Another option might be to run Knoppix on OSX using qemu to emulate an x86 and run a Knoppix / x86 virtual machine and have the best of both worlds.

http://fabrice.bellard.free.fr/qemu/

Sounds like the Mac crowd in the QEMU user forum are pretty happy with performance on their platform.

http://www.dad-answers.com/qemu-forum/index.php

~pau1