New Psystar Mac clones

Psystar has issued a defiant announcement regarding its Mac clones, claiming an advantage over Apple's own computers. The company says it is now shipping Mac OS X-ready PCs with both Blu-ray drives and GeForce 9800GT video cards, neither of which are available as an option on any official Macs. Psystar is particularly critical of Apple CEO Steve Jobs' comments during the recent MacBook launch, which described the Blu-ray format as "a bag of hurt."

"Blu-ray has already won the format war," reads a statement issued by Psystar president Rudy Pedraza. "Not only is there fully functional and mature support for Blu-ray in other operating systems but you can now rent Blu-ray discs from almost any rental chain. Blu-ray has become pervasive technology that is being widely adopted by consumers everywhere." Pedraza further observes that Blu-ray burning is useful in backup or archival, since even a single-layer Blu-ray disc is capable of holding 25GB.

It is unknown how long Psystar may be able to keep selling clones with the hardware, however, as it is currently embroiled in lawsuits with Apple over the legality of using Mac OS X. Apple alleges that Psystar's Open Computer is a violation of Mac OS X Leopard's license agreement, which stipulates that the OS can only be installed on authorized first-party systems. In a countersuit, Psystar has accused Apple of maintaining a monopoly on Mac sales, thereby inflating prices and discouraging competition. Recently, Psystar attorney Colby Springer denied the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.

by MacNN Staff