Psystar's Open Computer Is Bad News

Literally, Psystar is "bad news". I don't recall reading anything positive about the Miami-based company (if they're even based there) and its Mac clones. MacsimumNews is reporting that George Giftos got a very unsatisfying answer from the company (via email) regarding the installation of Leopard, the lack of built-in FireWire and Bluetooth, and more things that Leopard sees as normal features on original Macs.

George Giftos told MacsimumNews that Psystar's Open Compiuter doesn't really sound like a Mac at all. "I use a Mac because it’s intuitive and mostly trouble free. It doesn’t sound to me like the Open Computer from Psystar will fit that bill," he told the website.

In his email sent to Psyatar's support team, Giftos made reference to a few lacking features with the Open Computer, assuring the company that if they can fill up the gaps he'll eventually opt for an Open Pro (the equivalent of Apple's Mac Pro). Not that Psystar should believe a promise like that, nor should they consider it as a positive sign either, but the company had to answer Giftos one way or another.

And so they did...:

"Dear Mr. Giftos,

Thank you for expressing interest in our PSYSTAR Open Computer and Open Pro. We regret to inform you that we are currently not supporting Bluetooth or Wireless in our Open Computers. We are working diligently to better our technology and offer as many choices and options as the public can desire."

As previously revealed, Psystar also doesn't "recommend installing Leopard on your own, it is a much more complex system than installing it on an average Mac Computer. We do not support customers attempting to install Leopard on an open computer, and instead refer them to add a preinstalled version of Leopard in their order," the email reads.

Psystar advertised its OpenMac, now dubbed the Open Computer, telling interested parties that they can either get the system free of any OS and do whatever they want with it afterwards, or have Psystar installing Leopard on it for free, but pay an extra $150. However, it looks like the company is actually forcing people to go for the OS-included package. This was originally revealed by another reader, who went as far as purchasing Psystar's Open Computer, and taping it in action.

"The only difference you may find in the performance of an Open Computer with Leopard and an Apple computer, is that the Open Computer is likely to run it much more smoothly," Psystar assures Giftos, adding that "the technology in most cases is superior." The company is also very confident telling Giftos that he "will most likely not need to upgrade [his] video card for every day use."

But George (apparently) longs for the Open Computer. The guy sent in another email to Psystar support, asking: "If the system is so difficult to install, how would I install future upgrades to the Mac system?" Psystar assured their potential customer that they are "working hard to provide a section on [their] website pertaining to updating the Open Computer." A guide and a list of supported updates is also said to also be included in this section later on.

And, of course, Apple's going to be just fine with it.

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