[Skunkworks] Is Apple Hardware and OS the most proprietary systems ?

I often admire Open Source and Free Software foundations technologists, gurus and volunteers who end up with very expensive Apple products, which in my view are the subject line. Besides Hackintosh, is there any other way to install a full functional MAC OS on any 3rd party laptop/pc? If so, where does one buy the OS CD? Suppose I want to covert my netbook into a MAC mini, can you offer any advice? This one for the hardcore Apple users and engineers. Shower us with the bits and bytes on MAC OS, iPhone application, iTunes restrictions outside US and Europe. -- The EL_Diablo is a metaphor...