Psystar Offers $399 "OpenMac" Computer

mytrip writes to tell us that Psystar has announced a new line of Intel-based computers that promise to run an unmodified version of Mac OS X "Leopard". Unfortunately almost immediately after the launch their website went down and as of this story remains unaccessible. "Astute readers may well hear this news and ask themselves if it doesn't sound like a Mac clone, something whose time came -- during Gil Amelio's tenure at Apple -- and went shortly after current CEO Steve Jobs assumed the helm at the company. [...] It definitely defies the EULA for Mac OS X, which specifies that the purchaser of a legal copy of Leopard is entitled to install the operating system on an Apple-branded computer. If you buy the $399 OpenMac, you can check the EULA yourself if you also buy the pre-install option, as the company includes a retail copy of Leopard with your purchase."

Re:No wonder Apple wants to stop Psystar

[ColdWetDog]

I'm sure it's gonna take Apple seconds to upgrade their OS so that it refuses to work on these things.

Nope, they didn't even have to do that because the Reality Distortion Field [wikipedia.org] is so all powerfull. Note FTFA

Psystar announced Monday OpenMac, an Intel-based computer built from industry-standard parts that the company claims will run an unmodified version of Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard." The company achieves this by using a EFI V8 emulator that it said tricks a Leopard installer CD into thinking the OpenMac is a genuine Mac. Shortly after making its announcement, the company's Web site went down, and it remains inaccessible as of this writing. (emphasis mine)

.

Pretty impressive. Steve doesn't even need lawyers.

OpenMac website...

[downix]

I imagine it now...
Webmaster: We just put up the site!
Technician: Oh no, the site just went down!
Webmaster: Did Apple slap us with a S&D letter?
Technician: No, someone posted our link on Slashdot!

Re:OpenMac website...

[CompMD]

In English, the word "cease" does not start with the letter "S."

EXCELLENT!!

[$RANDOMLUSER]

I've been wanting to replace my Franklin Ace!

"Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them in summer school".

$400 for a Mac

[onkelonkel]

Seems a little overpriced. /ducks

Re:No wonder Apple wants to stop Psystar

[truthsearch]

Yes, but pissed off people make more noise than happy customers.

Never met a mac fan, have you?

Re:EULA's

[ForumTroll]

Does anybody doubt that if Apple made Mac OS run on clone PCs, they'd take over Microsoft's position in a year?

Yes.

"includes a retail copy of Leopard..."

[Theatetus]

If TFA is right, the $399 includes Leopard.

And, as I keep pointing out whenever I hear this "bundling is great when Apple does it" argument: the whole point is I don't want half of the crap that a mac makes me pay for, anyways.

Re:EULA's

[Anonymous Coward]

The only real difference between Microsoft and Apple:

Microsoft will come up to you, shake your hand, and tell you that they have that will work for you. And they'll tell you that they're going to bend you over & give it to you up the ass, and you choose to buy Microsoft (or not buy Microsoft).

Apple will come up to you, shake your hand, and welcome you to the wonderful world of Apple. They'll make you feel good about yourself, they'll make you feel damn near loved and they'll show you how easy your needs are satisfied on Apple. They'll make the sale, cause you want to buy from a company that loves you afterall, and you'll become an instant fanboi. Then, when you least expect it, an Apple rep will come into your house, bend you over & give it to you up the ass.

I'm no fan of either Microsoft or Apple, but at least Microsoft is honest about the anal rape.

It's How MS Started

[WebmasterNeal]

Perhaps this is the first step in Apple becoming a giant monopoly selling their OS and other software.

Lawyers' wet dream

[noewun]

This must be the kind of case Apple's lawyers fantasize about. You can almost hear them snarling and clawing at their cage door.

Re:Mmm....

[PC and Sony Fanboy]

we're talking about apples, not mangos. get a clue ;)

Re:No wonder Apple wants to stop Psystar

[Joe U]

I'm guessing you're a law student who got halfway through the Contracts casebook and then just stopped reading? See the above case, which is taught in most first year Contracts courses and is still good law.

Not in all districts, some have ruled differently, and you should know that. (http://www.internetlibrary.com/cases/lib_case209.cfm)

Whether it seems fair or not, you are wrong, shrink wrap licenses ARE enforceable.

You're obviously posting anonymously to avoid paying my reading fee, which you agreed to by reading my message. Since all comments are owned by the poster (see below), and licenses you can't read before hand are enforcable (according to you), you owe me $50. So, please pay up or I'll have to call a collection agency.

Re:Mmm....

[aliquis]

But I have to say that sometimes it's rather convenient when I get things like new firmwares for my battery1!!, EFI, new graphics drivers and so on thru their software update. It's not like Windows (last time I checked, Linux and Solaris even less) yells and tell me: There are a new BIOS update for your motherboard, and a new firmware for your DVD-player and let me install them, and if there was the suggestions may be of worse versions when the ones you already had. With Apple soft- and hardware this can and is done and even thought I haven't noticed any difference and on a normal PC maybe it wouldn't had mattered it was done and I didn't had to do anything to find the updates or try to find out if there was any.

Re:No wonder Apple wants to stop Psystar

[cashman73]

Hmm, that's funny. The same logic hasn't stopped the MAFIAA.

Re:No wonder Apple wants to stop Psystar

[Divebus]

This License allows you to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time.

That's why the OS X boxed product has Apple stickers in it.

Re:No wonder Apple wants to stop Psystar

[jelton]

I thought those were for placement on my car's rear window so that thieves would know to break into my car and steal my backpack...

Re:No wonder Apple wants to stop Psystar

[jeremyp]

You're obviously posting anonymously to avoid paying my reading fee, which you agreed to by reading my message. Since all comments are owned by the poster (see below), and licenses you can't read before hand are enforcable (according to you), you owe me $50. So, please pay up or I'll have to call a collection agency.

You obviously forgot to read the Slashdot Terms of Service [sourceforge.com].

In each such case, the submitting user grants SourceForge the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, and display such Content (in whole or part) worldwide and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed, all subject to the terms of any applicable license.

You can't make a charge for your postings on Slashdot.

Re:No wonder Apple wants to stop Psystar

[eck011219]

Nah, it's so thieves know that you already spent all your money on a Mac and there's no point in rifling through your glovebox.