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Some Windows 7 upgrades could be derailed by...Psystar?
12 comments- TAGS:Apple, Macintosh, Psystar, Windows 7
- IT TOPICS:Macintosh & Apple, Windows & Microsoft
This may sound strange but I believe there exists a certain subset of users out there who may be tempted to upgrade their PCs to Mac OS X rather than Windows 7. Here's why.
Let's say you're a fairly savvy Windows user who just bought a relatively high-end PC laptop or desktop in the past two years. It likely came with Vista but they might have downgraded it to XP. This machine probably contains something like an Intel Dual Core processor and at least 2 GB of RAM.
Now they're faced with the prospect of "upgrading" to Windows 7.
I use quotes because upgrading usually means you don't have to erase your drive and start over. On most Windows 7 installations you're going to have to do a "Fresh Install". A lot of Windows users will be very familiar with this, however.
I ususally do a fresh install after I get a new Windows machine because it is quicker than uninstalling all of the "crapware" that the manufacturer has conveniently installed on my pristine PC. I've also taken to downgrading to XP because Vista didn't offer me a reason to put up with the hassles.
Now, Windows 7 is out and isn't a bad release. But, besides the time to totally rebuild your machine, it will cost you from $120 to over $300 to go buy the modern OS.
However, timed perfectly with the Windows 7 launch was a bombshell of an announcement from Psystar. The company that makes OS X clones and is always in the news because of the ongoing lawsuit between it and Apple, is now selling, for $49.99, an 8MB program that will allow your to install Snow Leopard on many high-end PCs.
If PC upgraders decide to try this route, they'll also need to pick up Snow Leopard. That is $25 for just the DVD - which will work in this case though Apple says you should use a $145 Mac Box Set if you aren't upgrading from Leopard. That also includes iLife and iWork, a full range of home and work applications that are very useful.
Keep in mind that Apple's EULA says that Snow Leopard is only to be installed on an Apple-branded machine - but if you are going the Psystar route, you are probably the type that considers this "a gray area".
Another thing to keep in mind is that Psystar's solution is a serious hack. Apple could come along and disable it with an update (though Psystar offers a "Safe Update" detecter which will keep your machine "safe"). There could also be some unforseen issues with the installation and Apple might not support all devices and chipsets on your PC. Apple's techncal support won't be available to you nor will your hardware provider be versed on the issues with Hackintoshes. And don't even think of stepping foot in an Apple store with that thing!
Psystar's tool, which is free to download and try, will tell you which of your PC's componenets are compatible or won't work with OSX.
Still, all of that notwithstanding, Psystar does offer a compelling $75 alternative to a (twice as expensive) Windows 7 upgrade to those who:
- Have a fast, Mac OS X-compatible PC
- Are savvy enough to install Psystar's bootloader
- Aren't worried about the legal issues surrounding Psystar and OSX
- Aren't going to miss the games that are available to the PC which aren't available on the Mac OS
I don't think this group is big enough to offset any significant amount of Windows 7 adoptions, but to the very important, tech savvy, high end PC users, Psystar has a compelling counter-offer to Windows 7.
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