Possible Psystar Mac laptop clone in the works

It looks like Psystar really hasn't been hit by either the economic downturn or the lawsuits Apple has brought against it regarding those "OS X-capable" machines. Adding insult to yesterday's injury -- the announcement of desktops with built-in Blu-ray and NVIDIA's GeForce 9800GT-- it also looks like the company is actively developing a Mac laptop clone, according to an email obtained by AppleInsider. A Psystar spokesperson claims that, "Although there is no mobile open computer at the moment, I can tell you that it is something that is in development," and adds "No release day or price has been set for any potential mobile product line. However I can assure you that at release it will be very competitively priced." Well then -- assuming the quality of the laptops will be comparable to those desktops -- we can hardly wait.

[htd @ Oct 29th 2008 2:58PM]

atom based 'mac compatible' netbook ~$400 could attract millions of users...

[Boards of Canada @ Oct 29th 2008 3:30PM]

Even if an update is problematic, the os86 scene will fix it in no time and even if Steve Job wipe the scene from the surface of the earth, you still have a working computer with Unix or XP... which is quite ok for the bargain price! But of course, as we do not know about hardware quality, I feel one will be best served with a 499$ Dell laptop with the same os86 on it. Just pick a working model on the forum.

[Boards of Canada @ Oct 29th 2008 3:31PM]

Broken comments system, it was for the post below. (Any talk about Apple competition will get you a broken post!! ;P)

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 29th 2008 4:17PM]

Yep. I would immediately get one if everything was compatible and Apple officially supported it....

[Noah Kravitz @ Oct 29th 2008 4:28PM]

It has. Well, dozens if not millions, anyway. It's called the MSI Wind: http://kravvykrav.com/?q=node/33

[HOOPER @ Oct 29th 2008 2:59PM]

Fight the man! I love it. If it looks okay and is priced under $1000 I may see a Psystar laptop in my future.

[Atropos @ Oct 29th 2008 3:08PM]

A THOUSAND? For a laptop that may or may not brick itself with an update? Come on man.

$499, tops. Like the guy above said, netbook style would be the way to go.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Oct 29th 2008 6:53PM]

Word. Gonna have to cost a lot less than that for the risk involved.

Exactly why I don't jailbreak my iPhone. It works as advertised out of the box. Sure I could jailbreak it and get some apps I can't get in the app store, but then I have to live in fear of what'll happen when the next update comes out, and spend all my time 'fixing' my phone rather than having it work... as a phone.

If I didn't like what it did out of the box, I wouldn't have bought it and tried to 'improve' it, I would have bought something else that had the features I need.

[HOOPER @ Oct 29th 2008 8:51PM]

I only said under $1000 because that would make it cheaper than Apple's cheapest MacBook. $499 sounds a lot better to me, too.

[Chewedtoothpick @ Oct 30th 2008 1:50AM]

@Unix wannabe...

You're a unix guru, who is afraid of bricking a pile of garbage? I smell a nasty, rotting, dead fish... You shouldn't buy something and then have to worry that doing what you want with it will cause it to cease functioning. Seriously, I can't see why a person who portends to be of a crowd who are (more or less) informed, yet you are of such diminished intelligence to give in to such a rotten deal.

Seriously I can understand why there are so many 'fanboy' types who are just so against Microshaft, or just so hard for crApple; but to 'put up with it' is simply idiotic. The more who do that, the easier it is for people to get away with it.

[fieldcar @ Oct 29th 2008 3:05PM]

Psystar is like that naked guy running around in the sports arena, and the ref's just cant seem to stop him.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Oct 29th 2008 3:10PM]

Best analogy ever.

[fieldcar @ Oct 29th 2008 3:31PM]

Psystar's secret: Vasoline.

[Boards of Canada @ Oct 29th 2008 3:32PM]

hehehehhe... quote of the day! hehehehe... im still laughing!



heheheeeee...

[Valicore @ Oct 29th 2008 11:02PM]

Until the camera cuts away and a shitload of security guards jump on him and drag him away screaming, never to be seen again.

[phanbouy @ Oct 29th 2008 3:05PM]

HurtBook Pro?

[Minilap @ Oct 29th 2008 3:06PM]

PsyBalls Pro

[phanbouy fan @ Oct 29th 2008 3:07PM]

LOLOLOLOL!

[happy_penguin @ Oct 29th 2008 3:46PM]

I think I'm going to get "Bag of Hurt" embroidered on my backpack.

[iEye @ Oct 29th 2008 4:12PM]

We need to start printing up T-shirts with that slogan....

[wootman @ Oct 29th 2008 8:39PM]

p-p-p-powerbook.

[MarbleMind @ Oct 29th 2008 3:06PM]

Add a MiniPsy and a PsyServe with Mac OS X Server preinstalled et voilà, the impudence culminates.

[thomas @ Oct 30th 2008 3:24AM]

let's not forget the psy-air lol

[skeptical @ Oct 29th 2008 3:06PM]

I think the next progression in this development should be the introduction of retail Psystar stores to sell these amazing clones. Setting up shop immediately next to Apple stores in retail locations would be the deathknell.

[LameDuck @ Oct 29th 2008 3:06PM]

You know what? Good. I hope this company keeps making PCs. I think it's stupid for Apple to still try to sell OSX for their systems only. If your computers are as good as you clam, people will keep buying them. Personally, I'm sick of not being able to get one of their over-priced laptops because I owe some lunch money to my kindergarten teacher. I'm so sick of windows and Apple doesn't want an eager customer. I guess I'm screwed until my company decides to let us use Linux laptops.

[crispybacon @ Oct 29th 2008 3:25PM]

I also wish Apple's products were cheaper, but guess what? You have a choice. You have alternatives, namely, Windows and Linux. What makes you think you're entitled to use a particular product? You make it seem like you're owed the ability to own a Mac. Last time I checked, this is capitalist society. If you want to own a Mac with OS X on it, then you take the steps to be able to afford it. I wish I could afford a Lexus, but because I can't, I make do with a Toyota. Quit QQing and make more so you can afford your precious Mac.

[Boards of Canada @ Oct 29th 2008 3:35PM]

Yeah, get a pc, work with it, become rich, buy an apple and browse the web for the rest of your life!

[WM219 @ Oct 29th 2008 3:37PM]

I converted to OSX in January of last year. I still have a Dell Dimension running Vista premium on the desk next to my iMac for the few apps that I use which require Windows. (Hate trying to use Final Cut or Creative Suite while VMWare is running.) I understand why many people would like to build their own OSX machine. I have always been able to build high performance PCs for significantly less than I could buy from Dell, HP, etc. However, I'd hate for Apple to begin licensing OSX to manufacturers. I have really begun to appreciate the way OSX builds seem so lean without the extensive hardware and legacy support that Microsoft must build in to Windows to accommodate the vast selection of components and peripherals available. Even after bloating the OS with drivers, my Vista machine constantly reminds me that "A driver has been blocked due to incompatibility...". I don't mind tweaking to get a system configured to my liking, but I somewhat resent having to tweak a system to achieve normal functionality. For me, it's just nice that everything works well together right out of the box.

[Boards of Canada @ Oct 29th 2008 3:43PM]

WM209... If you build your own computers, its not out of the box no? You will not get that kind of error from Dell or HP. Even by adding cards (Esata, firewire, graphic...) I never got that message. (but I am not building my own computers of course...)

[WM219 @ Oct 29th 2008 3:46PM]

I don't mind the errors if I built the machine. The driver errors I was referring to are own my Dell Dimension that came with Vista pre-installed.

[LameDuck @ Oct 29th 2008 4:04PM]

@crispybacon: Woooooh there homefry. I don't know who pissed in your cheerio's but you need to calm down. I don't feel entitled to anything and for you're information, I could buy 5 macs right now if Apple had a store closer than 600 miles to me. Apple is the one remming themselves with their shitty line of credit and screwed up software practices. If MS tried to tie Windows to PCs only they produced, the Redmond campus would fall within an hour. Apple dies it, and people line up to go down on Jobs. You know what? Screw you and your attitude. If you are an example of the enlightened Mac user, I'd rather surf the web on Paris Hilton's virgina. An internet compatible crotch is the only reason I could see why that woman is popular at all.

@Boards of Canada: I deal with windows on a daily basis. On my PC I run Linux. My office is Windows, but I want to switch it to Mac. If it was up to me, every PC in the world would run Ubuntu, Gentoo, or Freedos.

[crispybacon @ Oct 29th 2008 4:57PM]

@LameDuck

Look, for the record, I would love for OS X to be licensed for use on off-the-shelf PC hardware, but that's not the case. As long as folks keep buying Macs (and that seems to be the case if you search for the data), then Apple won't have any reason to license their OS. There's demand for their products so why would they take steps to reduce that demand? They licensed the Mac OS in 1995 and guess what happened? Demand for their hardware reduced. They're in the business to make money and they're doing so with a product line that's tightly integrated.

And since you can buy 5 Macs right now, go ahead. No one's stopping you. They offer free shipping so who cares if there's no Apple Store close to you. Complaining about their pricing structure's an old, tired argument.

Also, for the record, I have two home-built PCs and one Mac laptop.

[Zak @ Oct 29th 2008 4:48PM]

Lameduck - that was a horrible analogy. Do you really not get how this works? If MS tried to tie Windows to specific PCs, that would be an antitrust violation because Microsoft does not make PCs. Apple can restrict their OS to their hardware BECAUSE THEY MAKE BOTH OF THEM. Do you seriously not see the difference? Or do you get it now?

If you want to try to make a point that makes sense, go for it. Bitching that Apple's OS only runs on Apple's hardware is just plain stupid. While you're at it, why not bitch that you can't play PS3 games on XBoxes? It's the same damn thing. Blu Ray discs only work on Blu Ray players! I'M SUING SONY.

[LameDuck @ Oct 29th 2008 5:16PM]

*facepalm* "Personally, I'm sick of not being able to get one of their over-priced laptops because I owe some lunch money to my kindergarten teacher." - LameDuck

There is my point. Their line of credit SUCKS. S U C K S! It is so freaking horrible. I have enough credit to by a freaking condo on a beach, but I can't get a Mac? Something is really, REALLY screwed up there. As far as what you think I'm bitching about, you need some reading glasses. I never said anything about their OS being for Macs only other than I think that is a stupid business model, and it is.

As far as anti-trust and crap is concerned. "MS tried to tie Windows to PCs only they produced, the Redmond campus would fall within an hour." Right there it says, "only they produced". I knew some prick would hop out of the Mac camp at me if I didn't include the "only they produced" line, but I never though someone would totally ignore it. Even if a PC and OS are tied by greed, because a MacPro isn't any different from my custom PC now, they can still be charged with anti-trust. How? Say people stop using Windows when Windows 7 is released because they are tired of being MS' booty call. Everyone flocks to Apple. Apple jacks up the price of their PCs because they contain 99.9% more fairy dust than before since, ya know, that is why OSX can run on a Mac and not a generic PC. That would be grounds for an anti-trust lawsuit.

You know what? Forget I said anything. Here I though the Mac crowd was a little more relaxed than the PC crowd, but you guys proved me wrong. Have fun paying 2000 bux for a PC that I can make with 1000 bux and a bag of skittles.

[Mikey @ Oct 29th 2008 5:20PM]

@ Zak. Actually, if MS required Windows to run on a specific type of PC, it probably wouldn't be an antitrust violation BECAUSE Microsoft doesn't manufacture the PC (unless there is some other anticompetitive effect that occured). It is because Apple makes both the OS and the hardware, and (arguably) uses the tying arrangement to charge an artificially high price on its hardware that there is a potential antitrust violation. The fact that Apple couldn't compete in the hardware market without the tying arrangement also supports a finding of an antitrust violation.

Your other arguments are equally asinine. There is no evidence that any exclusivity of PS3 games on a PS3 platform have any kind of anticompetitive effect. Most importantly, most games are made by a developer that is not Sony, so there is no potential tying problems. Even if a game is made by Sony, unless there is some evidence of an anticompetitive effect (i.e. demonstratably higher prices beyond any increase in quality), there is no problem even if it is a tying arrangement (although I doubt Sony has a clause in its license for the game that would prevent someone from hacking an XBox to play its PS3 game). Your Blu-Ray example is even more ridiculous, since the Blu-Ray standard is not tied to Sony hardware. Anyone who pays the license fee for Blu-Ray can make hardware that supports it.

[El Taco @ Oct 29th 2008 5:47PM]

As much as I would love to see that, the problem is that one of the reasons Mac is so good is because it doesn't have driver problems and stuff like that. By specifically selecting what OS X uses, Apple can make sure it runs as smoothly as possible. The reason Apple tries to brick systems not made by them is that they're afraid that if they let one company make computers that run on OS X, then everyone will try to make one, and eventually that will lead to compatibility problems and ruin Apple's good name.

I'm not an Apple fanboy at all: I own a Dell Vostro 1500, never owned an iPod in my life, I have an LG Dare as my phone. what I'm saying is what I believe is the truth.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 29th 2008 6:41PM]

" lameduck@ Oct 29th 2008 4:04PM

Their line of credit SUCKS. S U C K S! It is so freaking horrible. I have enough credit to by a freaking condo on a beach, but I can't get a Mac?"

If your credit is that good why can't you get credit from Apple? Why do you need credit from Apple? Your rant is incoherent. At least you got the "lame" part right. :)

[rp @ Oct 29th 2008 7:00PM]

I didn't know they made Firefox for Paris Hilton's virginia. I don't really like Paris Hilton the person, but I certainly wouldn't mind "surfing" her "web" all day if given the opportunity.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 29th 2008 7:02PM]

I didn't know that Paris Hilton is from Virginia.

[Shyam D @ Oct 29th 2008 7:15PM]

Zak, didn't I tell you stop being a jackass and spreading Legal FUD. You just proved you don't even know what Tying is, so STFU.

[LameDuck @ Oct 29th 2008 7:36PM]

@happy_penguin: My original post was quiet coherent, just that no one seems to want to resist the urge to defend their beloved OS aganst the unwashed masses. The reason is, I currently have no credit cards. I would like to have one and for it to be an Apple card since, if I got a Mac, I would be a big customer for them. I would end up not only getting things for my self, but using it for business purchases. Why they won't give me one, I don't know. I've been told a number of things and I have proven them all wrong. I believe there is some dead beat out there with my name and a SSN close to mine and the idiots in India can't tell the difference between me and that guy.

I didn't make these comments to start a fight, only to show my disdain for Apple's asshattery.

@rp: Actually, I hear that her virgina runs a old version of UNIX and the lynx web browser.

I didn't make these comments to start a fight, only to show how skanky I think this woman is. Oh,and she's as dumb as a bucket of coal-dirt.

[crispybacon @ Oct 29th 2008 8:05PM]

@lameduck

first off, you said you could afford to buy 5 macs. if you have that kind of cash, then why would you need a line of credit? secondly, apple doesn't provide a line of credit. The bank they have a partnership does and the APR sucks just like any other store-offered credit card. Why not go through a bank of your choice and obtain a line of credit that's more friendly to your wallet? If you can't get the type of credit you want because you're deemed a credit risk, then you'll have to take that up with the credit agencies that have documented your credit worthiness.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 29th 2008 8:35PM]

"LameDuck @ Oct 29th 2008 7:36PM

@happy_penguin: My original post was quiet coherent, just that no one seems to want to resist the urge to defend their beloved OS aganst the unwashed masses."

I wasn't talking about your initial comment, I was talking about your rant about not being able to get credit to buy a Mac.

"The reason is, I currently have no credit cards. I would like to have one and for it to be an Apple card since, if I got a Mac, I would be a big customer for them."

Apple doesn't grant credit. The card is secured through Juniper. Why can't you get a different credit card and buy with that?

"I would end up not only getting things for my self, but using it for business purchases. Why they won't give me one, I don't know. I've been told a number of things and I have proven them all wrong. I believe there is some dead beat out there with my name and a SSN close to mine and the idiots in India can't tell the difference between me and that guy."

Perhaps you need to run a credit check. Obviously the securing bank didn't like something on your record.

"I didn't make these comments to start a fight, only to show my disdain for Apple's asshattery."

If you think Apple's closed system policy is asshattish, that's one thing but it has nothing to do with not giving you credit.

[Lucas @ Oct 29th 2008 10:53PM]

well Lame, the product is that good, which is why the stores make like $50k a day selling them. as for the whole 'controlling the hardware' issue, it's part of why they can fix issue, repair the machines without huge costs etc. it's because they know the whole system. not to mention that using a zillion different combinations of parts would muck up the prices even more. massive bulk discounts make things bite a lot less.

[Raphael Salgado @ Oct 29th 2008 3:19PM]

I take it that this is part of their settlement with Apple?

[Oscarv77 @ Oct 29th 2008 4:27PM]

I see what you did there...

[jaysins @ Oct 29th 2008 3:20PM]

I love these guys and their determination, they're like the little engine that could. I'd definitely get a pystar laptop with a decent gpu, 9800 and priced within $500 of the gateway 7811 and I'm sold. Chug on psytar chug on.

[sethmo @ Oct 29th 2008 3:21PM]

Technically they arent really clones as they arent stealing the designs of the computers themselves, just using the OS.

Id rock a Hurtbook Pro myself :)

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Oct 29th 2008 7:12PM]

Good point. They're Mac Compatibles in the way that what we now call a PC (AKA Windows PC) used to be an "IBM Compatible". Then again, they were also called "IBM Clones" despite the open nature of the architecture so I guess there is a precedent for this...

[Josh Ladella @ Oct 29th 2008 3:22PM]

if it doesnt brick upon updates...or brick at all...im selling my macbook...cant stand this x3100 crap when im playing halo...