My next project: a PC that can run Ubuntu Lucid Lynx, OS X SL, and Windows 7

[Swamp Rat]

My summer project is to build a fast machine on a shoestring, grad student budget capable running 64 bit systems:

1. Scientific programs in Windows 7 (image analysis apps like, ERDAS Imagine 2010, ArcGIS 9.3, Idrisi, Pictometry, etc.)
2. Apple OS X Snow Leopard for my email, web surfing, and graphics programs like Photoshop, iTunes, etc.
3. Ubuntu 10.04 for fun!... and eventually freedom from the above systems!!!

I could make it all happen easily if I buy (could afford) an Apple Power PC, but what fun is that? Plus, I need to be able to use dual X screens for stereo image analysis at very high resolutions (satellite and aerial imagery), so I'll need really good graphics cards, fast processors, a lot of RAM, some type of RAID set up, etc..... it would cost WAY WAY WAY too much to build a comparable Apple machine.

After reading threads here, I am certain I am a n00b compared to the rest of ya'll, so I could use some help and advice, if anyone is willing.

I am starting here:

http://www.insanelymac.com/osx86db

Hopefully I'll be a LINUX god some day. :D

[struggle4progress]

1. I've never built and I have no direct hackintosh experience. I was

casually interested in hackintosh for a year or two and have read around the web on it: my impression is that Apple has deliberately been closing off the hackintosh option and that it is rather more difficult now with Snow Leopard than it was in the past. So if I were considering a project like yours, I would focus on Windows/Linux compatibility and regard OSX compatibility as a cute stunt of lesser importance that might not be worth the headache

[hobbit709]

2. My new system uses an Antec 200 case

It has a removable SATA drive slot in the front. I have a 750Gb hard drive inside with all my data files and separate 500Gb drives with various OS's that I can swap out.