Daily Debrief: The stealthy Apple clone
^M00:00:00
[ Music ]
>> I'm Kara Tsuboi, CNET News.com. I'm joined by Tom Kravitz, staff writer for News.com. And today we are talking about Psystar, the Open Computer that can essentially be called the Apple clone. Tom, why don't you tell us a little bit about it for those who are not familiar?
>> Sure. Well Psystar is a company in Miami, and they are making a product called the "Open Computer." It's basically a off the shelf, sort of, you know, if you go down to Fry's and you want to build your own desktop PC -
>> Sure.
>> They've got the chassis and the motherboards and all that stuff down there. Well, these guys pretty much did that, except the took the additional step of installing MAC OS on it, which is not officially authorized by Apple, but is possible if you are willing to download a little bit of code that you might find a bit torn, or something like that.
>> So they've got this box. Like, they've got the machinery - the hard drive.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> But installed with Apple OSX. How is Apple not making a stink about this?
>> Well, you know, it's interesting that they haven't yet. I mean because it seems that they have a clear right to do so under their terms of their software licensing agreement. But the thing is that these software licensing agreements, even though it says it in real official looking print, it's not the law.
>> Hmm.
>> You know, it's - the whole general concept of these software licensing agreements does not really seem to have been tested in a US court in a very long time. You know, long before the industry became mature as it is today. So the specific provisions of these licensing agreements have been knocked down, like if they violate certain local laws, or something like that. But the general concept is ripe for a challenge. I mean the thing is, is a little company in Miami with maybe 50 people equipped to take on a company like Apple? And so that's what we're sort of waiting to see, I guess.
>> Right. But as these machines get more and more popular, and they sell more of them, perhaps they could actually be a threat to Apple.
>> Well, that's the thing. I mean Apple has sort of tolerated the home user doing this for a while.
>> Sure.
>> Like, ever since - when Apple switched to Intel's chips in 2000 - well, they announced the switch in 2005. And in 2006 the first products came out. People started doing this. Individuals just hanging out in their basements, or whatever did this. And Apple didn't really come after them because they're just sort of hobbyist people, and you can't actually go out and sue. The RRIAA has showed us how bad that works. But when a company's making a profit off your product in a way that you did not authorize, then all of the sudden, it's a little bit different. So I'm sort of surprised that we haven't seen any moves from Apple. Apple has not officially commented on it and apparently has not even contact Psystar yet to even say hello.
>> Hmm.
>> So that's pretty interesting, yeah. And I don't know. We're gonna have to see how that evolves.
>> Now, you've been using one of these Psystar computers for about a good month, is that right?
>> Yeah.
>> And what do you think? How is it performs?
>> Well, you know, it's a Mac. I mean this is the thing that it's hard to remember sometimes that you're not using a Mac because once you - if you're staring at the screen all day, and all you see is the familiar look and feel of the software then that's what you know. And then you get up from your desk and you look and you see an ugly box underneath your desk, and you're like, "Oh, yeah. It's not a Mac." But, you know, for all intents and purposes, in the day-to-day usage of it, it's the same thing.
>> So it doesn't quite get the style points that...
>> No.
>> Apple products have.
>> Yeah. And one thing that Apple has always insisted on, for years, is that what makes a Mac a Mac is the combination of the hardware and the software. And that's true to a certain extent. I mean, you know, we should be clear that this is not a high-end, premium computing experience that you're getting with one of these things. Apple's products might have better quality in the long term. They certainly have better support. But at the same time, if you're looking to get into a Mac for cheap, this works.
>> And cheap, how much cheaper would you say that this tower is versus and Apple hard drive, or an Apple.
>> Well, they are selling an Open Computer, with Mac OS installed, for $550.00, thereabouts.
>> Wow.
>> And if you want a Mac Mini, which is the basic Apple system that's out there, with out a display or anything like they, you're gonna pay more. So...
>> Considerably more.
>> Well, a couple hundred bucks, yeah.
>> Couple hundred, Yeah. Hmm.
>> Yeah. And if you want, you know, the iMac. The cheapest iMac is at 999. So you know, I mean that's with the display, but still.
>> Yeah. Interesting. Well, thank you very much, Tom.
>> Thank you.
>> I look forward to reading your updates, and I'm sure we'll be hearing more as Apple discovers the role of Psystar. Tom Kravitz. I'm Kara Tsuboi, CNET News.com This had been the Daily Debrief. We'll see you next time.
^M00:04:13
Up Next
The Missing Piece to Apple's Eco-Friendly Mission
Up Next
The Missing Piece to Apple's Eco-Friendly Mission
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Apple and Disney's Unique Bond: Why Vision Pro Needs the Mouse
Apple and Disney's Unique Bond: Why Vision Pro Needs the Mouse
The Ocean Cleanup's System 03 Collects Plastic Pollution at Record Levels
The Ocean Cleanup's System 03 Collects Plastic Pollution at Record Levels
Latest iOS 18 Rumor Roundup: New Designs, AI Tricks
Latest iOS 18 Rumor Roundup: New Designs, AI Tricks
Apple to Talk AI in June: This WWDC Is a Big Deal
Apple to Talk AI in June: This WWDC Is a Big Deal
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
Everything Just Announced at Google's AI Health Event
Everything Just Announced at Google's AI Health Event
Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
The Missing Piece to Apple's Eco-Friendly Mission
The Missing Piece to Apple's Eco-Friendly Mission
First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e
First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e
Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For
Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Testing BruMate's Leakproof Tumbler
Testing BruMate's Leakproof Tumbler
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro