RSSPsystar releases yet another 'Mac clone'
By Tim Conneally | Published March 19, 2009, 12:18 PM
Psystar has hung on for nearly a year, continuing to offer "Mac clone" desktop systems equipped with OS X, despite the nonstop litigation they bring the company.
The Florida-based company has released its fourth OS X package, the Open(3) with Mac OS X. In its base configuration, the Open(3) is equipped with a 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E7400, 2 GB DDR2 800 MHz RAM, a 500 GB 7200 RPM SATA hard drive, and an Nvidia GeForce 8400GS 256 MB graphics card. It includes a SATA DVD R/W drive, gigabit Ethernet, 8 USB ports, LPT and RS-232 ports, as well as two PS/2 ports, despite the fact that MAC OS doesn't support them.
Like other Psystar products, the Open(3) can be upgraded to include an 6x/16x Blu-Ray burner, 802.11n, and up to 1 TB of storage. The systems start at $599.99.
Apple and Psystar, meanwhile, remain engaged in a legal battle over copyright infringement and breach of contract. Psystar's countersuit against Apple began as an accusation of a breach of the Clayton and Sherman antitrust acts, which was dismissed by Judge William Alsup. The company's charge grew to include no less than 41 different claims that challenged Apple's right to protect its software.
Hearings between the two companies are ongoing.
I use both a Mac Mini (PPC) and a PC. I always did wonder how or why Apple didn't like Mac clones. IBM didn't seem to have a tantrum when clones of it's PC popped up everywhere, but Apple goes ballistic and goes for the jugular vein of anyone who even looks at the Mac wrong.
Don't get me wrong, I like my Mac. It is used just as much as my Windows box here, as well as 2 linux boxes here in the house.
I just don't understand how they can stop someone from making a computer that is compatible with OS X. I could see if someone was trying to make a knock off of their operating system, but not the computer.
A few years back, AOpen made a PC that looked a lot like the Mac Mini. But it wasn't meant as a Mac clone, just the look of it is all. I even wanted it so I could have a PC that matched my Mac Mini. But Apple jumped all over them and AOpen had to pull the plug on that design. Now I don't want one of the new designs since it doesn't match my Mac Mini.
I'm waiting for Apple to jump all over Hauppauge for this: http://www.hauppauge.com...ducts/data_hvr1950.html which I'm planning on getting... Why? because it freaking matches! I also have an external HD case that matches from MicroNet http://www.123macmini.co...sories/reviews/101.html Here's another product that matches... http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ministack/
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|In the end, I don't think it's going to be a question of if you can sell a clone (though I don't consider this a full-fledged clone). I think it will come down to Apple not supporting their software on non-approved hardware.
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|Maybe there is something to this, otherwise I would have figured by now Apple would have pushed out an update that identified if it was genuine Apple hardware or not and just locked down OSX if so. Didn't expect Psystar to still be breathing.
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