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MacHacks.com provides links to Mac hacks, tweaks, and themes for adventurous Mac software hackers as well as a collection of 'leet Macintosh case mods and Hackintosh case mods for those interested in modding their own system or just admiring the creativity of Mac hardware hackers. For help, links to Mac hacking communities are offered, too.
Also interested in installing Mac OS X on a PC? Hackintosh.com has links to everything you need to get Mac OS X Lion, Snow Leopard, or Leopard up-and-running on an unsupported computer.
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Mac Hacks, Tweaks & Themes
A collection of Mac hacks, tweaks, and themes follow. Please note that software to "hack" or "tweak" Mac OS X may cause problems and absolutely should not be used on "mission critical" computers where data is important. Even for Macs without important data, it still is vital to backup before using third-party software to "mess with" anything.
Although it is not widely known, there are hundreds of hidden Mac OS X settings as well as hidden application settings available via the operating system's UNIX underpinnings.
Applications that provide an easy-to-use interface to access these settings include Cocktail, Deeper and OnyX, iTweaX, MacPilot and MacPilot Lite, and TinkerTool. Among these, Deeper, OnyX, iTweaX, and TinkerTool are free, whereas Cocktail and MacPilot are available at a modest price (and generally have slicker interfaces as well). Each has its enthusiasts and is well worth evaluating yourself.
Of course, a proper hacker likely wouldn't want to be caught using a GUI and would instead tinker directly with the command line. To learn Mac OS X terminal commands, or just strengthen security, CLIX may be quite helpful.
For more about hacks and tweaks available via the Terminal, you may also enjoy reading 15 terminal commands for hidden settings in Tiger, Leopard, and Snow Leopard courtesy of Mac OS X Tips' extensive Terminal section.
No doubt some Apple enthusiasts -- or fanboys, if you prefer -- would argue that Mac OS X needs no interface tweaks. They could be right, but even a six-colored Apple loyalist would be highly tempted to consider some of these excellent applications.
TotalFinder - Adds tabs to Finder windows, shortcuts to move files, and more. Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard."
DockView - Adds window previews to each application when hovering over the dock or switching via Command-Tab. Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" only. The same author also offers the useful Switché, which makes it easier to switch between applications or individual windows, ordered by last use.
HyperDock - Makes it possible to "select individual application windows and tabs just by moving the mouse on a dock item, use mouse clicks to quickly open new windows" and more. Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" only.
Alfred - Launch apps, files, and actions via key command, instant web search and more for significantly enhanced productivity.
WindowShade X - Brings back the popular "WindowShade" functionality from Mac OS 9 -- collapses a window to its title bar -- and adds other options as well. The same company also offers FruitMenu, which makes it possible to customize the Apple Menu and contextual menus, Labels X, which enhances file labeling, and more.
FinderPop - Adds customized contextual menu capability, file handling within contextual menus, and much more. Compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" and Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" and "almost everything works" on Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" as well.
XMenu - Adds "adds one or more global menus to the right side of the menu bar" for you to customize with applications, folders, documents and more. Compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" and higher.
Dock Spaces - Have up to 10 docks and switch between them using the menu bar or via key commands. Individual docks can be assigned to a space as well for further convenience. Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" and higher.
Hyperspaces - Customize each Mac OS X space with its own desktop image and name, add hotkeys, and more.
Although Mac OS X does not have as many options for themes or "skins" as Windows and Linux, at least partially as Apple has not embraced the community in recent years, hardworking enthusiasts have churned out a number of quality "hacks" like these nevertheless.
CrystalClear Interface - A "gorgeous user interface for those who think completely different" from the talented Leland Scott. Compatible with both Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" and Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard."
Caesar - A "clean, simple and relaxing interface" with the intended mission of bringing "Mac theming back to the old glories" from Robert Urso. The original version is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" only, but an unofficial, third-party port to Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" is available as well.
Dock Library & DockDoctor - Compatible with both Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" and Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard," these applications make it possible to "skin" the background of the dock to resemble a pirate map or green grass or anything else that your creative heart desires.
CandyBar - It doesn't offer full-fledged "themes," but makes it easy to change system icons via drag-and-drop, make simple dock tweaks, organize icons by set, and more. It's integrated with the legendary Iconfactory, too.
Shapeshifter - Unfortunately, only compatible with Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" and Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger," this program ushered in a brief renaissance in Mac themes. Max Rudberg's Max Themes may also be of interest.
Kaleidoscope - Old school Mac users no doubt remember this fantastic application from Greg Landweber and Arlo Rose that makes it possible to customize the interface of vintage Macs running System 7.5 through Mac OS 9.2. Literally thousands of themes (or schemes as they were called), have been archived. Other vintage interface mods from Landweber include Aaron Light for Mac OS 8, Aaron for System 7, and BeView (a BeOS interface mod for the classic Mac OS).
To reiterate, absolutely do not use software to "hack" or "tweak" Mac OS X on "mission critical" computers. Even on non-mission critical computers, backup everything and proceed with caution at your own risk.
There are a number of forums across the web that focus on Mac OS X and Mac software hacking, tweaking and theming as well as Mac hardware hacking and Mac case mods. A selection of active communities include the following:
| ModMyi Mac | AppleCentral Hacks | AquaMac | AppleFritter |
| InsanelyMac | Mac OS X Hints | MacThemes | NeoWin Customization |
Before joining any of these online communities, be sure to confirm whether or not your particular interest is covered. Some of the above forums focus more on Mac OS X hacks and tweaks whereas others focus more on Mac hardware hacking and case mods. Be sure to also review the community rules prior to posting as well.
Macintosh Case Mods
Since the dawn of the original Mac, creative hackers have been coming up with ways to customize the appearance of their systems -- from paint and lighting to transplanting modern Mac components in vintage Macs or entirely new cases. A selection of quality Macintosh "case mods" follow.
Mac mini Pro - As first discovered by 123Macmini, an impressive aluminum Mac Pro-inspired Mac mini case mod from Hideo Takano's Mac Mod Lab. As if one clever design isn't enough, Hideo also has fabricated several other fantastic custom Mac mini case mods, including an aluminum "Mac Pro nano" with a "pop up" power switch and USB port, a Quadra 700-inspired "Quadra mini" plastic case and more. Extensive step-by-step details are provided in Japanese.
Millennium Falcon Mac mini - Perfect for Star Wars fans, a modified Mac mini installed in a toy Millennium Falcon ship complete with an integrated iSight camera in the cockpit and a front-facing USB port intended for an iPod shuffle.
iMac G4 Mods Collection - Great iMac G4 mods including installing a larger display and adding a custom black paint job, installing a touch screen, and several more, all with detailed instructions and photos from Dremel Junkie.
PyraMac - A "Graphite" Power Mac G4 rehoused in an attractive custom steel and plexiglass pyramid case. The same user also has performed a simpler, but nevertheless cool, "BlueIce" Power Mac G4 case mod with a translucent shell, blue internal lighting and a front-mounted 5-inch LCD.
NecroMac - A Power Mac G3 (Blue & White) painted to resemble an ancient artifact courtesy of ModYourMac. The same site also has a directory of other custom painted Macs and general tips for painting your own Mac as well.
Apple IIgs Laptop - Not a Mac, but this original Apple IIgs motherboard packed in a custom retro-inspired laptop case design from the talented Ben Heckendorn definitely is worth seeing nevertheless.
Apple Disk II Mac mini - A Mac mini stowed away in a retro Apple Disk II floppy drive by Charles Mangin. The same hardware hacker also devised a "Mac Plus G4" with a Power Mac G4 Cube enclosed in a Macintosh Plus case. A bit of information on construction is provided along with photos of each mod.
Mac Minitosh - A cool mod with a Mac mini G4/1.25 installed in a Macintosh Plus case with relocated, modern ports and a custom black paint job. Some documentation of the process is provided as well.
Mac mini Cube - A Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.66 installed in a modified Power Mac G4 Cube, complete with custom black paint and glowing Apple logo. Many details on the construction process are provided.
Steampunk Mac mini - No details on fabrication, unfortunately, but pictures of a Mac mini and display beautifully transformed in the Victorian-inspired "Steampunk" style by Dave Veloz.
1942 Philco Radio Mac mini - Few construction details, but perhaps one of the most well disguised Mac case mods of all time. As first spotted by TUAW, Sandy Winkelman cleverly housed a Mac mini and a 17-inch touchscreen display in a gutted vintage radio to create a modern digital media center. To see it in action, this video may also be of interest:
For official and unofficial instructions to upgrade components in a G3 or later Mac -- the RAM, hard drive, optical drive and more -- whether case modding a Mac or otherwise, be sure to also see EveryMac.com's Mac Upgrades section.
Hackintosh Case Mods
The following Hackintosh case mods have standard PC innards, but have been hacked to run Mac OS X. Some use custom case designs and others use an older system shell with updated internal components. The following cover hardware modification and construction rather than software hacks.
Hackintosh, Jr. - An extremely cool miniature Mac Pro-inspired Hackintosh with some great details on components and fabrication.
OS Xbox Pro - A custom Mac Pro-caliber system custom built inside the case of a Xbox. Details and videos of the hardware modification process.
Nintendo 64 Hackintosh Case Mod - As discovered by the Technabob blog, a Best Case Scenario user built a custom ITX-based Hackintosh inside a vintage Nintendo 64 to use as a home theater PC.
Original 128k Mac Hackintosh - A Hackintosh built inside the gutted case of an original Macintosh (128k).
Power Mac G5 Hackintosh - A InsanelyMac forum post detailing a Hackintosh built in an empty Power Mac G5 case.
Cube HTPC - One man's saga of building a home theater PC in the shell of a Power Mac G4 Cube.
iMac G4 Hackintosh - A "Sandy Bridge" Hackintosh constructed in a iMac G4/1.25 20-Inch case from Dremel Junkie.
Quicksilver Hackintosh - Basic step-by-step instructions explaining how a hardworking user modified a Power Mac G4 Quicksilver case to accommodate a PC motherboard and other components.
iHack Project - A Hackintosh constructed in a Power Mac G4/350 (PCI) case. Details on component selection, construction, and more.
Clearbox - As first spotted by the great Hack A Day site, this slickly produced video shows the hardware fabrication process for a custom acrylic Hackintosh design and may be useful for construction technique or inspiration alone:
If you would like to try your hand at building your own Hackintosh, Hackintosh.com has links to everything you need including step-by-step "how to" guides, databases of compatible components, and communities for support.
Special thanks also to Flickr user Olle Svensson for the great Jolly Roger tattoo photo used for the title graphic.
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Please note that Apple does not support software or hardware hacks, tweaks, themes or mods. Unofficial software should not be used on any "mission critical" system and doing so may violate the warranty. Naturally, case mods violate the warranty as well. MacHacks.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the linked information. MacHacks.com is not approved by or affiliated with Apple, Inc.