Mac clones are back and are cheaper, faster, than the Mac mini

[NewsHottie]

Apple shut down its Mac clone program, which licensed its operating system to other hardware companies, ten years ago, but recently a company called Psystar announced that it would sell inexpensive Mac clones running OS X without Apple's approval. The computers are shipping now, and according to tests done by Apple guru Jason D. O’Grady, Psystar's $399 computer ($550 with Leopard pre-installed) "trounced" the $599 Mac mini, Apple's official budget option. It also compares favorably to Apple's portable options, like the MacBook and MacBook Air.
If this sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen to you, it is. Leopard's terms of use require that the user install it on a Macintosh. Psystar claims that Apple's rules violate monopoly laws. Apple will almost certainly sue Psystar, though since it hasn't responded yet some are speculating that the company will just issue a system update that just won't work on Psystar's computers. If Psystar prevails in this battle, however, it's possible that consumers everywhere could benefit by being able to run a great operating system without having to pay a premium for a fashionable exterior.
Psystar, via The New York Times


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