Best Netbooks for running OSX

Looking for one of those affordable netbooks everyone seems to be raving about? If you want one that runs Windows XP, Linux or even the upcoming Windows 7, then shop around for the best price. They're all pretty much in the same price range now for similar specs.

If you're reading this because you would like to run OSX on a Netbook, then read on. The decision of attempting this is left completely up to you. Fact is, this would only be good for simple computing tasks such as browsing, email, word processing, network administration, or any other such non-CPU intensive tasks. Obviously, you want to do this in the OSX environment which happens to have a very small footprint. Coincidentally, it makes a nice starter/entry level computer to test out the Apple environment.

Make no mistake! This is NOT going to behave as well as a TRUE Apple computer. However, it will FUNCTION, and serve it's purpose as far as the given hardware allows. In other words, just because it's technically possible, doesn't mean it will be like you're using a Macbook. With that out of the way this article is not to show you how to this, instead which netbooks you will have a better experience with.

Of the 12 or more brands making netbook units, I will narrow this down to the TOP 3 choices.

1. MSI Wind U100
2. Dell Mini 9
3. Lenovo S10

These are the 3 Netbooks that you can currently install OSX on with minimal problems. They are listed in order of simplest to most complex installations.

1. The MSI Wind is by far the easiest (Install) and my personal favorite. With it's own custom distro floating around the interwebs, the installation is the easiest one to accomplish. In the past, when I wrote up a how-to for installing OSX on the wind, it required replacing the internal wifi card to complete the process. This is no longer the case and you can google around to find the solution for getting that working native now. Everything works on the MSI Wind running OSX, except for the internal microphone and headset minijack ports. Easily solved by using a USB headset.

2. Dell Mini 9 comes in at a close second place. It could easily be in first place, BUT! The Dell Mini 9 requires an SSD replacement for sleep to work properly, adding to the overall price. Aside from that, the installation is almost as easy as the MSI wind. If you don't mind replacing the SSD drive, then EVERYTHING actually works on the dell.

3. Lenovo S10 Ideapad The S10 works great with a few caveats that move it down to third place on my list. First, the Install is a little complicated for the AVERAGE user. Almost everything ends up working but after many patches and fixes compared to the previous 2 netbooks. The one big negative here is that currently the Ethernet port does not work under OSX. However Wifi does work , so you make the call. I need the ethernet port to work. So I found a workaround, which is adding a usb ethernet adapter. It was picked up immediately by OSX, thereby giving me the missing ethernet access. So bare that in mind. Another negative is that the Lenovo only has 2 usb ports, while the MSI and Dell have 3 ports. Lastly, the Lenovo S10 is missing Bluetooth. I currently have this netbook configured to triple boot Windows 7 Beta, OSX Leopard, and Ubuntu Linux. It probably has the nicest exterior of the group, slim and thin.

In closing, you will probably want to upgrade any one of these to 2 GB of ram for better performance. Remember though, while you will be running OSX, it will be much slower, and you will not have the graphics or CPU power to do much more than light computer use. If you're happy with Windows XP or Linux, then you can just go buy yourself the most affordable, nicest looking Netbook, and keep on computing.