Psystar's Open Computer Makes Its Way Into Customer's Arms

[Rob Williams]

From our front-page news:

It looks like the Psystar "open computer" isn't a scam after all. One Gizmodo reader received his rig and even took a video and a few pictures of the unboxing. From what it seems, the OS boots up and runs well, but it's difficult to tell from such a short video. The biggest issue it seems, is that the OS cannot be updated, which is to be expected. If the computer isn't a true Mac, then the updater won't know what to update.

It's easy to say that the computer is worth the time if you are looking for a cheap Mac, but the fact of the matter is, Psystar is using publicly free software to accomplish what they are doing. If you are at all technically savvy, you could purchase your own parts for cheaper and accomplish the same thing.

But that's besides the point. It's not so much a scam if the computers are shipping, so this is a good sign. It will be better when we see more examples, though. Of course, I'm more interested in seeing how Apple will handle this, and more importantly, when.

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It's alive. Reader Patrick (Whiskeyfrown) is lucky enough to be using one of the few Psystar Open Computing machines that have made it into the wild, and he was generous enough to make a video showing the machine (including the connections in the back to the monitor to show that it's legit).

Source: Gizmodo
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[Kougar]

Interesting... I thought I had read Apple was trying to stamp out Psystar, because they had found an issue with the EULA that Psystar didn't meet.

I wonder if they got around it? Article I was thinking about: http://www.dailytech.com/Psystar+Really+Psychstar/article11517.htm

 

[Kougar]

Apple just filed suit against Psystar... rather late but I guess they wanted to ensure they had a case against him? Could be interesting if he fights it.

http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15123

 

[Rob Williams]

Hah, wow. I wonder where this is going to go...

It sure did take them a while, what's the deal there? Too much focus on the iPhone 3G and not enough on protecting their software, it seems.

 

[madmat]

Here's the deal, can you buy MAC OSX and not have to sign an agreement that you won't put it on anything but Apple approved hardware? If not Apple doesn't have a leg to stand on. If I buy a Windows application made by M$ and manage to make it work in Linux (yes I know this is already being done) then does M$ have the right to sue me over it? I think not. Screw Apple.

 

[Kougar]

You can buy a Mac OS X, but you can only install it on Apple hardware. The OS will verify it's a geniune Apple approved motherboard, and I believe the EULA specifies this clearly. Thanks to their EFI "BIOS" it does require some "hacks" aka workarounds to install it on a regular BIOS equipped motherboard which is what this guy was doing.

If you just want to buy the OS X box and put it on your shelf, then you don't need to sign anything upfront if that is what you are asking.

Here is some new details, get a load of this. I really wonder if the CC company had solid enough legal grounds to do this?

Psystar managed to slither along in past months despite some struggles. Its credit card service cancelled its services when it found out what Psystar was dealing. This left Psystar with no way of tracking the numerous orders it had received and sent, thanks to a combination of poor preparation on the company's part and false confidence in the credit system. Link

 

[madstork91]

Wow...
This honestly kinda pisses me off. Enough to make me want to pull the community together for the guy.

 

[madmat]

You can buy a Mac OS X, but you can only install it on Apple hardware. The OS will verify it's a geniune Apple approved motherboard, and I believe the EULA specifies this clearly. Thanks to their EFI "BIOS" it does require some "hacks" aka workarounds to install it on a regular BIOS equipped motherboard which is what this guy was doing.

If you just want to buy the OS X box and put it on your shelf, then you don't need to sign anything upfront if that is what you are asking.

Here is some new details, get a load of this. I really wonder if the CC company had solid enough legal grounds to do this?

I hope some judge is forward thinking enough to throw out EULA's like that on the grounds that it violates fair use. If I want to pony up money for an OS that someone is willing to sell me irregardless of what hardware I have it should be my right to use that software as I see fit as long as it's not in violation of copyright. If I'm inventive enough to make it work on whatever hardware I have and I'm the only one using it (as copyright law states) then it's mine and it's my right to use it as I see fit. If Apple is too shortsighted to see that it's in their best interest to sell an OS to someone to use on other hardware when that person would never buy a MAC then they are idiots plain and simple.

 

[Kougar]

Apple isn't in the market to sell OS's. They are in the market to sell their premium, name-brand computer, and they only offer their OS separately to upgrade those machines. I can understand why they do this, because they're out there to reap a huge profit and this furthers that goal.

Doesn't mean I agree with it though... but for Apple, this is the status quo. I guess being the only "designer" brand PC maker has it's perks.