Open Tech plans to release Mac clones

I. If the company, Open Tech, states on their site that the computer is capable of running Mac OS X, even if they do not sell the computer with Leopard preinstalled, Apple will have considerable grounds for a lawsuit. Especially if they provide instructions for installing Apple's OS. On the other hand, if their site simply states that it is capable of running any popular OS and do not specifically name Apple or Leopard, they may not have as severe a problem. They could then link to OSX86/InsaelyMac along with ubuntu's site and any number of other sites. Basically what it comes down to legally it that if they provide the OS themselves they violate Apple's User Agreement, if they provide instructions on their site they are liable, and if they openly advertise that it is capable of running Leopard they incriminate themselves.

II. As Krizoitz said Apple is not a Software company, nor are they a Hardware company. However, I'm not sure if "solution" company is the most accurate description either, but it sounds a lot better than saying vertically integrated technology/media service/hardware provider. Apple is not simply in the business of selling computers or specialty software, they are in the media business. Apple's most important piece of software, iTunes, is free. iTunes is the most important because it is the primary means of syncing your iPod, AppleTV and iPhone, as well as purchasing Apps, and an incredible reservoir of music, movies, and TV. Many of Apple's other popular titles revolve around the media as well: iPhoto, iMovie, and MobileMe. Apple's goal, as far as I see it, is to produce hardware that accelerates and facilitates the ease of their media business.

III. Why won't Apple license their OS to run on other systems? The fact that they are know for stability is related to the fact that Leopard is designed to run on a Mac, and Apple probably doesn't want to loose their reputation. However, there is another more convoluted reason. Despite the fact that there are alternatives to Windows, the federal government sees Microsoft's proprietary extensions as possible grounds for Anti-Trust suits. If Apple were to let everybody run their OS, this would provide grounds to free Microsoft from some Monopoly suits. Apple does license some "partners" to sell devices with OS X installed (Axiotron), but they keep it restricted to very few partners and they are required to buy specific components from Apple.

IV. Personally, I would very much like to see Apple release a special version of Leopard (or any future OS) made to install on any machine. If Apple sold it and included a slew of drivers for popular devices, and cut out certain Man specific features, they could stand to make a lot of money if they sold it for more than the standard Mac version.

$620 for a Pentium D? That's insane, especially with the dirt cheap Wolfdales Intel is hawking. WTF. Does that thing even support SSE3? If not, have fun getting OS X on it. Either way, anything pre Core architecture will be as slow as a dead turtle in OS X.

"Open Tech is not selling computers with Leopard pre-loaded. Instead, they provide an OS-free machine and instructions for installing the OS of your choice."

I think we're missing the point here.

They bill their machines being able to run Leopard. Since it will not come pre-installed, what will the installation instructions be. Have they figured out how to install OS X by simply using a Leopard install disc, say one you bought from Apple, or will this require the use of an OSX86/InsanelyMac's Hackintosh verison of Leopard. If so, will they provide the resources to get said Hackintosh verison, links or torrents?

And now we wait for legal to serve the C&D...

Would any of you buy one of those? It's just so... well... uhh... DAMN UGLY! :-)

Apple is NOT a hardware company, its NOT a software company, its a SOLUTIONS company. They offer the hardware + the software as a package deal. Apple is more similar to Nintendo (or Sony and Microsofts game offerings). You don't see people complaining because you can't install the WiiOS on a 360. Why? Because thats not the experience being offered. Just because other vendors have taken a decoupled approach to the OS and hardware does not mean Apple should do the same anymore than Toyota should start selling cars without engines so you can pop a Ford or Honda motor in.

Is the machine in the picture the ACTUAL machine? Because why would you want to run it on that? Looks like crap.

An Intel Pentium D?

Am I reading this right?

Am I still in year 2008?

Or was I taken back to 2006?

it's 2008... go ahead and build a tower featuring a genuine CD burner why dontcha...

OSX is amazing operation system. If people has the right machine why they can't just run this on it. Open Tech is showing that we can have it now, its working because it has same parts and it does not need to cost twice. You can have amazing OSX and if you have some extra budget get design and all benefits that Apple is offering latter if you can afford.

How many there is in Europe who does not even has apple store but knows that this company has the nest to offer. The only problem is that I can't even buy.

Apple please spend some more time to think how much you can change or at least let the other ones to help you to transition and grab the market that is vatting with open hands. What is the choose Windows Vista, because that is what all the stores has?

Those specs, minus the wifi look oddly like a compusa barebones deal going on right now. Right down to the exact case you get with it.

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3947466&CatId=2254

Am I wrong?