We don't suppose there's any friendlier way to put this: Open Tech Inc. is setting itself up for an Apple lawsuit, without any of the nice "product people will want to buy" stuff to balance out the equation. See, Open Tech thinks you're an idiot, and that you'll buy one of their "open computers" that can run (gasp!) OS X, XP, Vista or Ubuntu -- just like almost every other PC on the market today. We're guessing they figure that as long as they aren't loading OS X onto the computer themselves, they won't have any trouble from Apple, but that's where they go wrong. In addition to the EULA and copyright allegations, Apple's
complaint against Psystar has claims for inducing copyright infringement and infringing on Apple trademarks by advertising non-Apple machines as compatible with OS X which is exactly Open Tech's ploy here. Mix that in with some crappy specs, an August-ish launch timeframe and no pricepoints to speak of, and you have one of the least desirable computers known to man. And hopefully a fun lawsuit for us to enjoy.
posted July 22nd 2008 6:04AM
Laurie, where were you when Apple licensed their OS out to clone makers like Power Computing and Radius? I don't have to guess at what happens when Apple licenses their OS - I already know. Because they already tried it once. You know what happened?
Everybody stopped buying Macs and started buying clones instead. That's exactly what you said isn't going to happen, right? Yes, people will absolutely stop buying Macs and start buying clones. Better options like midrange towers and cheaper prices, you betcha. And again, this isn't a guess. This is based on FACT. It's ALREADY HAPPENED. I don't HAVE to guess.
And yes, Apple makes damn near all their money on hardware, not software. They bundle the OS for free on Macs. They bundle iLife for free on Macs. How many people actually buy the OS separately? And for that matter, do you really think $129 is the same amount of money as $3,000? iPods, iPhones and Macs. The vast, overwhelming majority of Apple's income comes from hardware. NOT software. "patently untrue" my ass.
Is it not possible that Apple's management just completely botched everything up the first time they tried to do Mac clones. What's to stop Mac from licensing Mac clones, but charging a much higher price for the OS for clones and continuing to offer the OS for free when you buy from Apple? (I believe the answer is "nothing"). Apple could also charge extra for OS upgrades for Mac clone users. Then, everyone would be playing in a competitive marketplace, and the best hardware maker would win. But alas, it appears Apple is too scared to believe it has the better hardware.
Price for the home system (pictured in this article) is listed somewhere on their web page (hint, click on Webstore) as $620. I am not sure if that is US$ or not though.
Like any other PC? Um find me drivers for my 8800 GX2 for osx....COUGH...
sure thing, nvinject. http://nvinject.free.fr/
I have this one question though, supposed Apple is forced to allow other people to install their OS on different devices, would this also force other video game companies to do the same as well?
microsoft is making money because you can run windows xp on macs but why cant you run mac on xp? hmmmmmmmmm
does this mean that stevie is being selfish? lol
besides macs are awful rubbish compared to computers
£1000+ for a pentium? don't think so (imac(not imao))
i perfectly understand mac uses little resources, but come on.
and as for open tech? it's like giving mac an axe to chop two trees down
China has "counterfeited" a BMW X5. The MacPro is next. This is too bad for Apple. I hope they fight HARD on this.
This sudden 'interest' in taking OSx86 to a mainstream level only means one thing.
1) Apple never had us type in a 25 digit "Serial No" like Microsoft did. This will end in some way. No more of buying one copy of the OS and putting it on all your machines.
2) The Chinese baddies are probably pumping out Apple Computers left and right, right now, before Apple even gets a real chance to get a foot-hold into the country. The US may try to "illegalize" this here but the Chinese are going to absolutely ignore any copywrite infringement. Too bad. I'm sure in "Snow Leopard" there is going to have to be a change in licensing.
3) The Apple "box" used to be the HW key for it's software. They will (IMHO) start putting Serial No's somewhere on their MB's in a very secure way (1024 bit encryption), that keeps the system from installing (or working) if it doesn't find it's key. Wait for that software to be in iTunes or other software (trojan style) that disables the rest of your machine if it finds itself not running on Apple HW.
I think Apple wants to be open, as long as they're not being stolen from.
Sure, Apple could make a version of OS X for the PC and they would make loads of money, I know I'd buy it. But sales of Mac's would drop a lot. If you want OS X, buy a Mac. It's only fair. I am personally saving up for my first Mac :)
It is not illegal to install OSX on a machine other than a mac...
install on mac then use on PCX86