Putting Psystar's open computer to the test
Because we think it's informative to see how OS X performs on a computer that
isn't a Mac, Macworld ordered a Psystar Open Computer about a week or so ago.
The machine, which Psystar touts
as a low-cost alternative to Apple's hardware, has arrived in our lab, where
we plan to put it to the test, just like the home-made
Mac built by our own Rob Griffiths.
The system we bought from Psystar features a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor,
2GB of 667MHz RAM, and a 250GB Hard Drive (specifically, a Hitachi Deskstar
in our machine). Though the base model includes Intel's integrated graphics,
we splurged and purchased an Nvidia GeForce 8600GT for US$110 so that we could
test the Open Computer with both cards.
I ordered our Open Computer directly from the Psystar Web site, since that
was the only way to place an order at the time. (Psystar now offers sales over
the phone.) Originally, I placed an order for an Open Computer without OS X
installed--Psystar charges $155 to install the operating system, and I figured
we could save a few bucks on our order with a little do-it-yourself know-how.
But a few days after ordering, I called Psystar looking for a status update.
A live human being answered the phone--somewhat surprising to me, given the
stories
that had appeared about the company immediately after it announced plans to
sell a Mac clone--and put me on hold to look up the order. Moments later, another
Psystar employee came on the line and strongly suggested that I pay to have
OS X pre-installed. He explained that, unlike the Windows and Linux, installing
OS X is a very difficult and complicated process and that the company does not
provide installation instructions for OSX. I reluctantly pulled out the credit
card, and the system shipped out to us a few days later. The system cost us
$399.99, plus $50 for a FireWire card. Add in the $110 graphics card and the
$155 OS installation, and the machine cost $714.99; shipping brought the price
to $751.47.
As I mentioned above, we're currently testing the Open Computer to see how
it performs compared to an honest-to-goodness Mac. But here are some first impressions
gleaned from receiving and setting up the machine...
The Psystar Open Computer, resting comfortably in our LabIf Psystar is all
about giving you the Mac OS X experience at a more affordable price, it was
obvious right away that product packaging is one area where the company is looking
to trim costs. When the box arrived, we found it stuffed with white foam
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