Some more information regarding PsyStar and its Opencomputer have surfaced, that try to dispel some of the doubts surrounding the company. Last week, the company posted a video online that supposedly showed the inside of the company, as wel as a bunch of OpenComputers running Mac OS X, Ubuntu, and Windows XP. In addition, a Gizmodo reader has sent a video to Gizmodo where he shows off his OpenComputer.
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Member since:2005-06-29
Member since:2006-12-15
Competing on price is still competing, Kroc. It's just not the kind of competing Apple people like. "
Wait... Let me get this straight... Offering a product that is broken by default for a lower price is competing?
Let's see, with the PsyStar you get
1. A computer PsyStar doesn't want you to upgrade the hardware on (from their FAQ).
2. A computer PysStar doesn't want you to upgrade the OS on (from their FAQ).
3. A computer that may or may not be crippled should you choose to upgrade it.
So... Everyone is up in arms about Apple's lock in and yet will champion the cause of a company that is breaking Apple EULA and using the EFI V1 - V8 emulator without consent of its author--all for a product that is BROKEN from the get go.
Yes, that sure sounds like competition... Sounds more like fanaticism to me. If you're that hard up on cash that you can't buy an Apple, build your own Hackintosh, it's not like it hasn't been documented to a T.
Member since:2005-07-08
How good is Apple hardware today, my MiniMac mobo died after 30 days, Did Apple even apologize or compensate for this, nope, just changed the mobo like nothing had ever happened. My museum Macs still boot though after 15 years.
My own crap made PCs generally last 3-8 years depending on board brand and 3 years for drives, I'd expect the same from Psystar if I dared. Apple buys it parts from the same pool as everyone else but maybe steers clear of the lowest quality suppliers. Oh and I'd really love to know why an Apple DIMM upgrade for my MiniMac is worth $300 for a 2nd Gig.
All some of us want is a good deal more Mac choice at the lower middle end for expandability, like we had before.
Reminds me of all the stuff you see in Bestbuy or Circuitcity these days, put some gold plating on cable connectors and charge the punters 10x the usual price for same thing. There's a big enough pool of people that don't know better that you can keep on $ raping them till the cows come home.
Member since:2005-11-10
I've been through four complete replacements and four repairs for a MacbookPro. Apple hardware is certainly getting less reliable, and "Rev.A" still plagues them. Price has come down though especially since the switch to Intel. PPC hardware always had a wee premium.
For all the trouble I've had though, I made the right choice - because Apple support is not Dell support 
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2006-12-05
The PC I'm running now is fast-approaching eight years old, having various parts upgraded or added over the years, and still going strong. This specific machine did cost quite a bit, and was somewhere in between medium- and high-end when built, so that could be it too...
I have older PCs that would still work today if I didn't take them apart for parts. And assuming I actually wanted to run a Pentium II.
Unfortunately, I've never had any Macs, so no idea how well-built those are... all I know is the Macs they had at my schools crashed like there was no tomorrow. That is... until OS X came out. Now, I'd like to get a Mac, but three problems:
1. They're way too expensive.
2. What? Only shiny white? Bleh, where's black?! Yes, paint job matters to me when it comes to electronics.
3. Where's the customization? I like to be able to upgrade my system over time, and would sacrifice the "legendary" Apple look if they would allow you to buy such a machine without asking you to send an arm, a leg, and a testicle their way.
It seems that with Apple, you either go pretty decently-priced and non-customizable, or expensive (I would say overpriced) and customizable.
Member since:
2005-11-10
I don't see the huge fuss. You are paying (over the odds) - for an OSx86 machine, that you may not even receive at all, when you could build your own using the free information and software available on the Internet, for less.
Also, software update doesn't work. Just wait until someone uses a 'sploit to hose hackintoshes, and watch as the blame is placed on Apple for their "insecure operating system".
Secondly - the reason to have a Mac, is the hardware. You will not understand this unless you own Mac hardware - no matter what argument you have. (How can you argue against the real deal, when you only have the counterfeit?)
I don't care what "questions this raises", the Psystar computer is a crap knockoff, badly done and not even as good as a Chinese effort. I would complain less if they made something that could actually *compete* with a real Mac.
Edited 2008-04-29 11:23 UTC