Before
After
(Click for larger image.)
Step One - Theme
Install the Full Install Style XP Man version bundled with Panther from StypeXP by TGT Soft. Once installed, open menu and install the Panther theme. This will now change your background, taskbar and all menus.
Step Two - Login
In StypeXP you have the option to change the login screen for different users. You will have to download the login here. Once downloaded, import the login to StypeXP, set to use and hit Apply. You can also try the Mac Pixel login or iPanel.
Step Three - Boot Screen
Also in StypeXP, you have the option to use a different boot screen. Download the Mac OS X boot screen, import into Style XP and hit Apply.
Step Four - The Dock
One of the most notable differences between XP and OSX is the use of the dock instead of the taskbar. One of the best docks out there is the ObjectDock by Stardock. You can tweak and customize the bar to your liking. To make it look like a Mac set to magnify over mouse hover and set the attention effect to bounce in the ObjectDock Properties.
Step Five - Dock Icons
You might notice when you start dragging some of your most used programs into the dock some programs icons might not look very clear or sharp when blown up to a bigger size. In this case, it is recommended that you change the program icon (by right clicking on an icon in the bar and choosing Dock Entry Properties. A dialog box opens up and here you have the option to Change the Image and browse for an alternative. Jairo Boudewyn has hundreds of beautiful free icons that can be enlarged and still be sharp up to 256px. Icons ranging from Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite 2, Firefox and many more.
Step Six - XP Taskbar
Now that you have the dock, you can set the Dock taskbar on in ObjectDock and hide the XP Taskbar or you could turn off the Dock taskbar and position the XP bar to the top of the screen. Drag the Windows XP taskbar (first right click it and unlock taskbar if it is currently locked) and bring it up to the top of the screen to act as a toolbar as in OSX.
Step Seven - Toolbar Buttons
Launch StyleXP and change the default toolbar buttons by replacing them with Pro Genius, Marine Bar, or ColdXP.
Enjoy the new look!
Or you could just get Fly a Kite OSX http://osx.portraitofakite.com/
uber leet
[…] read more | digg story - Posted in Tech by Oracio […]
Step 1. Download flyakiteosx from www.osx-e.com
Step 2. Install.
It includes sounds and everything..There is also a guide on engadget how to do it.
Hehehehe Man, this is sweet, but i love it!
You could try using Flayakite OSX available at www.osx-e.com. Except for the dock, it emulates everything. There are other softwares available to emulate other features of OSX, e.g. Finder, icons, etc.
Or you can try flyakite…
For anyone searching for the original OSX icons see this site.
If you use flyaktie, can you unistall it and have everything go back to normal?
TDizzie, yes you can. If you uninstall and set the windows theme back everything will go back to normal. Just like all the other programs.
[…] I’m going to give this a shot on a spare windows machine, just because I’m a little curious! Tech Manifesto » Seven Steps to turn your PC into a Mac […]
[…] Pasos para convertir tu Windows XP en una tema completo de MacOS X [V�a]. […]
You got to be kidding me…
I can’t believe Make listed this… Themes and icons… heh…
One Step way to turn your pc into a mac
i think he meant free way to change, not $500..haha
[…] Siete pasos para convertir tu PC en una Mac → Geek → ¡Gracias ldp! […]
You can’t polish a turd.
> You can’t polish a turd.
Yup, how true. Tried this, end up with more frustration. Nothing beats the real thing.
or you can just use flyakite…
[…] Make’s Version of a OSX PC Trackback · […]
Ah … very interesting … of course, I turned *my* PC into a workstation by loading Linux on it and got *exactly* the desktop that fits me.
Still gets the BSoD
I’m running this theme right now and I’m actually suprised at how smooth it feels. Comparing it to Fly A Kite is like comparing apples to oranges (pun intended).
-ZJ
very cool.
nice post
Anybody knows if there’s a file-color tool for a PC? Similar to how I can colorize files in MacOS to signifiy to myself what to do with them?
It’s not that I mind people doing this kind of thing or that I can’t appreciate the technical merit behind it. The underlying sentiment though is that some people like how the Apple interface looks and feels and maybe would rather use that than Windows.
The obvious answer is to simply get a Mac. They are -very- affordable these days. They have not always been, it’s true. For that money you always get a machine that integrates the software with the hardware. If you have ever plugged in a device into a Mac and have it work right away, with zero configuration, that’s worth some money to me. How did I configure iSight on my Mac? I plugged it in. Done. Of course there’s a lot going on in the background that I don’t see. But that’s why I have a Mac, so that I wouldn’t have to worry about it. Why do you worry about ‘configuring your peripherals’?
Be honest: you can get a dirt-cheap Dell, but it’s not coming with all the trimmings is it? And HP… it’s been awhile since they were at the forefront of technological innovation.
I can’t blame people for wanting their computer to look like a Mac. To me, the easiest way to achieve that is to get one.
These days Mac OS contains Spotlight, Automator and Expose [and tons more, of course]. Each of these would be enough for me to consider a Mac. Together they’re a must-have. I’m never going back to a machine that doesn’t have Expose. You can’t solve the problem it addresses [overlapping windows, open windows in an application, open windows in all applications, -quickly- moving to the desktop, and back on all of those] in a more elegant, convenient way.
Sorry if it sounds like a fanboy post. I do like working with my Mac and I know why that is. Maybe you want to give it a shot too [but if you don’t feel like it, that’s fine too. Don’t feel like you have to burn me down to prove your point. You’re happy with what you use, I’m happy with what I use. It’s a free world baby, room enough for everyone
].
Cool… Check out Today’s dose of NIF - News, Interesting; Funny.
Oh just get the real thing.
Wow thanks for that Jorge, I agree with you.
To Erase Binary - I found this program. Hope this helps!
If you want the feel of a Mac or of Mac OS, go buy a Mac. It’s the same as whining about Windows, installing linux, and then immediately installing a Windows-type interface. Let Windows be Windows and Mac OS be Mac OS. Customizing is one thing, but trying to duplicate something is assanine.
Doesnt look a good idea to teach “what is good or not”, the point is to get windows look alike a mac/os, not substitute it
In the manifesto there’s a step that’s fault. Lacks an exposé equivalent.
For windows systems there’s a program called “winplosion” which can do active windows management in a manner very similar to exposé, and is a very clever and useful feature of the mac/os systems.
Best regards. and have fun.
que doido muito legal
so que ira ter um problma o computador ira ficar muito lento
vai parecer uma tartaruga
he he
It’s as simple as this… macs stink. Just stick with windows.
Why not just BUY or USE a mac instead?
yes indeed… I’ve never even used a mac once in my life? And part of the reason for this is because, well I don’t have one obviously.. but no one I’ve ever know has had one either where at least I could have sat down and just messed around with it? Apples have either always lacked the advertising to make it a standout or there is simply a reason why more people have PC’s besides the money factor. I’m sure if you tallied up all the research numbers PC users probably take up at least 90% of the Computer Pie. Yeah sure Apple had that cool looking half sphere looking cpu and all and that really nice lcd screen and cute speakers to go along with it but if I remember correct when that first hit the stores it was like $5000.00 excuse me? Huh? Hey look if you want to try to compete with a comparable system selling for $1,500.00 (that’s a $3,500.00) difference! I mean for a college kid $3,500.00 buys a whole mess of jeans, shirts, shoes, socks, other electronic gadgets like an mp3 player, dvd player, small fridge for the dorm beer etc etcc you get the point..
So what was Apple thinking.. that the people of the world should help them catchup to Microsoft (yeah I said the M word) by inflating the price of their computer system by 3 times that of the ‘M’ system.
This is America, poeple, and there are so many.. I mean SO MANY people that will take a Bargain any chance they get! This means that all the PC company’s getting their parts and chips, and mobos overseas (sweatshops? eh who knows) will make people like Bill Gates, and Micheal Dell very very wealthy.. Steve Jobs.. hmmm All I have to say to you my friend is well Thank God for I-Pod! That should be Apple’s new Slogan!
You heard it here first..
Gerard Haughey
NYC/USA
yeah i would recommend flyakite too
Awesome point Gerard! The iPod really did save Apple. We will see if Apple will decide to be a software vendor and compete with Microsoft on the x86 in the future, but that is not going to be for a while.
Gerard- You seem to have a lot to criticize about a system you admit that you’ve never used. You support PC’s by stating that they make up 90% of the computer pie, implying it must be some other reason than price. Then speak at length about the price, never mentioning anything about quality, or ease of use, or any other factor for that matter. The main reason PC’s have been dominating the computer pie is the price and wide range of retailers. But for those of us who do use a Mac, the money spent is worth it for a machine that works. Personally, I’ve used both. I see why some people use a PC. I have no need to ever buy a PC again. But that is because of MY needs. I realize you probably have needs that make the PC right for you, but maybe you should think twice about getting on your soapbox when speaking about something you admit you know nothing about.
“I use a Mac because I need a computer that works for me, not me working on it.”
Burnman wake up. The old “Stability and graphics” arguements no longer hold up. If MAC hadnt been so pin headed about allowing other people to write software for them then the world would be a different place. I use a PC because I want to be able to purchase and run the best cutting edge software available. You MAC folks can wait a year or two for someone come up with a comprable program for you.
Let’s face it. Apple switching to intel architecture? Yeah. Keep an eye out for OSX on standard PCs now that crapple is switching to an x86 architecture. You mac fanboys are the lowest common denominator of home computer users.
Or you could just take a hammer to your PC. One step. Easy as pie.
Bill- I am awake. You missed my point. I respect those of you who use PC’s You have a need they fill. I am sincerly glad you are so satisfied with your equipment, good for you. But your equipment will not satisify my needs. I do graphic design and photo work.I have never had a problem hooking up a camera, camcorder or any other peripheral. I have never had to wait a year for Adobe to come out with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat for my Mac. Stupid games, yes, those usually take longer. So what? I could care less about games. My applications are always ready just as quickly as for a PC. I do get the best cutting edge software available for my needs, and I run them effortlessly.
Why is that notion so hard for many PC users to understand? They seem to think it’s some kind of attack on their system. Just because it’s best for you, doesn’t make it best for me. Why do I have to wake up? I have no problem with the fact you use a PC. Just don’t make me buy one. I have no need to.
Besides my point was that Gerard was trying to speak with authority about something he admittedly knew nothing about. How can you criticize something you’ve never used?
this is the most retarded idea ever windows is way better then mac i think this should be called “seven ways to make your computer into a piece of crap” tssss ruin a windows to make a mac computer while trashing a good computer
and its funny how mac is not worthy of the “personal computer” title cause its complete garbage
I can turn a PC into a Mac easily…. but i’ll need a bat first… then i’ll have to burn an extra $500….
This is like taking a chevy cavalier putting a body kit and fart can exhaust on it and calling it an import. 3 steps to getting a mac. 1.Go to store 2.Buy and overpriced Mac 3.Take it home.
I drop macs off building tops.
Well the fanboys do have a point, and yes the people writing the hate comments for no reason are somewhat coming out of left field. So a few years ago all the public schools and colleges in my area switched from primarily mac to pc and for good reason. PCs do have more software offered to them, but of every school I’ve stepped foot in, the art centers always use macs. Why? I wondered, so I finally asked a guy that knew a little more about macs than most of the people commenting here, simply put Macs are to artists as PCs are to gamers. Enough said…
why would you want to?
you cant go wrong with a mac. but even if you look like a mac it wil still crash like a pc
One reason to not buy a mac is when you want to do anything without crashing, or to easily connect to many types of networks, or when you need software that is PC only and wont work with an emulator, or when you want to see a stable backbone like BSD get broken down by apple.
Oh yeah, no need to point out why windows sucks, there’s more information on that than there is porn on the internet. i’ll take my Unix anyday. Haven’t rebooted in 245 days and that was to update the kernel.
Wow, a way to make a Mac that actually runs more than a few dozen programs, what a novel idea. What next?
i have a pc, and i’ve used a mac. They run alot smoother. My Grandmas mini mac runs alot smoother than any other computer i’ve ever used. My next computer is going to be a Mac. And i like how Microsofts Word and Power point work on macs….
howdy
cool
cant u just agree that macs r good with what they have and windows r good with wat they have. and if u want the perks of windows and the …umm w/e mac has that u want cant u just get both
I run Windows and Linux and am looking forward to maybe getting an x86 MAC and running all three on that architecture. I’ve worked with all three, and by far, the most efficient, stable and hands-free performance comes from Apple. But that’s not me; I’m a hands-on guy. For instance, I like older cars I can actually monkey with, without scads of special tools and an array of diagnostic programs. I like building stuff with my hands, swapping stuff out, updating, upgrading . . . all the stuff you can do with a PC and not with a MAC. I’m old enough to remember when Apple started, and I hated it then exactly because it was so ‘user-friendly’ (though that term hadn’t been invented yet). I was a hands on programmer, then, and an interface that did things for me got in my way. Now that computers are sooo much more powerful, having an interface to smooth-out the edges is essential, and I can see why some folks want that to be as easy and smooth as possible. Personally, I think a single platform world would have vast advantages, and LINUX is easily versitile enough to produce any style of interface anyone could ever want. You can’t say that about MAC or Windows, though you can come close enough for most folks. And why not?
but… Macs stink
every computer can crash, my pc has been on for a least a month now, never showing any problems of major computer componant failure or error, the only problem is spyware…
Gerard - I am a college student and I have a new Mac. Mac’s were the only computers we actually used in college. Our instructors recommended we buy them. And I did. If you’re a student, you get a specail price. I only paid $1000 for mine, and that’s Canadian.
I don’t know a whole lot about computers. Hell, I’m one of the dreaded people who just clicks ‘ok’ without reading the warning. But I love everything about my mac. It’s easy to use and never gets a virus. Plus I can watch all the video in the world without it crashing. Plus, I feel cool when friends come over to my place and fall in love with it because it’s so different.
Anyways, I’m just trying to say that Mac’s are waaaaay better than PC’s. Anyone with a Mac will tell you that. and some PC users too.
does anyone know if you can add expose to internet explorer on a windows machine? im thinking about getting a mac and i thought this was a great way to test it but the thing is that i want expose on my internet. any help?
The biggest problem with Macs is the problem that’s always existed with Apple, lack of software and support. Face it, there are ten thousand titles for the PC for every one that exists for the Mac. Plus there are countless vendors selling millions of different parts for PCs and for Macs, well, you’re stuck. Just walk into any store that sells computers, not one for Macs only (I haven’t seen one myself but I hear they exist somewhere out there) and look at what’s available. Everything for the Mac can fit in a corner (usually covered with three inches of dust) and the PC stuff, you need an aircraft hanger to even come close to carrying a “large” selection of software, parts and accessories.
It boils down to this. Why do you want a computer? To do one specific task or to do many? Most people expect a lot of things from their computer, so for the vast majority a PC is the only choice. If all you need is a few specialized things done, well, spend the exhorbinant amounts needed to buy the Mac and do it. Sure you won’t be as likely to get spyware or viruses. Just like if you live in a plastic bubble your whole life you’re not as likely to get a cold or something. Most people choose not to live in bubbles.
I own a imac, and it’s very bad. It dosen’t have a firewall, or a virus checker thing. I’m gonna buy a pc.
the other jorge, try a great program called WinPlosion, it works for all windows including internet explorer. Thats a great way to test it, try the free trial.
Or you should have thought about buying a mac before you bought a pc
thanks justin. much more useful than erin
burnman, i totally agree with you. im actually thinking about switching to a mac. i heard its really great and that its easy to use along that its powerful. i think ithats my next computer
its like a mac but you can use games!
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
Blah blah blah. Who cares what you, or you, or even YOU think? Get what you want, use what you want and shut up already!
Amber: come on do you really think your gonna solve your security problems by buying a PC? How typical, another women that thinks she knows how to solve a problem by throwing her money around without giving any thought as to what might be causing it. Listen buying a pc will not solve your security problems, and also FYI PCs, Macs, Customs, etc, do not come with bundled spyware/anti-virus protection unless you pay an additional fee. And if you feel the “Windows Firewall” is going to protect you then you have a lot to learn.
Why would you change a pc to a mac? Just buy a mac!
OK, first off. I’ve used style xp for a long time when I’m on my pc (hardly ever.)
My mac is the thing for me. Powerbook G4. =). this worked for me.
anyone have a way to do this WITHOUT style xp or flyakite or wtv? possibly a complete shell replacement?
Stats:
os: os x (10.4.1), developer edition & win xp sp 2
Proc: p4 (prescott core), sse3 enabled
ram: 512 mb ddr 333
harddrive: 80 gb ata-133 w/ 8 mb cache
win xp startup time: 90 secs
os x startup time 15 secs
except for fruityloops, os X has everything I need for what I do…. mac os X is faster on x86 architecture than windows is…. which one will I use? I think it’s safe to say that apple has another customer waiting to buy os X for x86. Downside to os X right now for x86 is a lack of drivers for my hardware
C’mon guy’s, flamewars are for kids. Simple as this:-
Buy a MAC, or buy a PC. Whatever. There are a lot of people out there who can’t afford this kinds of comforts. Be greatful you can afford it.
i love my mac mini…
could somebody tell me how to turn my PS1 into a mac and pc … windows xp would be nice and mac os x … i am using a pc and a mac … but i had my playstation … it is so time consuming … just do something new .. thx …painlezz
hmmm… I’m typing on a PC rightnow, and I don’t believe I’ve ever even seen a Mac system outside of an Apple store. They are pretty to look at, but they seem…almost in a different language, for my experience. I am intrigued by them. You all seem so literate compared to me. Did any of you ever have a computer w/o enough memory to get an internet provider? Dare I hope to learn at least a little bit? Or were you born typing?
[…] Here’s something interesting… I may have to try this on one of my old machines sometime… Tech Manifesto » Seven Steps to turn your PC into a Mac […]
I agree with Greg, Just get a mac!
This thing is a joke! I mean, who really wants to chang there PC to a Mac. I mean, come on, really. If I wanted a mac, I would go get me an ibook.
This is how you really change a PC in to a Mac.
Step 1: Click Here:
Step 2: Done
Yeah, that’s it. It’s as easy as that.
I was looking for the exposé thing (the WinPLOSION stuff) because it’s very useful and I ended up here and I read some of the previous posts. Here’s what I think:
There is no need for this discussion, Macs and PCs are just different, both are very good. In fact I have a G5 iMac and a Pentium 4 HT IBM, both with 2GB RAM.
I like them both, because I make a lot of photo, audio and video editing on the iMac and software development on the IBM. I couldn’t do it all the way around. PCs are not very stable with heavy multimedia duties and it’s pretty complicated to develop software on a Mac.
Happy holidays to all of you, Mac and PC lovers. Best wishes for 2006.
Ergh… I don’t know but it just looks ugly like that. If you really want a mac desktop: Go and buy one, but it is dingy if Windows user try to have a “mac”.
[…] Topdesk will diss your Windows into a mac. It’s letting you use hot keys, mouse hotspots or floating desktop buttons to view and sort all of your open application windows, easily navigating to the one you are searching for. Take a look at the videos here, they are quite impressive. You can add TopDesk as one of the steps to turning your PC into a Mac. […]
i love it, but my sister got so mad because it looked diforent
..and then you can emulate Expose, I recommand WinPlosion. And for all the stuff you need, just go to: http://www.osx-e.com/
To easy steps to turn your Pc into Mac :
1. Throw out you PC
2. Buy a Mac
That’s all !!
Amazing and so much fun (I dont get out much)
Hi
Bye