04/17/2008, 3:05pm, EDT
Thursday, April 17th
Psystar tries to explain Mac clone fiasco
After stoking massive controversy by announcing an alleged $400 Mac clone, vowing the fight Apple's Mac OS X EULA in Court then rapidly switching its address, leading some to question the authenticity of its claims, Psystar is attempting to clear up some of the confusion. Unfortunately, the company's explanation may raise more questions than it answers. Psystar initially claimed that it would soon deliver a $400 Mac clone, based around a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics. Stating that the machine will be compatible with Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5), the company says it will pre-install the OS and include a special restoration disc, alongside the genuine installation disc. The legality of Psystar's operation is dubious, as Apple's Mac OS X license explicitly states that the software can only be installed and used on an Apple-labeled computer, specifically stating "You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so."
After changing its stated physical address a number of times and suddenly refusing to take orders, the company posted a message on its Web site stating "We're in the process of moving to a new location which is now listed on our contact page. The first new address posted (10481) was in error and our correct address is 10475 NW 28th Street. PSYSTAR was, prior to this past week, not ready to handle the enormous production capacity demanded by the online community. Due to the incredible response we have now expanded to a larger commercial unit to handle the supplies and assembly of Open Computers. THANK YOU for all of your orders."
The company also said its refusal to take orders was due to the fact that its merchant gateway, Powerpay, "dropped the ball" and refused to process any more transactions from our company. Psystar says reverted to Paypal in the wake of Powerpay's decision.
Powerpay tells a different story. According to a News.com report, Louisa Deluca, vice president of loss prevention for Powerpay, said on Thursday that her company dropped Psystar because it violated the terms of its agreement with Powerpay. "She declined to cite specific violations, but said 'there are plenty of reasons why we shut the account off. We did not know that's what he was selling, we learned that yesterday.'"
The company currently claims a 10 to 12 day "build time for all products."
Filed under: Apple, software
Other story tags: Mac OS X, Leopard, Core 2 Duo, Psystar, clone, Mac clone, EULA
, 
, 15
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
Top
subscribe to comments
for this article
That being so, I've always made it a policy to never buy from a company without an established history of doing business (such as apple, amazon, etc) If they are indeed serious about being able to offer such a product they are off to a poor start reputation wise. I think the ONLY way I would buy one of their machines based on the information I have on them would be if I actually physically saw it in front of me. I doubt very much I'd take a chance on ordering one only to HOPE it showd up 10-12 days later.
Even if they delivered on their promises, Apple would shut them down before they shipped a single unit (with the Mac OS pre-installed).
Plus the fact that for very little more you can get a Mac Mini that is legal, has iLife, includes a warranty from a reputable firm and has better better specs.
I think apple is doing the right thing in keeping tight control of their hardware and shutting down the cloners. Thats why their hardware IS superior.
In the meantime, it will relieve a few incredibly stupid people of several hundred dollars at a whack. I can only imagine that PC users and the newly-born are stupid enough to fall for this, but at least it's a testament to how bad the cheapskate mac wannabes want one ...
Doofuses.