The Clones are Coming!

What if Microsoft said you could only install Windows on Dell computers?

As an answer to this question, but regarding Macs, Psystar Corporation this week began selling a series of Mac clone systems without Apple’s blessing. The unauthorized clones marketed under the heading “Open Computing” is an OSx86 compatible hardware platform that is capable of running ‘vanilla’ OS X Leopard kernels.

Why pay more for a Mac you can’t upgrade or buy a used one when you can have an Open Computer for less? The Open Computer can now be purchased with Leopard included and preinstalled.

They don’t quite look the same but have similar specs:

• 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Processor
• 2GB of DDR2 667 memory
• Integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics
• 20x DVD+/-R SATA drive that is Lightscribe-capable
• 4 rear USB Ports

A legal battle will no doubt follow, but the fundamental question still remains: when copying costs nothing, what will people pay for?