Definition: Hackintosh

(HACK MacINTOSH) A non-Apple PC that runs the Mac operating system. A Hackintosh is a patched Mac operating system that runs on a non-Apple x86-based PC. It is an illegitimate Mac clone (from Apple's viewpoint) that became possible after Apple switched the Mac to Intel CPUs in 2006.

Also called an "OSx86 machine" because Mac OS X was Apple's OS brand at that time, a Hackintosh uses a modified Mac OS X or macOS operating system from various sources. Apple updates cannot be used, and patches have to be made for new OS releases from Apple. In addition, the x86 machine must support the UEFI BIOS. See Intel Mac, UEFI, x86 and Macintosh clone.

Hackintosh.com
The Hackintosh website provides instructions for running various versions of the Mac OS X and macOS operating systems on non-Apple x86-based PCs.

The Commercial Hackintosh
In 2008, Florida-based Psystar began shipping an x86-based Mac clone under its Open Computer brand. Booting into Mac OS X at a considerably lower price than a genuine Mac, Apple sued Psystar, which paid damages and closed its doors within a couple years.