15-09-2021

Catalina Hackintosh

MacOS (Currently Catalina 10.15.6) working on ThinkPad X230

Status: Work In Progress

  • MacOS Catalina 10.15 19A583 is out! GA Z390 M Gaming - i9 9900K - RX590. One Video with some Benchmarks. Share on other sites.
  • Upgrading from Mac OS X Older Versions. Any older versions of Mac OS X 10.7-10.10 have to first upgrade to Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11 version before upgrading to macOS Catalina, which you can download from Apple’s Catalina download page. To do this, follow these steps: Launch the System Preferences menu, and thenselect Software Update.

DISCLAIMER: Read the entire README before you start. I am not responsible for any damages you may cause.

Introduction

My hardware

147k members in the hackintosh community. A community for those looking to install macOS on their PC! XPS 9560 - Catalina.

SpecificationsDetail
Computer modelLenovo ThinkPad X230 (Type: 2325)
ProcessorIntel Core i7-3520M (2C4T, 2.9/3.6Ghz, 4MB)
MemoryCrucial 16GB DDR3L 1867MHz, dual-channel
Hard DiskCrucial BX500 3D-NAND 240GB
Integrated GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 4000
Display12.5' HD (1366x768) TN - B125XW01.V0
AudioRealtek ALC3202 (Layout-id: 18)
EthernetIntel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection
WIFI+BTAzureWave AW-CB160H (BCM94360HMB)
Keyboard6-row, multimedia Fn keys, LED backlight
DockThinkPad UltraBase Series 3
Hardware compatibility

This EFI will suit any X230 regardless of CPU model, amount of RAM, display resolution, and internal storage.

  1. Optional custom CPU Power Management guide (see below post-install)
  2. Modified
    • 1440p display models should change NVRAM>>Add>>7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82>>UIScale: 2
    • X220 7-row keyboard should use : SSDT-X220-KBD.aml
Main software
ComponentVersion
MacOS Catalina10.15.6 (19G2021)
OpenCore0.6.1
Kernel extensions
KextVersion
AirportBrcmFixup2.0.9
AppleALC1.5.2
BrcmPatchRAM2.5.4
EFICheckDisabler0.5.0
IntelMausi1.0.3
Lilu1.4.7
USBPorts
VirtualSMC1.1.6
VoodooPS2Controller2.1.6
WhateverGreen1.4.2
UEFI drivers
DriverVersion
HfsPlus.efiOcBinaryData
OpenRuntime.efiOpenCorePkg 0.6.1

Installation

How to install macOS

To install macOS follow the guides provided by Dortania

Useful tools by CorpNewt and headkaze

Complete EFI is available in the releases page

BIOS settings :100:

A simple method to install a modified BIOS is available here (no external programmer required).

MainSub #1Sub #2Sub #3Setting
ConfigNetworkWake On LanDisabled
Serial ATA (SATA)ModeAHCI
AdvancedSystem Agent (SA) configurationGraphics ConfigurationDVMT Pre-Allocated128MB
DVMT Total Gfx MemMAX
SecuritySecurity ChipDisabled
Memory ProtectionExecution PreventionEnabled
Anti-TheftCurrent SettingDisabled
ComputraceCurrent SettingDisabled
Secure BootDisabled
StartupUEFI/Legacy BootUEFI Only
CSM SupportDisabled

Post-install

Generate your own SMBIOS

For setting up the SMBIOS info, use GenSMBIOS

  • Run GenSMBIOS, pick option 1 for downloading MacSerial and Option 3 for selecting out SMBIOS

    • MacBookPro10,2

  • Open Config.plist, find PlatformInfo >> Generic

    • The Serial part gets copied to SystemSerialNumber.

    • The Board Serial part gets copied to MLB.

    • The SmUUID part gets copied to SystemUUID.

Reminder that you want either an invalid serial or valid serial numbers but those not in use, you want to get a message back like: 'Invalid Serial' or 'Purchase Date not Validated'Apple Check Coverage

CPU power management

Recommended additional steps to improve battery life with optimized CPU power management:

  • Open Terminal, copy and paste the following command:

  • A customized SSDT.aml for your specific machine will now be in the directory /Users/yourusername/Library/ssdtPRGen

  • Rename to SSDT-PM.aml , and copy to EFI/OC/ACPI/

  • Open Config.plist, enable ACPI>>Add>>SSDT-PM.aml

  • Reboot

Unibeast catalina hackintoshUSB ports map

If you are using different model and alternative kext from Other folder does not work for you. Try:

Fully functioning multimedia Fn keys
  • Download and install ThinkpadAssistant
  • Open the app and check the launch on login option

Catalina Hackintosh

Use PrtSc key as Screenshot shortcut
  • Go under SystemPreferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Screenshots
  • Click on Screenshot and recording options key map
  • Press PrtSc on your keyboard (it should came out as F13)
Mac bootloader GUI
  • Download Binary Resources and OpenCanopy.efi
  • Copy the Resources folder to EFI/OC
  • Add OpenCanopy.efi to EFI/OC/Drivers
  • Make these changes inside config.plist:
    • Misc >> Boot >> PickerMode: External
    • Misc >> Boot >> PickerAttributes:1
    • UEFI >> Drivers and add OpenCanopy.efi

Status

What's working :white_check_mark:
  • Battery Percentage
  • Bluetooth
  • Brightness
  • Camera
  • CPU Power Management
  • Dock Support ThinkPad UltraSeries 3
  • GPU Intel HD 4000 Graphics QE/CI
  • Intel Ethernet
  • Keyboard Volume and brightness hotkeys
  • Sleep/Wake
  • Sound Automatic headphone detection, mute, volume controls fully working
  • Touchpad 1-4 fingers swipe works
  • TrackPoint Works perfectly. Just like on Windows or Linux
  • eGPU (Thanks lese9855 have confirmed it #11)
What's not working :warning:
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • VGA
  • SD Card Reader (Disable with SSDT-SDC.aml)
Bug tracker :heavy_exclamation_mark:
  • Trackpoint not working after wake from sleep

Unibeast Catalina Hackintosh

Credits

Apple for macOS

Catalina Hackintosh Guide

Acidanthera for all the kexts/utilities that they made

Rehabman and Daliansky for the patches and guides and kexts

George Kushnir for modified BIOS

Dortania for for the OpenCore Install Guide

MSzturc for ThinkpadAssistant

Install Usb Catalina Hackintosh

simprecicchiani for inspirational ThinkPad configurations