Psystar makes computers that run OS X. They do this without permission from Apple, and the two companies have been battling in the courts over the question of whether this is legal for a while. Generally, Psystar computers, like most hackintosh systems cost less than a full fledged Mac from Apple. But that’s because they have cheaper components, which means they might not perform as well as a genuine Mac under all circumstances.

Now MacRumors is reporting that Psystar could be working on a product that Apple has so far refused to produce: An OS X netbook. Sure, you can already install OS X on a variety of existing netbooks with mixed results. But that requires either patching an OS X installation disc or downloading a hacked disc image from the internet and going through the work of transforming a Windows or Linux netbook into one that runs OS X. The appeal of Pystar computers is that all the hard work is done by the computer maker. All you have to do is shell out some cash to get a working hackintosh.

I can’t imagine Apple’s going to be happy about this development. But what’s the company going to do? Sue Psystar? Well, yes. Probably. But Psystar execs have repeatedly shown that they’re not afraid of a fight.

via SlashGear

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5 replies on “Hackintosh maker Psystar developing a netbook”

  1. I agree with Canada, (a phrase I never thought I find myself saying). Macs are cool. I’m on my MacBook right now as I type this. But the real appeal of Macs are not the magic parts they use – but the operating system. Having made a few Hackintosh Netbooks myself, I can tell you that the end product is very nice indeed – and much cheaper than anything Cupertino had made in China. (When my MacBook was sent to me, I tracked it as it was shipped from China, so I know for a fact that’s where they are made.)

  2. “hackintosh systems cost less than a full fledged Mac from Apple. But that’s because they have cheaper components, which means they might not perform as well as a genuine Mac”

    Forgetting something? It’s called “Apple tax”. Components are not necessarily cheaper. Apple branding makes the same somponents “more expensive”. And the “might not perform as well as a genuine Mac” part is mostly FUD. Apple does not have a magical parts factorythat makes better components. Their laptops and other components are all made in China or Taiwan, by the same companies that produce Dell’s/HP/etc parts….

  3. File this one in the “why didn’t I see this coming?” file. If Psystar can keep from getting squashed by Apple they could make a killing on OSX netbooks.

    In all honesty it really isn’t a bad deal for Apple either. They get to sell a lot of OS licenses but don’t have to support the hardware and cannot be blamed for a poor experience. I doubt their lawyers will see it that way though.

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