[ # ] Mac-Compatible Cloning Achieved for $399

/* Posted April 14th, 2008 at 9:43am */
/* Filed under Apple, Hardware */

Psystar OpenMac Mac clone

Back in the late 80s and early 90s when IBM had a stranglehold on PC hardware, many innovative (or sinuous, depends on your view) PC makers were offering PC-compatible IBM clones for sale for cheap, driving down PC prices and benefiting the end consumers. Is the same about to happen to Apple’s Mac computer? A company called Psystar is offering a fairly capable x86 Mac clone that they claim can run the Leopard OS. In fact, the pre-installed Leopard version of their Mac clone goes for $554 on their website. The specs are:

2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB of DDR2 667 memory
Integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics upgradeable to NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT
20x DVD+/-R Drive
4 USB Ports (with Firewire upgrade)
250GB 7200RPM Drive

The magic inside the clone is based on OpenMac, which “is a configuration of PC hardware capable of running unmodified OS X Leopard kernels” that runs atop an EFI emulator. The idea is derived from the OSx86 Project which lets non-Apple machines to run Mac OS X. Unfortunately, software and hardware updates might break the fragile machine, as Psystar notes:

Can I run updates on my OpenMac?

The answer is yes and no. No because there are some updates that are decidedly non-safe. Yes because most updates are not non-safe. It’s best to check on InsanelyMac for this information but when in doubt don’t update it. You may have to reinstall your OS X if it is a non-safe update.

No official response from Apple yet on the news. The Psystar Mac clone seems to offer a load of performance for a budget price to Apple’s cheapest offering… the Mac Mini. Definitely Apple could benefit from more sales if they lowered their Mac price point but then they would risk losing their exclusivity tax. Psystar might also be violating the Leopard EULA by offering it as a pre-installed option, but there’s no rule against offering a “Leopard-compatible” Mac clone. However, for interested buyers, let’s go through a reality check. The hard and software are basically not upgradeable without a lot of work. Let Psystar work out the kinks and see what Apple has to say. If Psystar gets shut down, you’ll be stuck with a crippled machine with no customer support.