Monday, July 21,2008 @ 11:45am
Open Tech joins Mac clone race
A new company says it is joining the world of Mac clones, according to reports. Open Tech claims to be developing a new PC designed to run any one of several operating systems, including not just Windows XP and Vista, but Ubuntu and Mac OS X Leopard. Though people will be able to customize their hardware once the machine goes on sale, a tentative configuration includes a 3.4GHz Intel processor, a 500GB hard drive, and 3GB of DDR2 RAM. No release date has been set.
Open Tech says it is fully aware of the legal problems incurred by Psystar, another Mac clone vendor, and intends to avoid them. Rather than preload a PC with Leopard -- a violation of Apple's licensing terms -- Open Tech says it plans to simply configure a system for the intended OS, and provide a "do-it-yourself" kit that will help with whatever OS a customer buys separately.
Some doubt has been cast on the validity of the company, as its website uses a .tk domain, belonging to the Pacific island of Tokelau. A traceroute has meanwhile proved inconclusive, though it suggests the company could be based in the Netherlands.