Forums | MacLife

Website is still up, but almost slashdotted.  Details seem to be:

"Psystar's OpenMac clone is priced at about $399 -- less than one-fifth of what a similar, Apple-branded system sells for. It also represents a direct violation of Apple's end-user license agreement, which forbids third-party installations of Leopard.

OpenMac features Leopard preinstalled atop a 2.2-GHz Intel (NSDQ: INTC) Core Duo processor with an integrated Intel 950 graphics chip, 2 GB of DDR system memory, and a 250-GB storage drive. It also offers 4 USB ports and a 20x DVD+/-R drive." from Information Week.



Lawyers away!!

Integrated video is a non issue when you can add a card to it. Even when you can't add a card it's only an issue depending on your needs.

I know, I know, but in theory at least.

Installing a graphics card is mechanically identical to making toast, except you don't need to push it down twice.  Theoretically, anyone capable of making toast should have no trouble installing a card.  Stick it in the slot and press a lever; what could be easier?

What's more, the NVIDIA and AMD drivers in OS X flawlessly support virtually every single graphics card made over the past 6 years;  support in the MP is limited by artificial restrictions.

Last edited by Mr. T (2008-04-14 11:20 pm)

Daniel wrote:

You also have to unscrew the cover plate for the slot, and then screw the card in. 

The vast majority of cases nowadays are completely tool-less (that's why I said lever, not screw).  You're right about the slot cover though.. 

Last edited by Mr. T (2008-04-14 11:46 pm)

I rate it as
30% fake, due to not delivering, possibly banking on Apple suing, but they still get money; the point the angry buyers to Apple.
10% Legit, with Apple leaving it alone, banking on all of those new consumers buying Mac Laptops, etc.
10% Legit, but Apple interfers. No harm because they use a loophole or some sort of glitch to win the case, such as how the EULA in winSafari ays that it must Be on Apple hardware only, possibly
30% Legit, Apple interferes, but wins
20% other



EDIT: changed percentages a bit

Last edited by FutureDreamz (2008-04-15 5:17 pm)

Mr. T wrote:

Installing a graphics card is mechanically identical to making toast, except you don't need to push it down twice.  Theoretically, anyone capable of making toast should have no trouble installing a card.  Stick it in the slot and press a lever; what could be easier?

What's more, the NVIDIA and AMD drivers in OS X flawlessly support virtually every single graphics card made over the past 6 years;  support in the MP is limited by artificial restrictions.

I've fought enough integrated graphics boards to know this is only true for boards that don't have integrated graphics. You usually have to upgrade the BIOS, install some sort of mystery patch or in the case of some Linux installs, pray. I wish it had been that easy, but it just isn't.

Back to the legality. No matter what, Apple has to win this from their perspective.

When you think about it, Apple can't loose. It will only spew forth lawsuits like "Microsoft won't let us install the xBox OS on standard hardware." Sorry, Apple's gona win.

Mr. T wrote:

support in the MP is limited by artificial restrictions.

That depends on what you mean by "support."

Fried Chicken wrote:

*waits patiently for a 3rd party confirmation*

Here ya go. Saw it earlier today.

reece_james wrote:

Mr. T wrote:

Installing a graphics card is mechanically identical to making toast, except you don't need to push it down twice.  Theoretically, anyone capable of making toast should have no trouble installing a card.  Stick it in the slot and press a lever; what could be easier?

What's more, the NVIDIA and AMD drivers in OS X flawlessly support virtually every single graphics card made over the past 6 years;  support in the MP is limited by artificial restrictions.

I've fought enough integrated graphics boards to know this is only true for boards that don't have integrated graphics. You usually have to upgrade the BIOS, install some sort of mystery patch or in the case of some Linux installs, pray. I wish it had been that easy, but it just isn't.

Pretty close. Build many Windows boxes? Disable onboard graphics in BIOS &/or Device Manager; remove graphics driver to be thorough; install graphics card and driver, reboot, not necessarily in that order. Simple.

When you think about it, Apple can't loose. It will only spew forth lawsuits like "Microsoft won't let us install the xBox OS on standard hardware."

It wouldn't work on anything but an Xbox. It's customized to that hardware, and (exceedingly) leaned out to provide only those services, APIs and drivers needed by that game box.

333imacman wrote:

Couldn't they legally sell a computer like this, without a copy of Leopard included?

They're available- they're called PCs.

reece_james wrote:

mo' ron wrote:

Mr. T wrote:

support in the MP is limited by artificial restrictions.

That depends on what you mean by "support."

Well if 'artificial' includes 'busting into fire' when you use it...

No.

Anyhoo, the site is up now.

Open Computer: The Smart Alternative to an Apple 
Why spend $1999 to get the least expensive Apple computer with a decent video card when you can pay less than a fourth of that for an equivalent sleek and small form-factor desktop with the same hardware. Sometimes reinventing the wheel is a good thing. The Open Computer can work for new Mac users and Mac geniuses, alike.

New to Mac: I Want a Mac
You don't need to spend an arm and a leg to get the full OS X Leopard experience. Apple's Mac Mini is completely stripped and still expensive. Why would you want a stripped-down computer, anyway? You asked for a good and inexpensive computer that can run OS X and we answered with the Open Computer which is

less expensive than even the cheapest Apple computer out now
faster than most Apple computers out now
running arguably the best operating system available
ready to run out of the box when you purchase it with Leopard included. If you buy Leopard with your Open Computer we'll install it for free.
Read more... 

Experts and Geniuses: I Want a Hackintosh
This is a great opportunity for the experienced user. With the Open Computer you can

run a Vanilla kernel for the genuine Leopard experience
get under the hood and really see what makes OS X tick
run Mac Pro equivalent hardware at Mac Mini prices
develop device drivers and applications specific to OSx86
Read more...

http://psystar.com/psystar_openmac_osx8 … wheel.html

My color added.

Bat wrote:

reece_james wrote:

Mr. T wrote:

Installing a graphics card is mechanically identical to making toast, except you don't need to push it down twice.  Theoretically, anyone capable of making toast should have no trouble installing a card.  Stick it in the slot and press a lever; what could be easier?

What's more, the NVIDIA and AMD drivers in OS X flawlessly support virtually every single graphics card made over the past 6 years;  support in the MP is limited by artificial restrictions.

I've fought enough integrated graphics boards to know this is only true for boards that don't have integrated graphics. You usually have to upgrade the BIOS, install some sort of mystery patch or in the case of some Linux installs, pray. I wish it had been that easy, but it just isn't.

Pretty close. Build many Windows boxes? Disable onboard graphics in BIOS &/or Device Manager; remove graphics driver to be thorough; install graphics card and driver, reboot, not necessarily in that order. Simple.

reece_james wrote:

mo' ron wrote:

That depends on what you mean by "support."

Well if 'artificial' includes 'busting into fire' when you use it...

No.

My bad, thought it was MBP. That's fair enough then. As for the video drivers, I've had issues on fresh installs with windows. Normally anything with a VIA chipset...

I wonder if they'll sell hacked disks...

We'll see what happens. Already we're seeing that tech is not going to be safe during this recession. Apple relies heavily on consumers spending disposable income, but they, probably more than anyone, have the cash on hand to reduce their margins to try and keep sales afloat.

The problem is that overall the market is moving toward laptops and portables - an area where Apple does quite well. The cost would also be a bit higher. I doubt Apple would use off-the-shelf components. I think we'd get something along the lines of a Shuttle SFF PC.

Bat wrote:

ready to run out of the box when you purchase it with Leopard included. If you buy Leopard with your Open Computer we'll install it for free.

haha, I  missed that. nice.

Last edited by Mr. T (2008-04-15 10:42 am)