Psystar released a computer originally called "Open Mac" which they renamed to "Open Computer" for a reason - it runs unmodified versions of the Mac OS Leopard and costs only 399 USD.
This is what Psystar have to say about their product. I also hear the Apple lawyers arming their bazookas.
Anybody here considering switching to Mac?
Via Wired Japan.
Intro to Leopard below.
Posted on 2008/04/16 08:53
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
Student
Registered on 2008/04/13 03:25
It doesn't matter what anyone does, I'm always going to be running on windows. Virus filled and buggy as hell, you still get the best control over what you're doing over other things.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Well, if you opt for defending your OS like a fortress, viruses and bugs shouldn't be a problem.
In terms of installed programs, I have three anti-adware (one being used all the time to get rid of unwanted tracing cookies), one firewall and one anti-virus. They are all freeware and are updated when needed.
Also count a registry cleaner and quick file sweeper (that gets rid of files in the recycle bin, temp folder, IE and Firefox cookies, etc.).
I also defragment at times.
Yeah, talk about cautious. ^^;
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
That's preventative maintenance. I use some of the same on my Boot Camp partition.
For most users, all of those utilities are useless on a Mac. I find it's part of the appeal for those who switch.
IT/System Admin
Registered on 2008/01/28 22:33
The only reason Mac's don't get viruses are because they are not targets. Why waste time on something that only runs 5% of industry software?
there was a recent competition to see who could break into a fairly secure computer the fastest. The guy that won did it in less than 5 minutes by exploiting a Mac, not a PC.
student
Registered on 2008/01/09 00:24
5 minutes was just the time for the hack itself, finding a security hole to exploit is where the real work is. This usually takes hours till weeks. The times when OS vendors didn't care much about security are over.
Of course, an OS that can't be hacked in one way or another doesn't exist and even if one did exist there would be still popular third-party software that is exploitable like Flash, MS Office or Acrobat Reader.
Industrial spying is often done by sending an employee of the company the spy targets a mail with a manipulated pdf-, doc- or xls-file attached to it. Once the recipient opens the file it installs a nice trojan or key logger. From time to time secret agencies do this too.
Creative Director
Registered on 2008/02/18 01:49
I think it was 5 min into day 2 that the mac fell (even though it was the first to fall). And it was a QT exploit which seems to be a favorite target. Apple patched 11 security vulnerabilities in the new version of QT after that. Now only 268793.368 to go. LOL, I hate QT anyway.
Registered on 2008/02/17 15:52
Main reason why MAc has no virus is because it copy the security system from Linux and they did a good job.
MST try to copy the same approach for Vista and they screw it up.
Student
Registered on 2008/04/13 03:25
I have nothing of the sort installed. If you know what you're doing you have no need, I install, Scan, uninstall an av every few months. No viruses. Should rename AV's to 'Idiot Protection'
NEET (no, student...)
Registered on 2007/08/03 08:36
add to the fact the whole computer industry runs on windows, it's hard for a mac user at times...
Student/Daemonhunter
Registered on 2007/01/22 06:09
Ahh screw Mac, I'll stick with Windows, makes my life a whole lot easier especially since I have a right mouse button.
That and the tons of games I play on my PC, and mebe somce 'games', all of which wont be available to the Mac.
Student
Registered on 2008/03/08 16:19
yep, im right there with ya on that one
Publisher
Registered on 2007/07/08 14:32
Hate to rain on your parade but Mac has a right mouse button...
Network Admin
Registered on 2007/11/24 04:49
Yes they do, but mac book pro's do not have one unless you add a usb mouse.
Associate Producer
Registered on 2007/05/10 16:50
MBPs do have a right click: Put two fingers on the trackpad and click the trackpad mouse button - there's your right mouse button.
Of course, you can also use fn too :)
Network Admin
Registered on 2007/11/24 04:49
Oh, they have a right click function. Macs have had them for years, it's just not a right mouse button. :p
Student/Evil Overlord
Registered on 2007/10/27 01:26
CONTROL CLICK
I'm surprised not many people know that.
Engineering Student
Registered on 2007/10/23 00:10
it just kind of majorly sucks...
like would gameboy have been better off with 1 button or 2?
are mouses better with 1 or 2 buttons?
If you honestly believe 1 can you explain why?
Student/Evil Overlord
Registered on 2007/10/27 01:26
If you want left click function on a mac then click. If you want right click function then press control then click. I don't think that's hard to do.
Student, Programmer?
Registered on 2008/01/24 13:34
I'm curios as to owning and using a mac is like. I should take avantage of my schools Apple discount.
Lasersword operator
Registered on 2008/03/22 08:03
Student
Registered on 2008/04/13 03:25
Actually it may interest you to know that the 6th form I go to use macs for all the media PC's. I never really bothered using them but maybe I'll head down and test them out.
I still assume they are all crap though.
Highschool Student
Registered on 2007/12/08 10:23
One thing I'd like to clear up is the "One Button" rumor. I am currently using the STANDARD mouse that came with my Mac, and it has both left and right click, as well as a nifty scroll bar in the middle. I'm not quite sure what "control" you're talking about, since Mac makes it much more simple. I can search through files much quicker than I could on windows using my Search function, the "expose" and "dashboard" are both awesome because it comes with weather, calculator, translator, etc, and the expose lets me see every window I have open without moving them around. Overall, I like my Mac more than I did my Windows PC.
Game Development Student
Registered on 2007/12/11 19:26
Unless I switch to Linux, which I probably will eventually, I'm sticking with Windows (and XP at that, lol). While it's technically possible to create and play games on a Mac, creating games is not very well supported and playing games is a hassle, so why bother? I like my computer to be more flexible anyways.
Project Manager
Registered on 2007/10/23 12:11
I love my MacBook Pro. Never crashes, fast as heck. I don't do a ton of development on it but I love it for everything else.
your annoying commercial break
Registered on 2007/11/25 09:34
Aheheh...yeah, Apple's not going to like this. It's a good idea and one that many people have doubtlessly thought about, but it's just asking for trouble.
...I don't know. I use a Macbook with Boot Camp, and I can't really say whether I prefer Windows or Mac. I pretty much spend my time between them evenly. Compatibility aside, Mac is a lot easier to move around in. I just don't like Finder. Windows Explorer is so much better in that regard.
Email & Network Support/Administration
Registered on 2006/12/24 16:42
Beos > everything else
I like My Mac, I like by Windows (I like my XP and am disappointed in Vista), and I like my Linux boxes. I also hat all three just as equally.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
Student/Artist/Film-maker
Registered on 2007/06/04 03:57
Student (for-ev-er)
Registered on 2008/02/21 08:37
No thanks, Linux is for me.
Poor College Student
Registered on 2008/03/14 09:02
the time machine looks very convient
Tami in Germany - Cologne
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
Registered on 2007/12/16 10:42
Had a MacBook Pro, had tons of Windows machines.
In case of web-dev i can say that i can work on both the same.
In case of print design - my choice of InDesign - runs better on a mac once you go to a high amount of sites in the document you layout.
Personaly i do prefer neither, i like both systems.
Mac has just the style and "pro" (?) touch, exspecialy among design people.
At all i still stick around with a iPod touch and i will never change my brand of mp3 players unless apple would really screw up on them for example and thats enough for my "style"-touch. ;)
Nowdays i run a Vista laptop and a Vista main machine and i'm okay with those.
Both systems have their up and downs, just that vista is really screwed, i hope the next windows OS is doing a better job on performance and stuff. :/
student
Registered on 2008/01/09 00:24
Apple currently doesn't offer a good mid-range PC. I mean a computer whose hardware is easily extend- and changeable like a Mac Pro's but containing hardware not as high-end and expensive as the Mac Pro's, but not too low-end either.
It would also be nice not to be looked to a single hardware vendor when wanting to use OS X. Though Apple would probably never approve this as OS X is one of the main selling points to get people into buying their computers and it's limited hardware support is one of the reasons for it's stability.
Currently, I'm not planing to switch but this doesn't mean I won't ever do so.
student
Registered on 2008/01/09 00:24
"locked to a single hardware vendor" NOT "looked" ^_^''
student - digital media
Registered on 2007/05/07 10:15
Haha, I heard about this. Doubt it will last very long. :P
College Student
Registered on 2007/12/17 08:50
I like my Windows machines. I can mix and match parts, salvage parts from junk machines, and play my games without having to go through intermediary programs. Hell. One of my "PC"s is just some parts screwed to the bottom of my desk. I might consider a Mac if I feel like I can have more control over what the sum of its parts are.
Student
Registered on 2007/11/25 06:34
Not a Mac fan either like most people here. But I don't mind getting one to use; some jobs actually require you to have knowledge about Mac, so it is not bad to know how to use one.
Otaku, Computer tech, Student
Registered on 2007/12/07 21:33
I've never really used a mac extensively but I know for a fact that windows is just as good as any mac OS IF! You know how to use windows properly. Windows is extremely flexible and can do anything a mac can do and look just like a mac too. All the stereotypical notions of windows being full of bugs and viruses are only true if you don't know how to use it.
Now that I've ranted that little bit, I wouldn't mind getting a mac and trying it out, it could be better as a media center than a PC. I will eventually see for myself.
Creative Director
Registered on 2008/02/18 01:49
The mac OS is great... it's Apple quality that sucks! It has gone down the drain in the past few years (IMO). I've always ran mac at home and most design houses I've worked for, all Mac... except my current job where they run XP (which I don't mind, well at least you can change the hardware without dealing with Apple).
I'm at that point now where I really need a new machine, but I still have a bitter taste in my mouth from my last powerbook purchase and dealing with apple. Their desktops are over priced anyway. I'll have to look into a hackintosh or just souped-up XP box.
Observer
Registered on 2007/12/28 21:40
Everyone I know who does any sort of IT work seems to eventually switch to a Mac, as if it were like a phase of retirement from computer maintenance.
I don't see myself using solely any single platform, unless a challenger hailing from linuxland improves indefinitely upon linux without being smitten by other parties and can consolidate every computing device we know, without turning into the singularity.
Student
Registered on 2008/01/30 03:15
I would personally love to have a MacBook Pro, I've tried them out a few times in the Apple stores. They are quite nice, but they are way too expensive; plus you can get a comparable PC for half the price. =/
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
Registered on 2006/12/25 12:20
It's a Hackintosh, similar to what I've done to my main PC ^^;
In Insanity Hell
Registered on 2008/03/13 03:33
The reason to choose Windows because it is easier to use...
C. Engineering Student
Registered on 2008/01/08 08:52
I love my Mac, and rarely ever touch Windows except for running eroge games.
Many friends and family went over to Mac after hearing what I said about it, and every single one of them tell me they wish they done it sooner.
I want this OPEN Mac.
I know the majority of those who Bash Macs either never tried it, or used Macs back when they were running OS9 or something and just have bad memories.
Its not like that anymore as OS X, especially after Tiger, has improved 100 fold.
Software Quality Engineer
Registered on 2008/02/22 08:14
I used to be a hard-core Windows user and I still use it at work. When I am at home, I want my beloved MacBookPro. I don't want to spend my precious free time maintaining the OS and protecting it from intrusion. I like Linux, but I get irritated having to search the net and perform loads of command-line installs every time I need a new plug-in or add-on. This Open Mac sounds like it has the best of all three worlds!!
Associate Producer
Registered on 2007/05/10 16:50
That's pretty much where I'm at too. I don't mind using windows at work, but at home, I couldn't stand it. The mac's just so much smoother to actually get what I want done.
The only problem is my fiancee has claimed my macbook pro pretty much as her own, despite her having a dell and eee PC. That's growing old pretty quickly :(
Network Admin
Registered on 2007/11/24 04:49
I like using Macs I do not like programming for Macs. The file system is garbage, garbage I tell you. Now only if they would drop their prices....
Director/Technical Director, Cameraman
Registered on 2007/04/02 13:04
Anytime the Mac vs Pc debate comes up there are always people on both sides who are very opinionated.
The one thing that I don't get is why some people just say they'll never try/switch to a mac. I used to be one of them, but after I got a taste of osx, I had to have a mac.
Yea theres a bit of a learning curve, but overall OSX really is a more efficient operating system (both resource wise, and user wise)
Whenever I go into bootcamp and use XP, I always feel like im missing something, and that its not right.
And yea finder does suck badly, thats why i use Path Finder. Really good program compared to finder, and closer to being on par with explorer.
Graphic Designer
Registered on 2007/11/16 09:58
I've always been a Mac person. I've never owned a PC in my entire life. Our first computer ever was a Mac, and we never even considered going with a PC or Windows. The Mac operating system has always been leaps and bounds better then Windows.
Web Design & Development
Registered on 2007/09/11 09:43
Violating the EULA isn't actually illegal, it just revokes your right to receive support from Apple. They will probably just be pressured heavily in a long string of legal battles until they bankrupt themselves.
Registered on 2008/02/21 02:21
I just switched to a Mac and I'm loving it! Forget about playing games on your PC. PC gaming is dead. Get a PS3 or Xbox instead.
Labyrinth builder
Registered on 2007/12/04 17:28
If I switch (when ?) I dunno if it will be for Mac or Linux. Mac looks good and so upper class but Linux appeals more to my geek side...
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:16
Can mac play .mkv and .avi video files (with helps of codec, of course)?
I have never touched any mac but all this talk makes me feel interested in it, though I won't even think about mac if it can't play those video files. ^^
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
macs dont need extra installations of codecs - VLC plays just about everything.
IT
Registered on 2007/08/23 02:02
VLC is also available on Windows, and other programs, like KMPlayer, whose dont need codecs too.
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:16
The thing I dislike the most about VLC is that I couldn't get VLC to display styled subtitles properly. >_<
Associate Producer
Registered on 2007/05/10 16:50
mplayer sometimes works better for me, but there's still not really amazing mac support for mkv :(
Creative Director
Registered on 2008/02/18 01:49
mplayer works great on my mac... vlc is too picky.
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
i don't like using vlc. personal preference really. i'd rather use media player classic than vlc.
IT
Registered on 2007/08/23 02:02
Mac is for the rich people. Is all about looks, but I think the mac look is snobbish. And why an apple keyboards price is 5* than the pc-s, I really dont know.
On the virus/spyware front: You can easily defend yourself, like D_Blade said.
Associate Producer
Registered on 2007/05/10 16:50
I try to avoid being an Apple zealot/evangelist - but it really isn't about looks.
Even if the box was made out of lollypop sticks and chewing gum, so long as it ran OSX I'd be happy. The sophistication of the OS is the selling point, not the aluminium/plastic container.
Creative Director
Registered on 2008/02/18 01:49
Not being a fan of the all-in-one iMac, I have always bought apple desktops for expandability.. anyway it mostly sits under my desk and rarely see it. So if I can build a PC with whatever parts I want and run OSX on I could careless what the box looks like. ;)
Maybe Apples next mac lineup will be 70's retro avocado colored box.
NEET
Registered on 2008/02/17 09:28
I've always thought Mac was a bit more stable than Windows, though you could do more with Windows. Never gonna go over to Mac. ^^
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
i wanted to try our Mac but i'll still stick with windows. as buggy and a favorite target for viruses as it is, there are some software that i need here which i can't live without ^^;;;
but want i really want is to take the linux plunge =3
student
Registered on 2008/03/25 21:22
I'll use anything, whatever's easier for whatever task, or whatever runs what I want to run.
I prefer the mac for doing presentation works, and the wins for playing me games.
IT/System Admin
Registered on 2008/01/28 22:33
Try gaming on a Mac....you will be sad. Out of all the PC games in a year, you might get 4-5 that work on a Mac. Want to play WoW, you had to wait. Consider yourself lucky they even made a Mac version. Gaming is best on a PC.
Hardware changes or build your own? Better use a PC.
Chef, Full fledged Otaku, Full time Observer.....
Registered on 2008/02/02 00:26
in my opinion, mac users are mostly professionals who do a lot of graphic design or graphic related work...
it is a very powerful working com in my opinion...
can't say much for gaming or other uses though...
オタク by moonlight, Graphic Designer by daylight
Registered on 2007/11/08 03:37
I wonder what motherboard is this Open computer using.
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
I've had the chance to really use a mac with OSX at work for about a week. The experience was on the bad side. Didn't really enjoy using it as I found it to be a bit too restraining. Choice of applications were also limited which led to productivity levels going down. One thing I liked about it was the interface though. Much cleaner and smoother compared to windows. Setting up a network is hard as well. I guess the main problem really with the MAC for me is that it has a steeper learning curve when you compare it to windows. When I first transitioned to windows from my dos days I didn't have the same problems I was having when I was using a mac.
And for those who dissed the pc for having too many viruses...it really comes down to how the user uses it. If you know what you're doing then you really won't have that problem. I have one AV software and the only time I use it is when I plug in external storage devices from other people. I don't do maintenance frequently as well. About once in a month or every two months would be the norm for me. ^^
I'd rather go the linux way than mac IMHO. heheh
searching for work T-T
Registered on 2007/10/11 21:54
I'm basicly married to windows xp and i'll never cheat to it :).
Physics Student
Registered on 2007/02/18 04:47
I've always wanted to switch to Mac... preferably I would have both and use them for different functions. I've been saving up for ages T___T
Gunslinger
Registered on 2007/07/11 07:29
Macs are ridiculously overpriced where I live, so unless you're willing to spend $1770 on a 2.1GHz Macbook I wouldn't recommend on getting one here.
