'OpenMac' Promises $399 Headless Mac... But Not From Apple

[Tacitus]

I like it.

Seriously, I've always pondered over what it would be like if OS X was compatible with standard PC hardware (I.E the EFI restrictions removed).

It'll be rather like the wonderful world of Windows. Driver incompatibilities with every cheap jack add on. Loads of whining from customers who wonder why the XYZ scanner/cheap video card they got from a bloke down the pub doesn't 'just work'.

It would attract hundreds of thousands, if not millions of new customers that want OS X on their standard computer, but don't want to pay Apple's (lets face it) rip off prices for (most of the time) poor build quality products.

Rip off prices - can't afford a new one? Buy a second hand one off e-bay. Poor build quality products? You've got to be kidding. I'm typing this on a 6 year old G4 running Tiger that hasn't skipped a beat.

IMHO this can only be a good thing, that someone is tempting Apple into non Mac based hardware.

To go the MS route would be the death of Apple. Seriously, this has been beaten to death so many times it isn't worth going over it again.

I agree with some of the other posters. If you want to go this route buy your own kit and build one yourself.

 

[i.maverick]

Oh no no no, my son! Let's pretend Leopard is a Beatles CD (ironically), and you distribute it or say that you made it, etc. The RIAA will be a-knocking on your door before you say "Steve's Blue Jeans and black turtle-neck top."

Same thing for Leopard, you can't just "do what you want" because there is somethings you can't do. You can't distribute it, etc.

Linux is an OS that you can do whatever you want to do to it, because its open-source.

obviously, you can't distribute it because it amounts to piracy. but you can install it on your own hardware. the installation might take longer than saying "Steve's Blue Jeans and black turtle-neck top" though.

 

[shikimo]

I'm not claiming to know whether it's legal or not. I'm predicting that the owner(s) of the little Florida company will be homeless long before the case ever sees a courtroom.

Last time I checked, you have to HAVE assets before you are worth suing, and I get the distinct impression the people running this juicy operation aren't high rollers. Apple will try and stop them and will probably succeed, but they won't spend millions to recoup the assets of two guys and a server and in a rented apartment...unless Steve really needs a room full of crappy hardware, an old coffee machine and some dirty laundry...and even Apple can't get people evicted .

To AppleMojo: your self-righteousness is unmerited, unpleasant to read, and adds nothing to an otherwise interesting debate. Your opinions are no more valuable than those of anyone else.

 

[g00k]

if mac os would run on every pc... (perfectly ofc)
the mac would die, because noone would buy an average product for 200% of the market price.

and well ur g4 is well better build than the macbooks right now.
its not unusual if a macbook goes 1-2 times to repair per year.
the macbook pro isnt called "whine"book without a reason.

 

[AppleMojo]

lol proud of buying apple...
1) what is the most relevant difference between a normal pc and a mac? its mac os
2) and if this dissapears apple is not more than an average pc.
3) and dont tell me apple is a premium quality seller because they are not.
4) why arent u happy that there might be people now who are able to use mac os with a way cheaper pc?

i dont see how apple can sue them if they just offer an pc which is mac os run able. if they pre install it its a different story.

1) The quality of hardware, the quality of the OS and the combination of these two. It's their software, they get to choose how many devices they are compatible with to keep their software at a particular level of quality.

2) Negative

3) Wrong again

4) Simple, crap hardware sold by the cheapest Chinese manufacturer (no offense to Chinese MR members) ultimately pollutes OS X as we have it now. Your example, Microsoft. Windows would be so much more stable and easily more advanced with less hardware support. But heh, someone has to do it.

Good nuff?

 

[NathanA]

No, Apple has to bother. A company is obligated to defend their patents and copyrights whenever and wherever they are challenged, or they eventually lose the rights because they will be deemed to have abandoned them.

Not so, and it really surprises me how many people get these distinctions in US IP law confused. Now, I notice that you are from .ca, and things may be different up there for all I know, so I forgive you.

But both Apple and Psystar are US-based, so any legal proceedings will be in a US court of law. What you are thinking about where enforcement is required is with trademarks. Patents and copyrighted works in the US both allow for selective enforcement by the owner(s), so the owner is not required to press charges for every single case of infringement and can "look the other way" should they choose to. Trademarks can be diluted, though, if not actively protected; at least such is the thinking behind that particular clause in trademark law.

I agree with the others who say that Psystar is going down. Whether you think Apple's EULA is right or wrong "morally" is not really the issue here. What is the issue is that not only are they a party to software piracy per the terms of Apple's EULA, but that they are willfully using "Mac" in the name of their product. Even if you think there is a chance in hell that the Apple EULA could be overturned by a court (my prediction == not happening), Apple can make life tough for Psystar just with the legal time and $$ that they will be throwing at the trademark issue.

I also agree that it doesn't really look like this operation was set up by somebody or somebodies who thought the legal and business implications of their product through very thoroughly; there are many aspects of this that just scream "amateur." But I'm not sure that this business is necessarily setting out to make money, short- or long-term. My theory is actually that Psystar was started by a couple of Apple fans who are pissed off at the lack of a mid-range "headless" and upgradeable Mac, and stepped in to fill the void NOT because they thought they would be able to (successfully) pull it off for long, but to make a point and let the numbers of people on the internet who are commenting about it and perhaps even placing orders for such a machine do all the talking. They know Apple will retaliate; they expect them to retaliate and are anticipating the moment that it will happen. They will willfully cease-and-desist when such a time comes, but will feel that they will have successfully "made their point" by then.

Whatever the case, this is sure going to be interesting to watch as it unfolds. I'll get the popcorn if someone else wants to pull the beer mugs out of the freezer...

-- Nathan

 

[Bonte]

Dell also had a osX compatible laptop

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/02/ebay_osx_booting_dell/

 

[j_holtslander]

I'm a switcher. 15 years on Windows. 6 months on a Mac. Lovingit, and will never go back.
I own a Mac Mini which is now hooked up to my TV as an AppleTV alternative and a MacBook Pro (Brand new, top of the line.) as my primary.

I would buy this OpenMac in a heartbeat if I could put a Mac Pro video card in it. I'm phoning Psystar in the morning and may well get one of these.
If all goes well I may move the Mac Mini to the bedroom and use the OpenMac with the TV. Or maybe the OpenMac as the primary. Hmmm at $399... Lot of possibilities!

For the record I would rather have genuine Mac hardware but at that price point... MIGHTY attractive.

 

[kerpow]

This is illegal and will never happen. This is EXACTLY what Apple doesn't want: it's brand diluted with an ugly product full of bargain-bin components to appeal to the wellfare market. No thanks.

And Apple themselves don't sell such a product? Perhaps I should introduce you to the Mac Mini or Apple TV.

 

[g00k]

k applemojo
point proven...
still u wanna tell me that apple is a premium seller?
price doesnt make u too a premium seller.
i think a premium seller should have high quality product plus superb service.
both are at apple only average.
the serviceu which u believe is so good is a service u paid extra before...
for a product of 2k usd isnt it natural too get at least 2years warranty?
and i dont know cause i never owned an ipod myself but my friends warrany didny work on the i dont know the word for it... the connection for his ears because it was loose...
thats what i call premium he?

 

[AppleMojo]

if mac os would run on every pc... (perfectly ofc)
the mac would die, because noone would buy an average product for 200% of the market price.

and well ur g4 is well better build than the macbooks right now.
its not unusual if a macbook goes 1-2 times to repair per year.
the macbook pro isnt called "whine"book without a reason.

This guy is full of crap.

I get a kick out of people so jealous of a Mac, they foam at the mouth.

We didn't go looking for you, you came to a Mac forum... I wonder what drives them to be so upset.

Let me ask you a question, how often do you post over at Bugatti.com about the Veyron? I think we already know the answer.

 

[inkswamp]

In all honesty, why would you buy a fake mac? Its nothing to be proud of really..

If you're buying computers to fill some pride gap in your life, I would recommend other activities. Buying a computer is nothing to be proud of. That has to be one of the weirdest comments I've seen on MacRumors.

I hope apple tears them apart.

It's amazing that some group decides to step up to the plate and offer what Apple idiotically refuses to offer themselves--despite the fact that there is obvious demand from consumers--and people here will condemn that as if some horrific crime has been perpetrated against Apple. Screw that! I hope these guys thrive, if only so Apple will pull their collective heads out of their a__es and actually start selling a mid-range tower.

It seems each week we hear some new patent or new bit of news about the iPhone or the iPod or iTunes and yet, the update cycle for the iMac and the Mac Mini has slowed to a crawl. Apple has lately been letting people down in terms of their consumer-level offerings. The Mac Mini is woefully outdated and overpriced and the iMac has some serious display issues that need to be rectified.

It's time someone gave Apple a good swift kick to the side of the head. Hopefully, it does some good.

 

[Eric5h5]

Whether a EULA is enforceable in court depends where you live. In most places in the U.S., it is not, or at least there's nothing that a company can put in a EULA that overrides your rights. Companies don't get to just write laws to suit themselves. If you read the EULA for almost all games, it basically says you can't transfer it to anyone else. Yet, eBay is full of used games. Entire store chains are dedicated to selling used games. Hence, the EULA is being blatantly violated left, right and center, and yet there's nothing the software companies can do about it because they can not take away your rights.

That said, these guys are pretty stupid. "OpenMac"? Seriously? That will never be allowed. Even if they change the name, Apple will probably hassle them into oblivion. Still, maybe there's a slight chance this episode will nudge them toward making a decent headless Mac that isn't a Mac Pro. I seriously doubt such a machine wouldn't expand the Mac market...there might a few sales cannibalized from other models here and there, but overall they'd just end up selling more Macs and making more money.

--Eric

 

[orpheus1120]

Gee, I come over from Windows to Mac, only to find the desire for cheap, ugly boxes that require constant tweaking to make it work correctly isn't a Windows phenomena, but a psychological condition that must be treated and cured.

Couldn't put it any better! ^ +1

 

[Cloudsurfer]

I'd buy this one, seriously. I use Macs for Mac OS X, not for the Apple logo on top of it. Apple will obviously burn this down to the gound, though.

 

[g00k]

@applemojo
do u know why i am here?
first of all i own a iphone
2nd i am thinking of buying an macbook or mbp after the redesign.
i am not here to piss u off.

well any critism is getting crushed here?
but i am only willing to pay for a macbook or pro if they are really eliminating the problems of the current series.
btw mojo could u come down from ur horse and talk like a normal person?
its so annoying that u think u are so much better because u buy apple...
that may be a reason why some people hate apple so much, not because of the product they are selling but becaue of the little freakish fanatics of this company.

apple pros: cant count all of them
apple contra: 0

 

[HyperZboy]

The verdict is in....

AppleMojo, Apple fanboys, Apple store employees, and idiots in general all agree with Mr. Burns from the Simpsons.......

"RELEASE THE HOUNDS!"

I hope this gets released for one simple reason: to make Apple wake up and release such a product themselves. That is what PowerComputing, Motorola, and the other clone makers did to Apple way back. They forced Apple to make better computers with more value than they were making at the time and give the consumers what they really wanted.

A mid-sized expandable Mac mini-tower does not currently exist and this company is smart for hitting this price point and market.

I don't like what it looks like, but if Apple doesn't offer this product, I'll certainly consider it as an option.

As for all of AppleMojo's legal wrangling and EULA whining... I'll bet money Apple will only be able to stop them from pre-installing Leopard. And no, Apple will not be suing buyers of this machine.

Hopefully, Apple has this exact type machine already up its sleeve for release soon. If not, that's Apple's fault, not mine. There are tons of people out there looking for something close to a Mac Pro that isn't the weight and size of a tank. If Apple continues to fail regarding that, than I hope this company succeeds.

Finally, yes, I'm an Apple fanboy too, but some of the fanboy comments in here on this subject are even beneath the level of fanboy groveling even I'm used to. I'm not saying I'm going to buy this product, but I'm certainly going to watch this situation and will certainly consider it if Apple doesn't step up to the plate on this type of product. That's my 2¢

 

[willcodejavafor]

applemojo ftw

 

[Cloudsurfer]

@applemojo
do u know why i am here?
first of all i own a iphone
2nd i am thinking of buying an macbook or mbp after the redesign.
i am not here to piss u off.

well any critism is getting crushed here?
but i am only willing to pay for a macbook or pro if they are really eliminating the problems of the current series.
btw mojo could u come down from ur horse and talk like a normal person?
its so annoying that u think u are so much better because u buy apple...
that may be a reason why some people hate apple so much, not because of the product they are selling but becaue of the little freakish fanatics of this company.

apple pros: cant count all of them
apple contra: 0

There are no more problems with the MacBooks than any other computer (or any digital device for that matter). It's just that people with problems will always complain, but people without problems will seldom speak.

Besides that, the MacBook is in it's 5th revision now. Things like whine and other stuff has long been worked out.

 

[Macnoviz]

PC Wars Episode II: Attack of the clones

(I'd photoshop a poster if I had more time)

 

[g00k]

i read that the macbook pro is getting really hot on the surface...
so hot that it annoys many user... is this right? correct me if i am wrong
thanks god there are people who can respond in a mannered/normal way.

 

[Sun Baked]

It isn't just that we are fanboys here...

When a company says they are selling a Mac alternative to run OS X, advertises it as fully compatible and upgradeable ...

Then uses the legal sounding weasel words to their customers basically saying, that they don't support OS X on the machine, don't expect all the apps to work, and don't expect all the Apple OS upgrades to work.

Basically this is a lot like that expensive 2.3 million dollar Mercedes sitting in a garage, so sorry you can only drive it for 10 minutes before it shuts off -- but we aren't standing behind that vehicle and don't expect people to drive it. But enjoy it anyways.

Whether it is a $400 product or a $2.3 million one, you sort of expect some of the advertising to be true.

 

[Foggy]

I wouldn't buy it, but I am still (and suspect forever will be) waiting for a machine somewhere between the mac mini and mac pro (I'd have a mac mini if I could run dual 1600x1200 monitors from it). Just wish this would mac Apple reconsider selling a £700ish headless mac.

 

[Tacitus]

@applemojo
its so annoying that u think u are so much better because u buy apple...

No doubt applemojo can answer for himself.

As far as I'm concerned I don't think I'm any better because I buy Apple products. I just get get sick of whiners who want a Bentley for the price of a pint.

Gee, I come over from Windows to Mac, only to find the desire for cheap, ugly boxes that require constant tweaking to make it work correctly isn't a Windows phenomena, but a psychological condition that must be treated and cured..

Brilliantly put!!

 

[inkswamp]

Doesn't sound to me entirely like a statement from a lawyer.. To some degree perhaps, but that kind of serves as a blow to my confidence in the OpenMac being a save investment.

Why? All it sounds like to me is legal CYA to stop them from being sued into oblivion the first time someone finds some piece of software or peripheral that doesn't work with the OpenMac. They're just putting up a shield against the inevitable few idiots who will expect 100% compatibility and/or misread any malfunctioning software as a compatibility problem specifically caused by the hardware.

Hell, Leopard still has software compatibility problems that were fine on Tiger. CS2 still reportedly doesn't work for crap under Leopard. Does that shake your confidence in Apple?

Anyway, for the rest of us who are willing to take on such a minor risk, that clause is no threat or blow to confidence.