"Psystar slaps Apple around, releases Mac clones with Blu-ray / GeForce 9800GT"

[Firefly2002]

It's good to have them around because it forces Apple to offer a comparable product rather than withholding certain releases.

I totally agree with this.

 

[ryanplusplus]

I don't see how I was diverting the argument in my last post. It appears you want to argue just for the sake of arguing.

I'll admit that I love to argue, but I was simply trying to state that you kept trying to change the focus of the argument without actually responding to any counter-arguments. In a nutshell, your first argument was whether Apple overcharged for standard parts, but over time you lost focus and tried to argue that I was trying to show that the MB was 'superior' and that you didn't think the MB was a good value. You wouldn't happen to be a politician, would you?

 

[corinhorn]

If Apple has yet to support Blu-Ray and does not offer a reasonable low price mini tower by the time I need to upgrade, I'm definitely buying a Psystar or other clone.

I am sick and tired of Apple's manipulations and lack of product offerings. Yes, I love Mac OS, but will not continue to buy Mac Pro's only because everything else is lacking.

I am a stock owner by the way, but I resent Apple's manipulations of its customers and lack of product offerings, as well as unacceptable refresh of what they do offer.

I have mixed feelings on the matter. Whether you like it or not though, this has been Apple's method of operation for over 10 years now and it is unlikely to change.

 

[ryanplusplus]

I've wanted to hack a machine, but I agree, what a pain. I guess one man's hurt is another's pleasure.

When I really want to dig around in my OS and tweak it to get it to work right, I use Linux. If I want to use my computer, I stick to OS X. Many of the advantages of OS X are lost if you have to use it like Linux.

 

[belvdr]

I'll admit that I love to argue, but I was simply trying to state that you kept trying to change the focus of the argument without actually responding to any counter-arguments. In a nutshell, your first argument was whether Apple overcharged for standard parts, but over time you lost focus and tried to argue that I was trying to show that the MB was 'superior' and that you didn't think the MB was a good value. You wouldn't happen to be a politician, would you?

Oh no you don't! How dare you call me a politician!

Yeah, I probably lost focus. Long day and I'm dead tired. Plus, getting questions from several people at once, I couldn't keep track of anything.

 

[ryanplusplus]

Oh no you don't! How dare you call me a politician!

Yeah, I probably lost focus. Long day and I'm dead tired. Plus, getting questions from several people at once, I couldn't keep track of anything.

NP

 

[belvdr]

When I really want to dig around in my OS and tweak it to get it to work right, I use Linux. If I want to use my computer, I stick to OS X. Many of the advantages of OS X are lost if you have to use it like Linux.

I run Ubuntu 8.04 on that 1525. Works fine with no issues. We're able to use it reliably, partly because I know my way around without concern.

 

[corinhorn]

When I really want to dig around in my OS and tweak it to get it to work right, I use Linux. If I want to use my computer, I stick to OS X. Many of the advantages of OS X are lost if you have to use it like Linux.

Wow, that sums up my feelings rather well.

 

[ryanplusplus]

I run Ubuntu 8.04 on that 1525. Works fine with no issues. We're able to use it reliably, partly because I know my way around without concern.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some good Ubuntu. I actually used it exclusively for about six months before getting my first MacBook (Dapper? Edgy? I forget what it was then). I still dabble every now and then, but I am missing a lot of things I'd like in an every day OS. Most of these things can be made to run, but when I'm busy with school/work, I love to be able to have things 'just work'.

 

[deriko100]

Theres no reason OS X doesnt handle blu-ray its only good for windows and mayb linux not sure.

 

[inkswamp]

Please tell me that Psystar thought to call this the "bag of hurt" model.

 

[bug67]

Good on Psystar! I've been shopping for a Blue Ray drive computer. Apple ain't it! Yes, OS X is the best operating system but, they are way behind the times everywhere else IMO.

 

[137489]

Well... I finally got onto Psystar's website. It is as slow as anything.... Prices looks good and I spec'd out a pretty good machine at a good price.

truthfully, I worry about issues like compatibility with native OS apps, however I cannot find anything that says this is a modded OS.

I am not going to buy on though. I rather have a fully supported end to end solution where the OS and the hardware were made for each other.

It will be interesting how this all plays out.

I wonder if Apple is doing something to ping-bomb their website, or is psystar's server hosted on dialup..... man is it slow and keeps erroring out.

 

[TheReef]

Now really, why can't Apple release something like this, for a decent price.

 

[corinhorn]

Now really, why can't Apple release something like this, for a decent price.

I don't think it's because they can't, it is because they won't. Apple chooses to ignore certain consumers.

 

[Stridder44]

There's nothing hard to this. I could put one together myself as they are industry standard parts. I wish Apple would modify the EULA so I can buy their software and install it legally. I would pay more than a Mac user just so I could run it on whatever hardware I want. I want the OS, not their overpriced hardware.

Then your precious Apple would lose a significant amount of money. Apple is a hardware company, and make a majority of their money off it. Nothing against Psystar, just saying.

And when Dell starts selling computers with OSX, this will be relevant.

Keep dreamin.

 

[MindBrain]

There's nothing hard to this. I could put one together myself as they are industry standard parts. I wish Apple would modify the EULA so I can buy their software and install it legally. I would pay more than a Mac user just so I could run it on whatever hardware I want. I want the OS, not their overpriced hardware.

Yea I agree, also though, I don't see how it would hurt apple, for 2 reasons. They would be getting the money selling copies of OS X. And people would still buy the hardware cause it's that good.

Apple could even charge extra for the unrestricted version.

 

[corinhorn]

It's good to have them around because it forces Apple to offer a comparable product rather than withholding certain releases.

I totally agree with this.

Maybe I missed a keynote, but I have not seen any Apple products produced as a result of Psystar. Apple is sticking with their business models, price points, and methods of operation—Psystar is not an Apple competitor.

 

[corinhorn]

Yea I agree, also though, I don't see how it would hurt apple, for 2 reasons. They would be getting the money selling copies of OS X. And people would still buy the hardware cause it's that good.

I think this idea was proven harmful to Apple during the clone wars.

 

[kingtj]

Oldest story in the book, right there.....

Apple doesn't WANT to sell you the software to just load and run on any old Wintel box, though, because they're in the business of selling the complete solution.

I realize it can't happen because Sony chose a really proprietary platform for it, but imagine the PS3 used something closer to regular PC motherboards inside. Do you think they'd be agreeable to just selling you the code to load and run on any standard PC? Of course not! Again, they view the definition of a Playstation 3 as the sum total of the hardware and included software/OS, integrated together.

As I've explained in detail already on another message thread, Apple sells you the whole "experience" ... not just a portion of it. If they sold OS X for anybody to try to run on any system out there, people's opinion of the OS would drop sharply, as they wondered why it kept freezing up on garbage hardware. (EG. OS X sucks... I can't get video chat to work in iChat with my Sayio-Trakasta brand USB video-cam I picked up at Wal-Mart for $19!)

There's nothing hard to this. I could put one together
myself as they are industry standard parts. I wish Apple would modify the EULA so I can buy their software and install it legally. I would pay more than a Mac user just so I could run it on whatever hardware I want. I want the OS, not their overpriced hardware.

 

[MattInOz]

Theres no reason OS X doesnt handle blu-ray its only good for windows and mayb linux not sure.

It does it depends what you call blu-ray.
on OS X, Vista, or some Linux Flavors
I can plug in a external drive and read data.
I can plug in a external burner and write data* (*with toast)
I can open the machine up and replace the internal drive and do both of the above.

However to watch DRM content written to disk by a media company.
my options are
Vista
Take a kick in the nuts and not have the of quality a paid for.
Break the DRM first storing on the Hard Drive.
buy a BluRay standalone player and big screen TV.
Or just rent it on DVD and wait for the mess to be sorted.

 

[editguy]

You can't compare the two because they are too different. You must spec a competitors' machine to match a Mac. Compare the new MB to the Dell XPS M1330scfasdv-00:d3 (13") to the new MB. You have to customize it to match the MB's specs as close as is possible.

Well, I did exactly that last spring when I decided to start looking at the possibilty of moving my business purchases away from Apple (after nearly 25 years). I bought an Asus laptop with the same processor, equal video card, equal hard drive, more ram than the entry level MBP, with a 7 multicard reader, VGA, S-vid, DVI & HDMI out, 5 USB ports, 16x DVD/CD burner, ethernet & modem ports, webcam, wireless, bluetooth, firewire and an expresscard reader. In addition, it has a fingerprint reader (which works flawlessly). It was nearly $700 less than the entry level MBP. It was in the small form factor that I want. I'm using it to run Adobe CS3 and it has functioned way above my expectations. No problems with Vista or program crashes. The only negative is that it's not an aluminum case, but it is very well constructed and, I think, nice looking. It also came with a 2 year global warranty and 1 year, theft and accidental damage replacement warranty; no extra charge for either.

So, my point is that, at certain levels anyway, they can build an equivalent quality product for less money. At the very top levels like the Mac Pro, I agree that there's not a lot of difference in price. So, I don't see why Apple can't build a midrange tower computer and still make money.

 

[danBARKER]

Apple should have competitors!

They should be allowed to sell these. The only way to get better is to have competitors who come up with ideas and then they can make their computers better. Anywhere, most people would still buy Apple. I would, I don't even know where the hell to get these from.

 

[PeterQC]

Theres no reason OS X doesnt handle blu-ray its only good for windows and mayb linux not sure.

You sir are an ignorant. Why wouldn't Blu-Ray be good for Mac OS X? Every computer in the apple range (expect the mini) is now equipped with cards that are more then enough able to handle HD content. Apple has just to do one update, and Blu-Ray could be played. You would just an blu-ray compatible optical drive.

 

[econoline06]

Psystar is doing just that though, otherwise they would hardly be mentioned.

They aren't hardly mentioned...it is only on the geeky forums that people talk about this stuff.