Pystar (offline right now, presumably by either digg or Apple’s hand back up now) has announced availability of a new ‘OpenMac’ system, going for $399. While this is probably illegal in about five ways, it seems awesome (and logical) from my point of view. For one, it finally makes an “Apple” computer cost effective for the average person; this could give an out to those suffering with Microsoft’s altogether underwhelming Vista, which comes pre-loaded on pretty much any computer you can buy in stores today. Not that the OpenMac will make it into stores, but if the company doesn’t get slapped with a lawsuit before being able to follow through, it will set the path for other small companies (who have the same lack of legal expertise) to do the same.
Also, the specs, as shown below, are astounding for a computer costing just $399 (though Leopard comes at a $155 premium—they’ve got to BUY the copy). My first Mac was a PPC 1.42GHz Mac Mini with superdrive, 512MB RAM, and an 80GB HDD, and it cost right around $1000—ah, how times have changed. And you know what? I could justify this purchase right now, seeing as that very same Mac Mini just died (logic board failure; Apple genius told me to take a hammer to it) a week or so back. I could actually buy this generously equipped Hackintosh for the cost of replacing my old Mac Mini.
- 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2GB of DDR2 667 memory
- Integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics
- 20x DVD+/-R Drive
- 4 USB Ports
- 250GB 7200RPM Drive
—Apple Gazette - Psystar offers $399 ‘OpenMac’
(Thanks, Zach!)
Colin - I tend to agree with you, an OpenMac seems like a good idea in principle, but the company will never survive the wrath of the mighty Apple (more specifically, their legal team). I wish that Apple would come out with a *really* low cost Mac. I recognize the Mac Mini, but by the time you purchase a monitor, keyboard and mouse, you’re not much farther away from just buying an iMac.
I think that Pystar’s mistake was selling pre-installed copies of Os X on their hardware. I’d be surprised if their hardware will really run Os X without any modification. If so, that means that they’ve reverse engineered Apple firmware, which is yet another legal issue.
Still - it’s an interesting concept, but if Pystar is based in the US, they won’t be around for very long.
-Michael Lundberg
Agreed on the reverse-engineering Apple software. They have stated that they need to use “minimal modification” to make it run on their hardware, which is a no-no. If the “minimal” part is true, though, they could get away with selling those boxes along with highly detailed instructions on how to install Leopard.
I’ve also got qualms about the “Apple updates may kill your computer” thing, but that’s to be expected with anything “hacked.”
I also agree about Apple needing to come out with something new. They could sell a small tower that’s not too beastly in power, but still with a shiny, apple-designed (removable) case. Then, they should supports swapping of innards to an extent (like the Mac Pro). The base tower would be cheap as all get-out, and you’d basically only pay for the fact it ran Leopard.
Here’s a small update on the Psystar “scandal”, courteously of my favorite Apple rumor site, Apple Insider:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/04/16/report_waves_caution_at_shadiness_of_would_be_mac_clone_maker.html
It appears to be a scam, or at best, someone with little to no financial backing. In either case, I doubt we’ll be seeing any products from them any time soon. That’s too bad, because it would’ve been interesting.
Enjoy,
Michael Lundberg
Pystar is just selling OSx86 software with machines that they build. The Apple EULA isn’t anything to fear because even Apple users who bought Leopard have installed it on both their desktop laptop a clear violation of the EULA. But in this case the “Apple branded machine” is really weak since the OSx86 people don’t hack the DVD anymore they just use a retail disc. The only modified thing is the user’s own hardware, so there is no circumvention of anything. This is the reason Apple hasn’t really done much.
Think about it Exxon-Mobile signs an agreement with Honda, and the agreement states that at purchase you have to agree to only fuel up at Exxon-Mobile in order to have your car, even if Exxon-Mobile sells gas more expensive then all the others, how many courts that you know will enforce it, even then how will they know? As long as the disc is not modified then its legitamite.
Because the EULA only allows Apple software on Apple machines but that won’t stop the sales person from saying that you should buy it.
@ webterractive -
“This is the reason Apple hasn’t really done much.”
Good read. Apple just announced the lawsuit.
Any other legal insight?