Psystar reports it's shipping Mac clones, begins building its office

By Ed Oswald | Published April 22, 2008, 3:26 PM

The Mac clone company said Monday that it had begun shipping PCs that had been ordered during the week of April 7, while a news outlet confirmed the company indeed is building an office at its Miami location.

If indeed true -- it is not known yet since no one has reported receiving the Open Computer yet -- it would end a tumultuous week for the Florida company. Its online store was down Friday, but had returned Monday.

Psystar says the new payment system is capable of high volume, as opposed to its previous system which encountered problems. It has also changed the name of its product from OpenMac to Open Computer, probably to avoid legal ramifications.

Its former credit card processor, PowerPay, also said that Psystar's credit processing was shut off due to misrepresentation of what it would sell and failure to properly verify credit cards. A Psystar spokesperson denied that was the case, saying it was told it had exceeded its allowance for transactions.

Mac OS X Leopard can be pre-installed on the company's system for an extra $155. The computer itself retails for $399, although a higher end model retails for $999.

So far, Apple has remained curiously silent about Psystar, even though by installing Leopard on its computers it could arguably be encouraging customers to break Apple's EULA. Part of the reason here is because it still really isn't clear whether or not it is a legitimate company.

However, the first clue as to the answer to this question may have come from IDG News Service, who paid a visit to 10475 NW 28th St. in the Doral section of Miami. The door is clearly labeled with the company's logo, which appears to be a warehouse.

Reporters noted that it appeared work was going on inside, with paint cans on the floor. A man said that the company's headquarters was not yet open to the public, and said that press needed to make an appointment in order to visit the location.

Comments

Apple is quietly marshaling its lawyers as we speak, ready for the moment that Psystar begins shipping clones. Then the hammer will fall without warning giving these fools no chance to scurry into the shadows. Sad, really..I'd love to see affordable Macs someday.

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But wait MS is the monopoly.

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Ya.. they are having a hush hush meeting at Steve Job's house..

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It would be great if he wins in court and then other companies follow. Then Apple would have no choice but to release the OS to run on any PC. Personally, the OSX is beatiful, until you try to right-click and cut, copy or paste, can't even right drag on a Mac. But still very cool to give MS some serious thought.

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My understanding is that MacOSX is ONLY licensed and will only install on a Mac. Won't it refuse to install if you try to do this on a PC anyway? So is the OS hacked or is it the hardware?

I would assume that if OSX is installable on anything other than a MAC, they will offer zero support for that system anyhow. So what kind of support will Pystar offer for their customers?

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It's the software. But it really only works well with the right non-apple motherboard (like the Asus).

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I'd be kinda interested in buying one. That way I can replace any component myself if it breaks, have you seen the prices for motherboards for any of apples systems, much less power supplies etc. They charge a fortune for them if they break and the warranty is over.

p.s. They make it so you have to buy their extended warranty, pay now or pay later is their motto I guess.

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The idea of spending $1K (cheapest mac book) on a laptop which is at least 3 times worse than a dell (specs, not quality) for the same $ is absolutely disgusting to me and I guess to a lot of other people. I really wish this company the best -- Apple needs to bring their insanely overpriced hardware down to reasonable prices.

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I'm going to be very controversial and suggest that Dell is actually more reliable (on laptops).

I have seen the MacBook Pros die time and time again with no signs of it getting better.

Dell on the other hand were terrible but are now much, much more reliable.

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I didn't say it was worse, I just wanted to avoid quality comparison because it is very subjective and usually just ends up 300 comments long with people bashing each other.

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love trolls like this.

Show me a dell which is 3 times better than the cheapest MacBook for the same price.

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There were so many choices it's hard to paste just one.

They are all better, starting the $650 dual core notebook.

http://www.dell.com/cont...n~29~inspnnb_1420_anav1~~

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To make that even close to the lowest end MacBook you have to up the processor, and upgrade to Vista Ultimate to match the features of OSX.

That puts that turd dell at over $1000. So much for 3 times the performance for the same price.

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"...That puts that turd dell..."

Who's the troll now? :) Just pullin' your chain.

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I think Vista Home Premium is equal to the OSX. Wait, I still get Media Center which kicks ass. Of course the OSX Calender is slick - what was MS thinking of putting out a calendar that looks like a beta of a freeware app- :)

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Boy, you really foam at the mouth when someone questions your boyfriend's ability to sell MacOS.

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I noticed you didn't, which was why I did.

More fun that way.

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My $1400 Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop is more powerful overall than an equivalent priced Macbook. My Dell has an ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 w/128MB video memory as well as 2GB of system DDR2 memory. The graphics alone make my Dell significantly more powerful than an equivalent priced Macbook since all non pro Macbooks only have crappy Intel integrated graphics. As for the processor, the Intel Core 2 T5500 processor in my Dell isn't noticeable slower than the processor in the Macbook.

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Sure, if you need a low end gaiming system, you can do better than a MacBook. Intel integrated graphics are total crap as you say.

I believe the best low end gaming laptop is a Gateway. http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=3273

BTW - At the $1400 pricepoint you get 2GB of RAM in a MacBook. And remember, OSX is not a bloated pig like Vista, so it does not eat a ton of RAM.

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lol. someone gets it.

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I'm sorry, but anyone who has ever worked on a computer knows that dell's are all crap.

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That's why I run Linux on my laptop. The only bad thing about the Gateway you mention is it's low resolution. My Dell laptop's 15.4-inch display has a native resolution of 1680x1050.

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Unless you've actually worked on them all, in which case you know that their business models (Optiplex/latitude) are extremely reliable.

:)

...and I'm not sorry.

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Actually, not all hacks break when the system is updated. Most recent hacks, running on computers that match most of the hardware used by Apple (ie. Core 2 Duo, etc.), do not break - they can be updated without a problem. That, obviously, doesn't mean anything EULA-wise.

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I hope they pull it off.

I also hope that Apple sues them, and loses.

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Why? If Apple only wants to sell OSX for Apple machines that's their right. No one forces Honda to sell engines for GM cars.

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Honda also doesn't sue or otherwise threaten anyone that can make their engine fit into a GM car either (or vice versa).

Just look at the racing industry.

Thanks.

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But would it be against the law for you to buy a Honda engine and put it a GM car, assuming that the Honda engine sold separately like OSX does? THAT, my friend, is where all the debate lies. And IMHO, this is going to be one heated and complicated debate. On one hand, Apple probably has taken the necessary protection. On the other hand, one could argue that if the user buys the original software, they can do with it whatever they see fit, including install it in a PC. It'll all be up to how the Justice departments interpret this. Then again, Justice departments in different countries may see this from different perspective - just to make matters even more complicated. :-)

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Honda also does own intellectual property rights on their motors in the form of digital copyrights.

Just cause you own a copy of OS X does not mean you have the right to install it on anything. Same as xbox just cause you own one doesn't mean you can legally install linux on it. At least the original not sure on the x360.

Their Terms and Agreements say that you can not install it on other hardware.

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This analogy doesn't make sense because you don't LICENSE your car, you BUY it. You don't BUY software, you pay for the right to use it. It is within Apple's rights to attach conditions to the use of their software. If they sue, they will win because this is a clear violation of the EULA. (No, I don't work for Apple, but I do work in the software industry =)

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However, it could be debated whether a misuse of the licensed software would simply make the user lose its right for support (and also do away with Apple's liability in case of any issues) or if it would actually be illegal. It all depends on how the EULA is written, and how it will be interpreted.

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Do keep in mind that OSX and the Macs ARE sold separately, so things may not be that simple. And besides, not all countries are friendly towards enforcing the use of one product on top of the other through the means of a contract. And in some countries, the consumer has rights which prevail over whatever is said in an EULA - this is the case here in Brazil.

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Honda doesnt care what their engines go in the only thing they care about is that you bought an engine apple is a messed up company they charge a ton of money for a computer that you can build for 399 screw apple they blame this and that for the fact that they want to control everything they sell

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I'm moving to Brazil...

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The EULA has never been tested in court, so to say you don't own it isn't entirely true.

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I also have the right of first sale. If I buy MacOS (in my opinion) what I use it on is my business, not Apples.

This is why I want to see it go to court. ;-)

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Yea, but they force Microsoft to strip useful features from Windows.

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Hell yes.

It will be interesting to see how they would handle that one.

I would bet they'd simply marginalize the First Sale Doctrine in regards to IP. (You can do whatever you want with the CD/DVD the OS came on, but the OS itself is not covered)

*shrug*

First sale is *great* for physical property....not so great (IMO) for IP since it basically removes any and all copyright protections.

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You people have no idea how this whole hacked thing operates do you? And STILL you are trying to sound all intelligent. Please don't.

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Since you seem to have all the answers, please elucidate.
....
....
I'm still waiting...
...
...
Ok, it's been 30 min and haven't heard anything, I didn't think I would.

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Dude... You should get out more...

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Dude...I'm at work, just looking back between the many other things I have to do. It's kinda a stress valve to come in here and vent at some of the idiots because I can't do it at work.

Anyway, it's all in fun, right?

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You should probably get a job, or a date....or some friends. Any of the three will help. Also, you went a little overboard with the ...'s. You probably shouldn't do that anymore.

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Damn straight.

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Anyone that buys one of these machines and not expect Apple to break it every time there is a patch needs to have their head examined.

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It's a great idea, as long as he is selling a true copy of OSx which appears he/she is at 155. But they would still have to install a hacked version, which most likely would be broken when you download updates. Then again, Apple's commercials brag how secure it is and less virus - so maybe not a big deal. Of course we all know Apple will stomp on the guy.

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Apple is secure because who cares to wreck havoc on 10,000 computers when you can rule 10,000,000 and with 10'000'000 computers comes windows. apple can get hacked! but is it worth it to get some graphic designers info

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No-one wrecks havoc on computers anymore... that's just old. Now they mess with our e-mails and banking info. ;-)

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They will also enlarge your p****.

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Wow...betanews actually censors P.ENIS...what a bunch of wimps.

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