Reader Receives Psystar Open Computer, Tapes It in Action

Proof that Psystar's Open Computer is a natural at running Leopard comes from a guy named Patrick (Whiskeyfrown), who is currently using Mac OS X 10.5 on his machine. He taped the booting process and yes, the Open Computer works as intended. He was also extra careful to show that the video is legit. Read on for the full story.

Patrick owns what Gizmodo.com's Jason Chen calls "one of the few Psystar Open Computing machines that have made it into the wild, and he was generous enough to make a video showing the machine (including the connections in the back to the monitor to show that it's legit)," the editor reports. "The thing boots up and runs pretty damn fast, says Patrick, but Software Update won't recognize it so you won't be able to patch. System Profiler thinks that it's a Mac Pro," Chen notes.

But there are even more drawbacks with Psystar's machines than just the Software Update issue. A MacFixIt reader received an email from Psystar's support team which clearly states that the Miami-based Mac clone maker doesn't support Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard reinstallation on its Open Computer.

Although 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, the company seemed (and still does) to be actually forcing people into going for the OS-included package.

"We absolutely do not support customers attempting to install the Leopard operating system on our Open Computer themselves," says the note from Psystar support. "This is due to a difficult process that we go through to get Leopard to function on our computers. We encourage you to purchase an open computer, and select the option to have Leopard Pre-installed."

The reader asked what options he had should he experience a major system failure requiring the reinstallation of Leopard MacFixIt says Psystar suggested he returned the computer to the company. Psystar claims that shipping the computer back to them is the only option available. Also, "If the HDD dies, you can ship it to us for $50 plus shipping, so we can replace it for you," Psystar support is quoted as telling the MacFixIt reader.

The video-proof that Psystar's Open Computer works as promised is available below.