Return of the Clones?

For $399, a company called Psystar, will sell you a solid, mid-level Macintosh compatible computer that runs OS X Leopard - the Open Mac. Is this the beginning of another Clone era in Macintosh history?

Probably not in any big way. You see Macintosh OS X expressly says in its EULA that it can only run on Apple-branded Computers. Pystar is most likely hoping that people gloss over that tiny detail. Or it is hoping that Apple likes that it is selling a copy of Leopard with its clones and decides to leave it alone.

The story is bigger than just that, however. Pystar is exploiting a hole that Apple customers have been complaining about for years. Namely that there isn't a midlevel "everyman" Macintosh. The cheapest Mac Pro is $2000. The fastest Mac Mini uses a 2.5 inch hard drive and has integrated video instead of a dedicated card and still costs almost twice as much as the OpenMac. The iMac is three times the cost and has an integrated display - that all people may not want.

The desire is obviously there amongst the people who can only afford a $400 computer - and still want a fast, upgradable machine - that is a Mac.

Now, I am sure Apple is deploying its squadron of lawyers upon the Miami headquartered Pystar as we speak, however, it might do Apple some good in looking into making a PC that matches these specifications.

Or *gasp* letting someone else do it for them.

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