Awesome
Razer Blade 15 Advanced 2018 - Hackintosh (macOS)
Note: I WILL NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU MESS UP YOUR COMPUTER USING THIS GUIDE!
Intro
📸 Screenshots
<details> <summary>About Mac</summary>
Hardware Upgrades and Tools
The bundled WiFi and NVMe is not compatible with macOS and should be replaced. Please find below the recommended replacement parts, already tested for compatibility. Usually I need to deploy for testing 4-5 node Kubernetes cluster with at least 4Gb per node. So 32GB is a necessary upgrade for me.
📃 Hardware
<details> <summary>BIOS</summary>This BIOS is actual only for Razer Blade 15 Advanced (2018)
| Version | |
|---|---|
OpenCore | 0.6.4 (RELEASE) |
Catalina | 10.15.7 (19H114) |
| - | - |
OpenCore | 0.7.5 (DEBUG) |
Big Sur | 11.7.1 (20G918) |
Monterey | 12.6.1 (21G217) |
| - | - |
OpenCore | 0.9.0 (RELEASE) |
Ventura | 13.2.1 (22D68) |
System BIOS | 1.08 |
EC FW | 1.02 |
MCU FW | 1.00.00.00 |
| Specifications | macOS 13 Ventura Compatibility | |
|---|---|---|
Chipset | Mobile Intel HM370 | No issues |
CPU | Intel Core i7-8750H processor, 6 Cores / 12 Threads, 2.2GHz / 4.1GHz, 9MB Cache | No issues |
Memory | 16GB dual-channel DDR4-2667MHz, up to 32GB | No issues |
GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | No issues |
dGPU | Nvidia 1060 Max-Q (6GB GDDR5 VRAM) | Nvidia Drivers absent for Catalina. ACPI should be patched to disable dGPU |
Storage | Samsung SM961 256GB NVMe M.2 | No issues |
Screen | 15.6" Full HD 60Hz, 1920 x 1080 IPS | No issues |
Webcam | Windows Hello built-in IR HD webcam (1MP / 720P) | No issues. Windows Hello is not supported in macOS |
WiFi | Intel Wireless-AC 9560NGW | No issues, using itlwm.kext and Heliport. I've replaced with DW1820A (BCM94350) |
Input & Output | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB-A) x3 | No issues |
| - | Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) | No issues |
| - | HDMI 2.0B | HDMI connected directly to Nvidia GPU and will not work in macOS |
| - | Mini DisplayPort 1.4 | Mini DisplayPort connected directly to Nvidia GPU and will not work in macOS |
Soundboard | Realtek ALC298 | No issues. ACPI patch should be added to solve sleep issue |
Battery | 80Wh | About 3-5h after proper Power Management configuration. ACPI should be patched to enable battery stats |
Keyboard | Per-key RGB powered by Razer Chroma N-Key rollover backlit | No issues. Original Razer Chroma software absent for macOS. Many thanks to BlvckBytes for MenuBar app to control Razer Blade keyboard and logo RGB lighting |
Touchpad | Precision Glass | No issues. ACPI should be patched to enable trackpad |
Dimensions | 17.8mm x 235mm x 355mm | - |
Weight | 2.21 kg | ACPI patches will not help with this. |
Power | 230W power adapter | - |
🛠Tools
<details> <summary>Accessories</summary> <br>| Accessories | Description | Amazon URL |
|---|---|---|
USB mouse | Trackpad will be unavailable during macOS installation procedure | Amazon |
USB storage with at least 16GB storage | Installation USB media | Amazon |
USB-A to USB-C cable | For USB ports detection procedure | Amazon |
| WiFi Module | Description | eBay or AliExpress URL | Confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
BCM94352Z (DW-1560) | Recommended. 2 antennas. No issues. Additional kext's are required. Easily to find for $24-60 on | eBay | community |
BCM943602BAED (DW-1830) | 3 antennas. RBA have only 2. Works out of the box. About $60-120 on AliExpress | AliExpress | community |
Note: I do recommend to use at least 1TB NVMe for dual boot with Windows 10.
| NVMe | 4k Support | Amazon URL | Confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
Samsung EVO 970 NVMe | NO | Amazon | community |
Samsung EVO 970 Pro NVMe | NO | Amazon | community |
Samsung EVO 970 Plus NVMe | NO | Amazon | Do the Samsung 970 Evo Plus drives work ? New Firmware Available for testing 5/20/19 |
Sabrent Rocket NVMe | YES | Amazon | stonevil |
WD Black SN750 NVMe | - | Amazon | community |
HP EX900 M.2 NVMe | - | Amazon | konohasaint |
Samsung PM981 | NO | Bundled with Razer Blade | suyukai |
| Memory module | Modules size | Speed | CL | Amazon | Confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ballistix Sport LT 32GB | 2x16Gb | 2666 | CL16 | Amazon | stonevil |
Kingston Technology HyperX Impact 32GB | 2x16Gb | 2666 | CL15 | Amazon | Razer Blade 15 Advanced RAM upgrade |
Credits
🔄 Usage
<details> <summary>How to install</summary>-
Use stonevil's guide for modding BIOS
-
Fill the SMBIOS section at PlatformInfo in config.plist file
-
Use OpenCore Vanilla Laptop guide to doing config.plist and create Bootable USB
-
Please create USBMap or
USBPort.kext(Use Hackintool to do this) after install for best USB plug experience -
Extra Method to Mapping USB Ports is using USBToolBox on Windows, the method is similar to USBMap but you can mapping your USB Ports on Windows.
-
Create one-key cpufriend if you often use battery, power-plug always is not recommended for best battery life
😇 Gratitude
<details> <summary>Credits</summary>- Dortania - for Vanilla guides
- Acidanthera - for OpenCore and lots of kexts
- RehabMan - for ACPI patching guides
- Stonevil - for BIOS mod and hardware suggestions
📩 Specific things
<details> <summary>Helpful Utilities</summary>- MountEFI - Help to mount /EFI folder
- ProperTree - The way to open and edit config.plist
- USBToolBox - Tool to Mapping USB Ports right on Windows
- USBMap - Tool to make a USB Map
- GenSMBIOS - Apple serial generator
- Lilu-and-Friends - To update kexts
You will have to change DVMT pre-alloc size to 64MB, and you can't do that via stock BIOS, please see how-to in here - BIOS Unlock - stonevil
</details> <details> <summary>WiFi + Bluetooth</summary></summary>You have to find out your WiFi Card to attach kexts to the EFI and config.plist
</details> <details> <summary>GPIO Pinning</summary></summary>There are hotpatches & ssdts that might be specific for a particular laptop, I think trackpad GPIO pinning might be one of them, please check your pin number as per - GPI0 Pinning, and modify SSDT-I2C if needed (currently pin number is set to 0x64 in there)
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