned above around 25GB is good, although feel free to choose more or less if you know how much you will need. Once your happy click partition.
4. Insert your Windows 7 DVD and click the option to Start Installation.
5. Once your Mac restarts you will have to select which partition to install on. Select the one named Bootcamp you don’t want to accidentally choose the wrong one so pay close attention.
6. Choose drive options and “Format” press ok when prompted.
7. Once Windows 7 has installed it will reboot and you will need to take the DVD out.
8. Your nearly done just select your language etc and finish the installation, connect to the internet and Windows will download the latest updates and a video card driver, yep after this its time for another reboot.
9. All done your ready to go, depending on you Mac hardware you may have to look at getting your sound drivers setup. Just hold option when you turn your Mac on to choose Windows 7 or OSX.