Apple Killing Psystar, OpeniMac Arrives
A new Argentinian company called OpeniMac is jumping into the Mac-clones foray with the introduction of two new Mac-clone systems, going for $990 and $1710.
Safe to buy from? Chances are, no. If interested though, check out the Google translated page here.
Despite what’s going on with Psystar and Apple’s attempt to put the company into the ground, we’re a little miffed at the fact that more and more Mac cloners are popping up. After Psystar, a offshore company called OpenTech launched its own line of Mac clones. The operation didn’t last very long and OpenTech put itself up for sale shortly after for a quick $50,000.
So far, Psystar seemed to have shown itself as somewhat legitimate, if even you could call it that. OpenTech was definitely shady, so we hold all reserves for OpeniMac. We definitely recommend everyone to stay completely away from OpeniMac.
990 Argentine pesos = 285.80 U.S. dollars
1710 Argentine pesos = 493.65 U.S. dollars
If they tried to refute such lawsuits they would have to argue against their own marketing and claim their computers are indeed just PC's. Which isn't going to look good for them in court, to investors, and to consumers.
However if they don't try to fight such companies as Psystar they could easily find themselves losing more and more business on their Macs as the #1 goal of their new competitors will be to compete in pricing.
RIP OFFS!
And ensuring standard ram (thats $60 to $80) will work in that fickle Apple machine is a risk not everyone is willing to take.
=)
The inflated price point is part of their marketing. There is the retarded notion that Apple is some how quality, and Apple product are some type of God send.
Anyhow, Apple has always front loaded a purchase price with hardware. That is why you can purchase much of it's software, including the OS, for a much lower price. (And a lot of the very nice utilities come free with the OS, giving a good out of the box experience.)
But the hardware is also usually loaded with goodies that make the price pretty comparable to an equally loaded WinPC.
There is a legitimate complaint, however, about the price of product upgrades (such as HD and RAM) as well as a lack of a lower cost machine. They really should put difficult to upgrade parts more in parody with DIY upgrades, tacking on maybe $50 over retail on a hard drive upgrade. Charging what they do for RAM is just ridiculous, but I think those days are coming to an end.
A bad economy can repair a lot of attitudes on pricing, I think!
Ubuntu.
Free software isn't an argument for Macs, it's an argument for Linux. Outside of the simple utilities they provide, that's it. And if this software is supposedly free, Why are they selling it on their website? Because it isn't free. You can't upgrade for free to a newer version, and there aren't any other free alternatives.
I think Apple is trying to distinguish themselves from IBM clones which are commonly referred to as PCs, but I don't think they are trying to say they are not a Personal Computer (PC).
However, I can easily see why you would believe a lawyer would take such an inane argument to court - especially in the US where you have people who do things like patent tax strategies. *shakes head in disgust*
Blackmail anyone?
At least you have the OPTION of getting a HP or Dell PC.. With mac its apple or "GTHO"..
They are not a monopoly, they make a personal computer that competes with the MS Windows and Linux PC's. Saying they are a monopoly is like saying the Wii is one, simply because only one company is making them. The Wii is not because it competes against the Xbox.
Apple spends big money on advertising to sell their product and are understandably annoyed when someone tries to steal their sales. Just because MS Windows and Linux don't care about the hardware (their choice) does not mean Apple does not have to.
So stop complaining and just treat them the same way as someone that has Air Jordan shoes (and does play sports) or has a Gucci anything.
Also, comparing Wiis to Xbox is not the same as comparing Apples and real PCs. Apples have the same hardware as PCs, they just cost a lot more and are designed for slower users. Xboxes and Wiis are both consoles, but they do not share the same hardware. Actualy, Wiis use late 1990s technology while the Xbox uses mid 2000s technology.
Usualy when you buy Jordans, or a nice watch, you get good quality and a good product that looks good. From Apple, you get a product that looks good.... did I leave anything out? I can't say you get good quality from Apple as their technology is so old, it should be mature by the time they use it.
I think people just find it fascinating that people pay 2x for a computer and get half as much. Seriously. Apple is for people that are several classes away from knowing how to run a computer.