Hardware

Psystar Sends a Message

By Matt Pippen ⋅ April 28, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

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If you’ve been following Mac news you’re no stranger to the ability to run OS X on non-Apple computers with a bit of hacking. Psystar has made this simple and available to all with the introduction of their “Open Computer.” The idea is to make a computer that runs OS X with faster components and a lower price. However, there is much more to Open Computer then a non-Apple computer running OS X.

Psystar, intentionally or unintentionally, is sending a very bold message to Apple - “We want more affordable Macs.” There are many in the Mac community that will see that sentence and think, “It’s worth it to pay thousands for my high quality MacBook Pro.” Those people forget that not everyone can afford a $2,000 dollar computer, no matter how amazing it may be.

The Open Computer is bringing a voice to those who want a Mac as their computer but simply can’t afford one. Apple for so long has kept the prices of its computers and other certain products fairly inflated above the commonly perceived price level. It is very obvious from Psystar’s description of the Open Computer that this is in their marketing (see quote).

When comparing base configurations, the Mac Mini costs 150% of the price of the OpenMac while offering poorer performance, smaller storage space, and RAM. Not only that but the Mac Mini doesn’t have the option for an nVidia GeForce 8600 video card like the OpenMac does so playing games on it is a lost cause.

The market share of Apple would grow at an even quicker rate if they would simply wake up to some of these obstacles to computer buyers.

Apple, the first major carrier of the message has spoken. Will you listen?

Source [MacRumors]